Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200B and -200F Series Airplanes Powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D-70 Series Engines

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 4, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10147-10149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4589]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-23-AD; Amendment 39-13059; AD 2003-04-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200B and -200F Series 
Airplanes Powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D-70 Series Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-200B and -200F series airplanes 
powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D-70 series engines, that requires 
repetitive detailed inspections of the pylon skin and internal 
structure of the nacelle struts adjacent to and aft of the precooler 
exhaust vent for heat damage (discoloration), wrinkling, and cracking; 
and corrective action, if necessary. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to find and fix such damage, which could result in 
cracking or fracture of the nacelle struts, and consequent reduced 
structural integrity and possible separation of the strut and engine 
from the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective April 8, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 8, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tamara L. Anderson, Aerospace 
Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 917-6421; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to Boeing Model 747-200B and -200F 
series airplanes powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D-70 series engines was 
published in the Federal Register on November 27, 2002 (67 FR 70875). 
That action proposed to require repetitive detailed inspections of the 
pylon skin and internal structure of the nacelle struts adjacent to and 
aft of the precooler exhaust vent for heat damage (discoloration), 
wrinkling, and cracking; and corrective action, if necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Explanation of Editorial Change

    We have changed the service bulletin citation throughout this final 
rule to exclude the Evaluation Form. The form is intended to be 
completed by operators and submitted to the manufacturer to provide 
input on the quality of the service bulletin; however, this AD does not 
include such a requirement.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule with the change previously described. The FAA has determined that 
this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 7 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 6 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,880, or $480 
per airplane, per inspection cycle.

[[Page 10148]]

    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct 
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a 
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial 
number of small entities under the criteria of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2003-04-11 Boeing: Amendment 39-13059. Docket 2002-NM-23-AD.
    Applicability: Model 747-200B and -200F series airplanes powered 
by Pratt & Whitney JT9D-70 series engines, certificated in any 
category; as listed in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
747-54-2210, dated December 19, 2001.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To find and fix heat damage of the pylon skin and internal 
structure of the nacelle struts, which could result in cracking or 
fracture of the struts, and consequent reduced structural integrity 
and possible separation of the strut and engine from the airplane; 
accomplish the following:

Repetitive Inspections/Corrective Action

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
detailed inspection of the pylon skin and internal structure of the 
nacelle struts adjacent to and aft of the precooler exhaust vent for 
heat discoloration, wrinkling, and cracking, per the Work 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-54-
2210, dated December 19, 2001, excluding Evaluation Form. Repeat the 
inspection at least every 18 months.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''

    (1) If any sign of heat discoloration is found, but there is no 
wrinkling: Before further flight, do a conductivity test of the 
discolored area(s) per the service bulletin. If the conductivity 
test is within the limits specified in Figures 3 and 4, as 
applicable, of the Work Instructions of the service bulletin, and no 
cracking is found, before further flight, do a penetrant or high 
frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection for cracking.
    (2) If any sign of wrinkling is found: Before further flight, do 
a penetrant or HFEC inspection of the wrinkled area(s) for cracking, 
per the service bulletin.
    (3) If any sign of cracking is found: Before further flight, do 
the corrective action required by paragraph (b) of this AD.
    (b) If, during any inspection or test done by this AD, any 
wrinkling or cracking is found, or the conductivity limits exceed 
the limits specified in Figures 3 and 4, as applicable, of the Work 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-54-
2210, dated December 19, 2001, excluding Evaluation Form: Before 
further flight, repair per a method approved by the Manager, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or per data meeting the 
type certification basis of the airplane approved by a Boeing 
Company Designated Engineering Representative who has been 
authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make such findings. For a 
repair method to be approved, the approval must specifically 
reference this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO. Operators shall submit 
their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Seattle ACO.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD, the actions 
shall be done in accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-54-2210, dated December 19, 2001, excluding Evaluation 
Form. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director 
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane 
Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 8, 2003.


[[Page 10149]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 20, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-4589 Filed 3-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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