Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 and -400F Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 2, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63443-63445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24227]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-18728; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-176-AD; 
Amendment 39-13838; AD 2004-22-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 and -400F Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Boeing Model 747-400 and -400F series airplanes. This AD 
requires a detailed inspection(s) for cracks and fractures of the side 
guide support fittings in the lower lobe cargo compartments; and 
applicable investigative/corrective actions and operational 
limitations, if necessary. This AD also requires a terminating action 
for the repetitive inspections. This AD is prompted by reports of 
cracked/fractured side guide support fittings in the aft, lower lobe 
cargo compartment. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracked/fractured 
side guide support fittings in the lower lobe cargo compartments, which 
could result in unrestrained cargo shifting in flight and damaging the 
airplane structure or systems, and consequent reduced controllability 
of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 7, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
December 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207. You can examine this information at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of 
this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, on 
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: Ivan Li,

[[Page 63444]]

Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
917-6437; fax (425) 917-6590.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

Examining the Docket

    The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any final 
disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for certain Boeing Model 747-400 and ``400F series 
airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on August 6, 
2004 (69 FR 47811), proposed to require a detailed inspection(s) for 
cracks and fractures of the side guide support fittings in the lower 
lobe cargo compartments; and applicable investigative/corrective 
actions and operational limitations, if necessary. That action also 
proposed to require a terminating action for the repetitive 
inspections.

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.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 22 airplanes of the affected design worldwide. The 
following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                   Number of U.S.-
               Action                  Work hours     Average labor          Parts            Cost per airplane      registered          Fleet cost
                                                      rate per hour                                                   airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection, per inspection cycle...               5             $65  None.................  $325, per inspection                3  $975, per inspection
                                                                                             cycle.                                 cycle.
Assembly replacement...............              25             $65  $3,402...............  $5,027...............               3  $15,081.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to 
examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2004-22-10 Boeing: Amendment 39-13838. Docket No. FAA-2004-18728; 
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-176-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective December 7, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-400 and ``400F series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as listed in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-25A3335, dated July 3, 2003.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of cracked/fractured side 
guide support fittings in the aft, lower lobe cargo compartment. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent cracked/fractured side guide support 
fittings in the lower lobe cargo compartments, which could result in 
unrestrained cargo shifting in flight and damaging the airplane 
structure or systems, and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspection, Investigative/Corrective Actions, and Operational 
Limitations

    (f) At the applicable time(s) specified in Table 1 of this AD, 
do a detailed inspection(s) of the side guide support fittings in 
the lower lobe cargo compartments for cracks and fractures, and 
before further flight, do all applicable investigative/corrective 
actions and operational limitations, if necessary, by accomplishing 
all the actions specified in Work Package 1 and Work Package 2 of 
the Work Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3335, 
dated July 3, 2003; except as required by paragraph (g) of this AD. 
Replacement of all outboard roller assemblies with new assemblies in 
accordance with Work Package 2 of the service bulletin ends the 
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD (Work 
Package 1).

[[Page 63445]]



                       Table 1.--Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Initial compliance   Repetitive interval--
            For--                    time--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Work Package 1..........  Within 180 days       At intervals not to
                               after the effective   exceed 180 days,
                               date of this AD.      until all outboard
                                                     roller assemblies
                                                     have been replaced
                                                     per Work Package 2
                                                     of the service
                                                     bulletin.
(2) Work Package 2..........  Within 18 months      None.
                               after the effective
                               date of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
``an intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirrors magnifying lenses, etc. may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''


    Note 2: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3335 refers to 
Goodrich Alert Service Bulletin 65B60176-25-A01, dated March 3, 
2003, as an additional source of service information for replacing 
the outboard roller assemblies.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Seattle ACO, has the authority to approve AMOCs 
for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 
14 CFR 39.19.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3335, 
dated July 3, 2003, to perform the actions that are required by this 
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal 
Register approves the incorporation by reference of this document in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For copies of the 
service information, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 
3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. For information on the 
availability of this material at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. You may view the AD docket at the Docket 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh 
Street SW, room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 21, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24227 Filed 11-1-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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