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

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 213 (Thursday, November 4, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64253-64255]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24521]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-217-AD; Amendment 39-13843; AD 2004-22-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes, that 
currently requires installation of strap assemblies on the ceiling 
panels and rails that support the video monitors. For certain 
airplanes, this amendment requires replacement of certain plate 
assemblies within the ceiling panel strap assemblies with new, improved 
plate assemblies. This amendment also revises the applicability by 
adding airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent ceiling panels from falling into the passenger cabin area in 
the event of failure of

[[Page 64254]]

certain latch assemblies on the ceiling panels, which could result in 
consequent injury to the flightcrew and passengers. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective December 9, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 9, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 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 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Gillespie, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office; telephone (425) 917-6429; fax (425) 917-
6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 99-18-07, 
amendment 39-11273 (64 FR 47372, August 31, 1999), which is applicable 
to certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes, was published in the 
Federal Register on June 23, 2004 (69 FR 34969). That action proposed 
to continue to require installation of strap assemblies on the ceiling 
panels and rails that support the video monitors. For certain 
airplanes, that action also proposed to require replacement of certain 
plate assemblies within the ceiling panel strap assemblies with new, 
improved plate assemblies. That action also proposed to revise the 
applicability by adding airplanes.

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.

Change to This Final Rule

    The Summary section of the proposed AD inadvertantly stated that 
the existing AD that is being superseded, AD 99-18-07, amendment 39-
11273 (64 FR 47372, August 31, 1999), is applicable to certain Boeing 
Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes. The existing AD is 
applicable only to certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes. The 
Summary section of this final rule has been changed to correctly state 
that the existing AD is applicabe to certain Boeing Model 747-400 
series airplanes.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
change described previously. We have 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 346 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 43 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 99-18-07, and 
retained in this AD, take approximately 9 work hours per ceiling panel, 
and between 18 and 126 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts cost between 
$1,366 and $9,575 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact 
of the previously required actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
between $2,536 and $17,765 per airplane.
    The installation of new plates that is required by this new AD will 
take approximately 7 work hours per ceiling panel, and between 18 and 
126 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost between $1,700 and $12,200 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the new requirements of this 
AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $2,870 and $20,390 per 
airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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

0
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

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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-11273 (64 FR 
47372, August 31, 1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-13843, to read as follows:

2004-22-15 Boeing: Amendment 39-13843. Docket 2003-NM-217-AD. 
Supersedes AD 99-18-07, Amendment 39-11273.

    Applicability: Model 747-400 and -400D series airplanes, as 
listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3142, Revision 3, 
dated August 14, 2003; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent ceiling panels from falling into the passenger cabin 
area in the event of failure of certain latch assemblies on the 
ceiling panels, which could result in

[[Page 64255]]

consequent injury to the flightcrew and passengers, accomplish the 
following:

Replacement of Plate Assemblies in the Ceiling Panel Strap Assemblies

    (a) For airplanes on which ceiling panel strap assemblies were 
installed in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
25A3142, dated October 16, 1997; or Revision 1, dated August 6, 
1998; or had plate assembly 411U5513-123 installed in production as 
of the effective date of this AD: Within 24 months after the 
effective date of this AD, replace any plate assembly having part 
number (P/N) 411U5513-123, with a new, improved plate assembly 
having P/N 411U5513-131, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3142, Revision 
3, dated August 14, 2003.

Installation of Ceiling Panel Strap Assemblies

    (b) For airplanes on which ceiling panel strap assemblies were 
not installed in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
25A3142, dated October 16, 1997; or Revision 1, dated August 6, 
1998: Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, install 
strap assemblies on the ceiling panels and rails that support the 
video monitors in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3142, Revision 3, dated August 
14, 2003.

Actions Done per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (c) Accomplishment of the specified actions before the effective 
date of this AD per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3142, 
Revision 2, dated March 20, 2003, is considered acceptable for 
compliance with the applicable requirements of paragraphs (a) and 
(b) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d)(1) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in 
accordance with AD 99-18-07, amendment 39-11273, are approved as 
alternative methods of compliance with the applicable actions of 
this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3142, 
Revision 3, dated August 14, 2003. 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 Airplanes, 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 
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.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 9, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 21, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24521 Filed 11-3-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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