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

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 6, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17919-17921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7298]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2004-NM-01-AD; Amendment 39-13564; AD 2004-07-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400 and -400D series airplanes. 
This action requires an inspection to determine the routing 
configuration of wire bundle W4489 and related investigative/corrective 
actions. This action is necessary to prevent possible

[[Page 17920]]

interference between wire bundle W4489 and the receptacle housing of 
the chiller boost fan, drain tubes, and adjacent structure, which could 
result in damage to the wire bundle and consequent arcing and fire. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective April 21, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 21, 2004.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before June 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2004-NM-01-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2004-NM-01-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or 
ASCII text.
    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 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suk Y. Jang, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 917-6511; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA received a report of a fire in the 
cargo bay left sidewall at station 900 on a Boeing Model 747-400 series 
airplane. The fire was caused by arcing between wire bundle W4489 and 
the receptacle housing of the chiller boost fan, which also caused fire 
damage to the surrounding insulation blankets and cargo liner. In 1990, 
the manufacturer corrected this condition by rerouting wire bundle 
W4489 in the area of the chiller boost fan. However, the corrective 
action may not have been properly applied to certain Model 747-400 and 
-400D series airplanes delivered prior to and after 1990. The incorrect 
wire routing configuration could lead to possible interference between 
wire bundle W4489 and the receptacle housing of the chiller boost fan, 
drain tubes, and adjacent structure. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in damage to the wire bundle and consequent arcing and 
fire.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-21A2427, dated April 24, 2003, which describes procedures for 
inspecting to determine the routing configuration of wire bundle W4489 
and related investigative/corrective actions, if necessary. The related 
investigative actions include a detailed inspection of wire bundle 
W4489 for damage; and a detailed inspection for missing wire clamps. 
The corrective actions include repairing any damage to wire bundle 
W4489; installing any missing wire clamps; and rerouting wire bundle 
W4489. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin 
is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.

Explanation of Requirements of the Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design that may be 
registered in the United States at some time in the future, this AD is 
being issued to prevent possible interference between wire bundle W4489 
and the receptacle housing of the chiller boost fan, drain tubes, and 
adjacent structure, which could result in damage to the wire bundle and 
consequent arcing and fire. This AD requires an inspection to determine 
the routing configuration of wire bundle W4489 and related 
investigative/corrective actions, if necessary. The actions are 
required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin 
described previously.

Cost Impact

    None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S. 
Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of this rule 
currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; 
therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. However, 
the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that the unsafe 
condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject airplanes 
are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 1 work hour to 
accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor rate of $65 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be 
$65 per airplane.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, prior notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may 
desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    <bullet<ls-thn-eq> Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, 
discuss a request to change the compliance time and a request to change 
the service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
    <bullet<ls-thn-eq> For each issue, state what specific change to 
the AD is being requested.
    <bullet<ls-thn-eq> Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) 
for each request.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact

[[Page 17921]]

concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules 
Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2004-NM-01-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-07-20 Boeing: Amendment 39-13564. Docket 2004-NM-01-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747-400 and -400D series airplanes, as 
listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2427, dated April 24, 
2003; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent possible interference between wire bundle W4489 and 
the receptacle housing of the chiller boost fan, drain tubes, and 
adjacent structure, which could result in damage to the wire bundle 
and consequent arcing and fire, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Related Investigation/Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect to determine the routing configuration for wire bundle 
W4489; and, before further flight, do all the related investigative/
corrective actions, as applicable; by accomplishing all of the 
actions in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-21A2427, dated April 24, 2003.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (c) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-21A2427, dated April 24, 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 Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (d) This amendment becomes effective on April 21, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 25, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7298 Filed 4-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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