Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, 747SR, and 747SP Series Airplanes Equipped With Pratt & Whitney JT9D-3, -7, -7Q, and -7R4G2 Series Engines

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 6, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17918-17919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7299]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-207-AD; Amendment 39-13563; AD 2004-07-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, 
-200B, -200C, -200F, -300, 747SR, and 747SP Series Airplanes Equipped 
With Pratt & Whitney JT9D-3, -7, -7Q, and -7R4G2 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 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -
200C, -200F, -300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes equipped with 
Pratt & Whitney JT9D-3, -7, -7Q, and -7R4G2 series engines. This 
amendment requires drilling witness holes through the cowl skin at the 
cowl latch locations in the left-hand side of the cowl panel assembly 
of each engine. This action is necessary to prevent improper connection 
of the latch, which could result in separation of a cowl panel from the 
airplane. Such separation could cause damage to the airplane, 
consequent rapid depressurization, and hazards to persons or property 
on the ground. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective May 11, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 11, 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 Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Kinney, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone 
(425) 917-6499; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

[[Page 17919]]

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100, -
100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, 747SR, and 747SP series 
airplanes equipped with Pratt & Whitney JT9D-3, -7, -7Q, and -7R4G2 
series engines was published as a supplemental notice of proposed 
rulemaking in the Federal Register on February 6, 2004 (69 FR 5781). 
That action proposed to require drilling witness holes through the cowl 
skin at the cowl latch locations in the left-hand side of the cowl 
panel assembly of each engine.

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.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 481 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 114 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work 
hours per airplane (2 work hours per engine) to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $59,280, or $520 per airplane.
    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

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:

2004-07-19 Boeing: Amendment 39-13563. Docket 2002-NM-207-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -
200F, -300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes; equipped with Pratt & 
Whitney JT9D-3, -7, -7Q, and -7R4G2 series engines; line numbers 1 
through 814 inclusive, certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent improper connection of the cowl latch located in the 
left-hand side of the cowl panel assembly of each engine, which 
could result in separation of a cowl panel from the airplane; 
accomplish the following:

Drill Holes

    (a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD: Drill 
witness holes through the cowl skin at each of the six cowl latch 
locations located on the left-hand side of the cowl panel assembly 
of each engine, per paragraphs 3.B.1. through 3.B.4. of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-71-2301, Revision 1, dated August 21, 2003.

Credit for Actions Accomplished per Previous Service Bulletin

    (b) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD 
per the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-
71-2301, dated May 30, 2002, are acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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

    (d) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 
747-71-2301, Revision 1, dated August 21, 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

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on May 11, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 25, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7299 Filed 4-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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