Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200F and -400 Series Airplanes; Model 767-400ER Series Airplanes; and Model 777 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 15, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34646-34649]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11711]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19082; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-79-AD; 
Amendment 39-14126; AD 2005-12-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200F and -400 Series 
Airplanes; Model 767-400ER Series Airplanes; and Model 777 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Boeing Model 747-200F and -400 series airplanes; Model 767-
400ER series airplanes; and Model 777 series airplanes. This AD 
requires replacing the frequency converter(s) used to supply electrical 
power for utility outlets (for the galley, medical equipment, or 
personal computers) with modified frequency converter(s). This AD also 
requires any specified action and related concurrent actions, as 
necessary. This AD is prompted by a report that a hard short condition 
between the frequency converter's output and its downstream circuit 
breakers will produce a continuous current that could cause the 
undersized output wiring to overheat. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
the overheating of the frequency converter's undersized output wiring, 
which could lead to the failure of a wire bundle, and consequent 
adverse effects on other systems sharing the affected wire bundle.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 20, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of July 
20, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
    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 U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2004-19082; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-79-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Binh Tran, Aerospace Engineer, Systems 
and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone 
(425) 917-6485; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for certain Boeing Model 747-200F and -400 series airplanes; 
Model 767-400ER series airplanes; and Model 777 series airplanes. That 
action, published in the Federal Register on September 13, 2004 (69 FR 
55120), proposed to require replacing the frequency converter(s) used 
to supply power for utility outlets (for the galley, medical equipment, 
or personal computers) with modified frequency converter(s); and any 
other specified action and related concurrent actions, as necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments that have been 
submitted on the proposed AD.

Request To Revise Applicability To List Frequency Converters

    One commenter asks ``* * * why not write the AD against the part 
instead of the aircraft?'' and suggests that listing the frequency 
converter by manufacturer and part number may allow detection of 
similar problems on other aircraft and possible parts manufacturer 
approved (PMA) alternative units.
    We disagree with revising the applicability. PMA parts frequently 
have a part numbering scheme different from that of the original 
manufacturer. For this reason, writing the AD against the part number 
may not accurately identify the PMA parts. Should we become aware of 
PMA parts that have similar characteristics as those addressed in this 
AD, we would consider further rulemaking.
    The FAA's practice regarding unsafe conditions that result from the 
installation of a particular part in specific makes and models of 
airplanes is to issue an AD that applies to the affected airplane 
models. In doing so, U.S. operators of those airplanes will be notified 
directly of the unsafe condition and the action required to correct it. 
While we assume that operators can identify the airplane models they 
operate, they may not be aware of specific items installed on those 
airplanes. Therefore, specifying the airplane models in the 
applicability as the subject of the AD prevents an operator's 
``unknowing failure to comply'' with the AD. We have not changed the 
final rule regarding this issue.

Request To Add Airplane Models to the Applicability of the AD

    One commenter requests that certain Boeing Model 767-300 series 
airplanes be added to the applicability of this AD. Boeing has 
published Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-0334, Revision 1, dated June 
19, 2003, which addresses the same unsafe condition on some Model 767-
300 series airplanes that were also delivered with affected frequency 
converters.
    We agree that the Model 767-300 series airplanes are affected by 
the unsafe condition. We inadvertently omitted the service bulletin in 
the proposed AD. However, we disagree with revising the applicability 
of this AD, because we are considering a separate rulemaking action for 
the Model 767-300 series airplanes. A notice of proposed rulemaking for 
the Model 767-300 series airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on March 17, 2005 (70 FR 12986). If we revise the 
applicability of this AD to add Model 767-300 series airplanes, we 
would need to reissue this AD as a revised notice. In light of the time 
that would be needed to reissue the proposed AD, and in consideration 
of the amount of time that has already elapsed since we issued the 
original notice, we have determined that further delay of this AD is 
not appropriate.

Request for Change of Terminology

    One commenter requests that the phrase ``continuous circuit'' in 
the Summary section of the proposed AD be changed to ``continuous 
current.'' The commenter provides no reason/justification.

[[Page 34647]]

    We agree that the word should be changed, because the word 
``circuit'' is incorrectly used in the phrase. We have revised the 
final rule to use the word ``current.''

Request To Revise the Description of the Unsafe Condition in the 
Discussion Section

    One commenter requests that we change ``55 amps'' to ``180% rated 
current'' in the Discussion section of the proposed AD. The commenter 
states that the value of 55 amps is accurate only for installations 
that use a specific output (a 3.5 KVA, 115VAC rated output). For the 
series of converters used on Boeing airplanes, a hard short circuit 
fault on the output of the converter will produce a fault current that 
is approximately 180% of the nominal rated output current. Since Boeing 
installations use multiple converter part numbers with different rated 
outputs, the short circuit fault current will vary depending on the 
converter used.
    We partially agree with the commenter's request. The hard short 
circuit fault condition will produce a continuous output current of 
approximately 170% to 200% of nominal current. However, since that 
section of the preamble does not reappear in the final rule, no change 
to the final rule is necessary regarding this issue.

Correction in Estimated Costs for Cost of Compliance

    We provided a cost estimate in the proposed AD that used the cost 
of replacing converters under warranty, not the cost of replacing parts 
without a warranty. The cost impact information provided in the 
proposed AD is correct for parts that are still under warranty. 
However, we strive to provide a cost estimate that uses cost 
information for parts not under warranty. The cost of a replacement 
converter without a warranty is $1,800. We have revised the cost impact 
information in this final rule to include the revised part cost.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments that have been submitted, and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described 
previously. We have determined that these changes will neither increase 
the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD will affect about 147 airplanes worldwide. The following 
table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with 
this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Average                              Number of U.S.-
                 Boeing model                            Work hours hours             labor rate     Parts       Cost per      registered     Fleet cost
                                                                                       per hour                  airplane      airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
747-200F and -400 series airplanes...........  5 per converter (1 converter on each          $65       $1,800       $2,125              0             $0
                                                airplane).
                                               5 per converter (2 converters on               65        3,600        4,250              0              0
                                                each airplane).
767-400ER series airplanes...................  2 per airplane......................           65        3,600        3,730             21         78,330
777 series airplanes.........................  4 per airplane......................           65        7,200        7,460              8         59,680
Additional concurrent action for 777 series    1 per airplane......................           65        1,800        1,865              6         11,190
 airplanes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Currently, there are no affected Model 747-200F or -400 series 
airplanes on the U.S. Register. However, an affected airplane that is 
imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future would be subject 
to the costs specified above for those airplanes.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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

    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):


[[Page 34648]]


2005-12-10 Boeing: Amendment 39-14126. Docket No. FAA-2004-19082; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-79-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective July 20, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the airplanes listed in Table 1 of this 
AD, certificated in any category:

                                             Table 1.--Applicability
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Boeing model--                               As listed in Boeing service bulletin--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
747-200F and -400 series airplanes......  747-25-3313, Revision 1, dated May 15, 2003.
767-400ER series airplanes..............  767-25-0335, dated November 7, 2002.
777 series airplanes....................  777-25-0210, dated October 17, 2002.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report that a hard short condition 
between the frequency converter's output and its downstream circuit 
breakers will produce a continuous current, that could cause the 
undersized output wiring to overheat. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent the overheating of the frequency converter's output wiring, 
which could lead to the failure of a wire bundle, and consequent 
adverse effects on other systems sharing the affected wire bundle.

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.

Replacement

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the frequency converter(s) used to supply electrical power 
to utility outlets (for the galley, medical equipment, or personal 
computers) with modified frequency converter(s); and do other 
applicable specified actions; by doing all of the actions in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin 
listed in Table 2 of this AD.

                                    Table 2.--Applicability Service Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               For model--                                     Use Boeing service bulletin--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
747-200F and -400 series airplanes......  747-25-3313, Revision 1, dated May 15, 2003.
767-400ER series airplanes..............  767-25-0335, dated November 7, 2002.
777 series airplanes....................  777-25-0210, dated October 17, 2002.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3313, Revision 1, dated 
May 15, 2003, refers to JAMCO Service Bulletin CAW74-25-1697, dated 
June 7, 2002, as an additional source of information for procedures 
to remove and install certain galley frequency converters.

Concurrent Service Bulletin

    (g) For airplanes listed as Group 3 in the Effectivity of Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-25-0210, dated October 17, 2002: Prior to or 
concurrently with the actions in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-25-
0210, dated October 17, 2002, deactivate the galley frequency 
converter in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Monogram Systems Service Bulletin 872869-25-2098, dated May 1, 2002.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, 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

    (i) You must use the service information that is specified in 
Table 3 of this AD 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 those documents 
in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get copies 
of the service information, go to Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. 
Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. To view the AD docket, go 
to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif 
Building, Washington, DC. To review copies of the service 
information, go to 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.

                                  Table 3.--Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Service bulletin                     Revision level                           Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3313......  1...........................  May 15, 2003.
Boeing Service Bulletin 767-25-0335......  Original....................  November 7, 2002.
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-25-0210......  Original....................  October 17, 2002.
Monogram Systems Service Bulletin 872869-  Original....................  May 1, 2002.
 25-2098.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



[[Page 34649]]

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 27, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-11711 Filed 6-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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