Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100 and -200B Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 5 (Friday, January 7, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1336-1338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-162]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-18729; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-24-AD; 
Amendment 39-13931; AD 2005-01-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100 and -200B 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 747-100 and -200B series airplanes. This AD 
requires installing bonding clips and bonding jumpers from the housing 
of each fuel pump to airplane structure outside the fuel tanks. This AD 
is prompted by the results of fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to ensure adequate electrical 
bonding between the housing of each fuel pump and airplane structure 
outside the fuel tanks. Inadequate electrical bonding, in the event of 
a lightning strike or pump electrical fault, could cause electrical 
arcing and ignition of fuel vapor in the wing fuel tank, which could 
result in a fuel tank explosion.

DATES: This AD becomes effective February 11, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
February 11, 2005.

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: 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.
    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 747-100 and -200B series airplanes. 
That action, published in the Federal Register on August 6, 2004 (69 FR 
47814), proposed to require installing bonding clips and bonding 
jumpers from the housing of each fuel pump to airplane structure 
outside the fuel tanks.

Comments

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

[[Page 1337]]

Request To Revise Bonding Resistance Values

    The commenters state that there is a discrepancy in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-28A2033, Revision 1, dated December 18, 2003. The 
discrepancy is the different maximum allowable resistance values for 
the boost pumps and the override jettison pumps. The resistance value 
for the boost pumps is 0.0004 ohm. The resistance value for the 
jettison pumps is 0.0002 ohm. One of the commenters notes that the same 
bonding jumper is used for each type of pump. We infer that the 
commenter requests that either of the resistance values be changed so 
the values are the same for the boost and override jettison pumps. The 
other commenter requests revising the proposed AD, or contacting the 
manufacturer so the service bulletin can be revised to correct the 
discrepancy.
    The FAA does not agree that there is an error in the resistance 
values stated in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-28A2033, Revision 1. 
The resistance values stated in the service bulletin are correct, and 
are based upon possible fault current magnitudes, which are different 
for the two pump types. This AD has not been changed regarding this 
issue.

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 as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD affects about 158 airplanes worldwide. The following table 
provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Average                          Number of
                                                  Work      labor                Cost per     U.S.-      Fleet
                    Action                       hours     rate per    Parts     airplane  registered     cost
                                                             hour                           airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation of Bonding Clips/Jumpers........          8        $65         $0       $520          23    $11,960
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. 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.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, the FAA is charged 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 AD.

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):

2005-01-07 Boeing: Amendment 39-13931. Docket No. FAA-2004-18729; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-24-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective February 11, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-100 and -200B series 
airplanes having line numbers 1 through 167 inclusive, certificated 
in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by the results of fuel system reviews 
conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to ensure 
adequate electrical bonding between the housing of each fuel pump 
and airplane structure outside the fuel tanks. Inadequate electrical 
bonding, in the event of a lightning strike or pump electrical 
fault, could cause electrical arcing and ignition of fuel vapor in 
the wing fuel tank, which could result in a fuel tank explosion.

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.

Installation of Bonding Clips and Bonding Jumpers

    (f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install bonding clips and bonding jumpers from the housing of each 
fuel pump to airplane structure located outside the fuel tanks by 
doing all of the actions in part 1 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-28A2033, Revision 
1, dated December 18, 2003.

Actions Done in Accordance With Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (g) Installations done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-28-2033, dated December 
15, 1971, are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of 
this AD.

[[Page 1338]]

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 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 Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-28A2033, 
Revision 1, dated December 18, 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 December 27, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-162 Filed 1-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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