Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747SR, and 747SP Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 96 (Thursday, May 19, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28795-28797]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9874]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19532; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-87-AD; 
Amendment 39-14096; AD 2005-10-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-
200B, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747SR, and 747SP 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 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-300, 747-400, 
747-400D, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. This AD requires replacing 
or modifying the control panels for the galley cart lift and modifying 
related electrical cable assemblies, as applicable. This AD is prompted 
by reports of injuries to catering personnel and flight attendants who 
were loading or unloading galley carts on one deck when, due to a 
disabled or malfunctioning safety interlock door switch, the galley 
cart lift unexpectedly moved when it was activated from the control 
panel on the other deck. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the 
galley cart lift can be sent only from the deck on which it is in use, 
which will prevent unexpected movement of the cart lift that could 
result in possible injury to catering personnel or flight attendants.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 23, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 
23, 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-2004-19532; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-87-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Donald Wren, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6451; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR Part 39 
with an AD for certain Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-
300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. That action, 
published in the Federal Register on November 5, 2004 (69 FR 64537), 
proposed to require replacing or modifying the control panels for the 
galley cart lift and modifying related electrical cable assemblies, as 
applicable.

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 Clarify Prompt Language and Statement of Unsafe Condition

    One commenter, the manufacturer, requests that we clarify the 
statements in the Summary and paragraph (d) of the proposed AD of what 
prompted the proposed AD and clarifying the unsafe condition. The 
commenter suggests we can do this by explaining the role of a disabled 
or malfunctioning safety interlock door switch of the galley cart lift. 
The commenter states that the existing statements do not clearly 
describe the string of events relevant to the unexpected movement of 
the galley cart lift.
    We partially agree. The statement of what prompted the proposed AD 
would be clearer if we included the role of a disabled or 
malfunctioning safety interlock door switch of the galley cart lift. We 
have changed the Summary and paragraph (d) of the final rule to include 
this role.
    However, we do not agree that the statement of the unsafe condition 
should include the role of a disabled or malfunctioning safety 
interlock door switch. The purpose of this AD is to prevent the galley 
cart lift from being activated from the other deck control panel, 
regardless of whether the safety interlock switch is functional or not. 
We have not changed the final rule in this regard.

Request To Clarify Discussion and Relevant Service Information

    The same commenter requests that the Discussion and Relevant 
Service Information sections of the proposed AD be revised to include 
the role of a disabled or malfunctioning safety interlock door switch. 
The commenter states the same reason as before.
    We do not agree. The existing sections are intended to describe the 
unsafe condition and are adequate as written. Further, the Discussion 
and Relevant Service Information sections are not carried forward into 
the final rule. No change is needed in this regard.

Request To Specify Increased Personnel Training and Oversight

    The same commenter requests that the Relevant Service Information 
section be revised by adding Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3116, 
which specifies installation of additional cautionary placarding to the 
galley lift doors. Further, the commenter states that increased levels 
of operational training and oversight would best minimize injury of 
personnel who operate the galley cart lift. The commenter states

[[Page 28796]]

these actions will have the greatest effect in reducing potential 
injuries.
    We do not agree. The commenter's proposed revision introduces the 
replacement and/or relocation of warning placards as well as additional 
recommended actions involving crew training and oversight that are not 
required by this AD. Additional crew training and oversight and 
additional placards may be helpful but we have determined, in this 
case, that the actions mandated by this AD are sufficient to address 
the unsafe condition. Further, as already stated, the Relevant Service 
Information section is not carried forward into the final rule. No 
change is needed in this regard.

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

    There are about 600 airplanes of the affected design worldwide. 
This AD will affect about 66 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    About 22 Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-300, 747SR, and 
747SP series airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by the 
required actions. It will take about 7 work hours per airplane to do 
the required actions, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost about $143 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the estimated cost of the AD for these U.S. operators is 
$13,156, or $598 per airplane.
    About 44 Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by the required actions. It will take about 2 
work hours per airplane to do the required actions, at an average labor 
rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost about $4,934 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for 
these U.S. operators is $222,816, or $5,064 per airplane.

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

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):

2005-10-19 Boeing: Amendment 39-14096. Docket No. FAA-2004-19532; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-87-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective June 23, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to certain Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 
747-200B, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, as identified 
in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3287, Revision 2, dated 
September 4, 2003; and Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes, 
as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25A3187, Revision 2, 
dated January 27, 2000; certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of injuries to catering 
personnel and flight attendants who were loading or unloading galley 
carts on one deck when, due to a disabled or malfunctioning safety 
interlock door switch, the galley cart lift unexpectedly moved when 
it was activated from the control panel on the other deck. We are 
issuing this AD to ensure that the galley cart lift can be sent only 
from the deck on which it is in use, which will prevent unexpected 
movement of the cart lift that could result in possible injury to 
catering personnel or flight attendants.

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/Modification of Control Panel

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the actions required by paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of 
this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes: Replace the 
main and upper deck control panels for the galley cart lift with new 
or modified control panels by doing all the actions specified in 
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25A3187, Revision 2, dated January 27, 
2000.
    (2) For Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-300, 747SR, and 
747SP series airplanes: Modify the main and upper deck control 
panels and related cable assemblies for the galley cart lift by 
doing all the actions specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-25A3287, Revision 2, dated September 4, 2003.

Actions Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (g) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3287, dated 
October 25, 2001, or Revision 1, dated April 25, 2002; or in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25A3187, dated April 29, 
1999, or Revision 1, dated September 23, 1999; are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified 
in paragraph (f) of this AD.

[[Page 28797]]

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 Service Bulletin 747-25A3187, Revision 
2, dated January 27, 2000; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
25A3287, Revision 2, dated September 4, 2003; as applicable; 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 these 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 the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or 
go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 9, 2005.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9874 Filed 5-18-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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