Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 126 (Thursday, July 1, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38007-38009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15659]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0275; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-231-AD; 
Amendment 39-16344; AD 2010-14-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-
100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 
747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 
747-300, 747-400, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. This AD 
requires reworking or replacing certain duct assemblies in the 
environmental control system (ECS). This AD results from reports of 
duct assemblies in the ECS with burned Boeing Material Specification 
(BMS) 8-39 polyurethane foam insulation. This proposed AD also results 
from a report from the airplane manufacturer that airplanes were 
assembled with duct assemblies in the ECS wrapped with BMS 8-39 
polyurethane foam insulation, a material of which the fire retardant 
properties deteriorate with age. We are issuing this AD to prevent a 
potential electrical arc from igniting the BMS 8-39 polyurethane foam 
insulation on the duct assemblies of the ECS, which could propagate a 
small fire and lead to a larger fire that might spread throughout the 
airplane through the ECS.

DATES: This AD is effective August 5, 2010.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of August 5, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P. 
O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail [email protected]; 
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue McCormick, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (303) 342-1082; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to 
certain Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-
200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 12, 2010 (75 
FR 18446). That NPRM proposed to require reworking or replacing certain 
duct assemblies in the environmental control system (ECS).

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comments received. The Boeing Company 
concurs with the contents of the NPRM, and Delta Airlines states that 
it is not affected by the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 558 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. The 
following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Parts cost, per                                      Number of U.S.-
             Action                  Work hours           airplane             Cost per airplane          registered airplanes          Fleet cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duct assembly rework, specified  8 per duct          $12,305 (average).  $100,705 (average)...........  185....................  $18,630,425.
 in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-  (average of 130
 21A2421.                         ducts per
                                  airplane).
Duct assembly rework or          1 per duct (1 duct  The manufacturer    $85..........................  Up to 168..............  Up to $14,280.
 replacement, specified in        per airplane).      states that it
 Boeing Service Bulletin 747-                         will supply
 21A2422.                                             required parts to
                                                      the operators at
                                                      no cost.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 38008]]

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

    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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

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

    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 AD:

2010-14-01 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16344. Docket No. FAA-
2010-0275; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-231-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 5, 
2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the airplanes specified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 
747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747SR, and 747SP 
series airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-21A2421, 
Revision 2, dated December 19, 2006.
    (2) The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-
200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes 
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-21A2422, Revision 2, dated 
November 16, 2006.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 21: Air 
conditioning.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from reports of duct assemblies in the 
environmental control system (ECS) with burned Boeing Material 
Specification (BMS) 8-39 polyurethane foam insulation. This AD also 
results from a report from the airplane manufacturer that airplanes 
were assembled with duct assemblies in the ECS wrapped with BMS 8-39 
polyurethane foam insulation, a material of which the fire retardant 
properties deteriorate with age. We are issuing this AD to prevent a 
potential electrical arc from igniting the BMS 8-39 polyurethane 
foam insulation on the duct assemblies of the ECS, which could 
propagate a small fire and lead to a larger fire that could spread 
throughout the airplane through the ECS.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

ECS Duct Assembly Rework or Replacement

    (g) Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, rework 
or replace the applicable duct assemblies in the ECS specified in 
and in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions and 
Appendices A through F of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-21A2421, 
Revision 2, dated December 19, 2006 (for Model 747-100, 747-100B, 
747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747SR, 
and 747SP series airplanes); and the Accomplishment Instructions and 
Appendices A through C of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-21A2422, 
Revision 2, dated November 16, 2006 (for Model 747-100, 747-100B, 
747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP 
series airplanes).

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an ECS duct assembly with BMS 8-39 polyurethane foam insulation on 
any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to 
ATTN: Sue McCormick, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and 
Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; telephone (303) 342-1082; fax (425) 917-6590. Or, e-mail 
information to [email protected].
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 747-21A2421, Revision 
2, dated December 19, 2006; or Boeing Service Bulletin 747-21A2422, 
Revision 2, dated November 16, 2006; as applicable; to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference 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.


[[Page 38009]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 17, 2010.
Robert D. Breneman,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-15659 Filed 6-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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