Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 747-100, -200B, and -200F Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 127 (Friday, July 2, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38394-38396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15924]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0132; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-096-AD; 
Amendment 39-16355; AD 2010-14-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 747-100, -
200B, and -200F Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), which applies to certain Model 747-100, 747-200B, and -200F 
series airplanes. That AD currently requires inspections to detect 
cracking in the upper row of fasteners holes of the skin lap joints in 
the fuselage lower lobe, and repair if necessary. This new AD reduces 
the maximum interval of the post-modification inspections. This AD 
results from reports of fatigue cracking on modified airplanes. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking in the 
longitudinal lap joints of the fuselage lower lobe, which could lead to 
the rapid decompression of the airplane and the inability of the 
structure to carry fail-safe loads.

DATES: This AD is effective August 6, 2010.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of August 6, 
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: Ivan Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe 
Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6437; 
fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 94-17-01, Amendment 39-
8996 (59 FR 41653, August 15, 1994). The existing AD applies to certain 
Model 747 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
February 25, 2010 (75 FR 8554). That NPRM proposed to continue to 
require inspections for cracking in the upper row of fasteners holes of 
the skin lap joints in the fuselage lower lobe, and repair, if 
necessary. The NPRM proposed to reduce the maximum interval of the 
post-modification inspections.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comments received from the sole commenter.

Request To Clarify Term in Paragraph (i)(2) of the NPRM

    Boeing requests that we add a note below paragraph (i)(2) of the 
NPRM to clarify the term ``remove'' to mean ``to

[[Page 38395]]

trim out all three fastener rows of the overlapping skin common to the 
lap joint.'' Boeing states that the term ``remove'' is not specific 
enough in this context, and it is inconsistent with the terminology 
used in the structural repair manual and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-53A2267, Revision 4, dated March 26, 2009.
    We agree that clarification is necessary for the reasons provided 
by the commenter. We have added this information to paragraph (i)(2) of 
this final rule.

Request To Add an Exception Clause to Paragraph (k)(4) of the NPRM

    Boeing requests that we add an exception clause to paragraph (k)(4) 
that states ``AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 94-17-01 
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD, with 
the exception of paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD.'' Boeing states 
that the exception ensures that operators meet the intent of the 
requirement to lower the repetitive inspection intervals from 3,000 
flight cycles to 1,000 flight cycles, as required by paragraphs (h) and 
(i) of this AD.
    We agree with the request. We have revised paragraph (k)(4) of this 
final rule accordingly.

Request To Revise Paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of the NPRM

    Boeing requests that we add ``locations on'' before the word 
``airplanes'' in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of the NPRM. 
Boeing states that the current phrasing in the NPRM does not allow an 
operator to differentiate inspection thresholds between lap joints with 
different installation times and types of modifications on the same 
airplane.
    We agree with the request. We have revised paragraphs (g)(1), 
(g)(2), and (g)(3) of this final rule accordingly.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD with the changes described previously. We also determined that 
these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or 
increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 23 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                 Number of U.S.-
               Action                    Work hours     Average labor        Parts          Cost per airplane       registered          Fleet cost
                                                        rate per hour                                               airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection (required by AD 94-17-01)             244              $85               $0   $20,740 per inspection               7   $145,180 per
                                                                                          cycle.                                   inspection cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
removing Amendment 39-8996 (59 FR 41653, August 15, 1994) and by adding 
the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2010-14-10 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16355. Docket No. FAA-
2010-0132; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-096-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 6, 
2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 94-17-01, Amendment 39-8996.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-
200B, and 747-200F series airplanes, certificated in any category, 
as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2267, Revision 
4, dated March 26, 2009.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53: 
Fuselage.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from reports of fatigue cracking. The 
Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to detect and 
correct fatigue cracking in the fuselage lower lobe longitudinal lap 
joints, which

[[Page 38396]]

could lead to the rapid decompression of the airplane and the 
inability of the structure to carry fail-safe loads.

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.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 94-17-01, With Revised Compliance 
Times for Post-Modification Inspection and Revised Service Information

Initial External High Frequency Eddy Current Inspection

    (g) Perform an external high frequency eddy current inspection 
to detect cracks in the upper row of fasteners in the modified lap 
joints in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2267, 
Revision 3, dated March 26, 1992; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-53A2267, Revision 4, dated March 26, 2009; at the time specified 
in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) or (g)(3) of this AD, as applicable. 
As of the effective date of this AD, only Revision 4 may be used.
    (1) For locations on airplanes on which the full modification 
required by AD 90-06-06, Amendment 39-6490, has been accomplished in 
accordance with Revision 2 of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2267, 
dated March 29, 1990; or Revision 3, dated March 26, 1992; or Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2267, Revision 4, dated March 26, 
2009: Prior to the accumulation of 10,000 flight cycles after 
accomplishment of the full modification.
    (2) For locations on airplanes on which the full modification 
required by AD 90-06-06 has been accomplished in accordance with 
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2267, dated March 28, 1986; or 
Revision 1, dated September 25, 1986: Prior to the accumulation of 
7,000 flight cycles after accomplishment of the full modification.
    (3) For locations on airplanes on which the optional 
modification has been accomplished in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2267, Revision 2, dated March 29, 1990, or Revision 
3, dated March 26, 1992; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2267, Revision 4, dated March 26, 2009: Prior to the accumulation 
of 7,000 flight cycles after accomplishment of the optional 
modification.

Repetitive External High Frequency Eddy Current Inspections

    (h) If no cracking is detected during the inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, repeat the inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD at the earlier of the times specified in 
paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, and thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 1,000 flight cycles.
    (1) Within 3,000 flight cycles after the last inspection 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (2) Within 1,000 flight cycles after the last inspection 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD or 500 flight cycles after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

Repair

    (i) If any cracking is detected during any inspection required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair in 
accordance with Section 53-30-03 of the Boeing 747 Structural Repair 
Manual (SRM); or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2267, Revision 
4, dated March 26, 2009; except as required by paragraph (j) of this 
AD; and repeat the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD 
at the times specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. As of the 
effective date of this AD, use only Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-53A2267, Revision 4, dated March 26, 2009.
    (1) As of the effective date of this AD: If the repair specified 
in the Boeing 747 SRM does not include removing the lap joint and 
the upper row of countersunk fasteners, repeat the inspection 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD at the earlier of the times 
specified in paragraphs (i)(1)(i) and (i)(1)(ii) of this AD, and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 flight cycles.
    (i) Within 3,000 flight cycles after the last inspection 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (ii) Within 1,000 flight cycles after the last inspection 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, or within 500 flight cycles 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (2) If the repair specified in the Boeing 747 SRM includes 
removing the lap joint and the upper row of countersunk fasteners, 
such repair constitutes terminating action for the inspection 
requirements of this AD. To ``remove'' means to trim out all three 
fastener rows of the overlapping skin common to the lap joint.

Exception to the Service Bulletin

    (j) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by 
this AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2267, Revision 4, 
dated March 26, 2009, specifies contacting Boeing for appropriate 
action: Before further flight, repair the cracking using a method 
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph 
(k) of this AD. For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, 
Seattle ACO, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval 
letter must specifically refer to this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 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: Ivan 
Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6437; fax (425) 917-6590. 
Or, e-mail information to 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests-faa.gov.
    (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.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by the 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization 
(ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make 
those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must 
meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 94-17-01 are 
approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD, with 
the exception of paragraphs (h) and (i)(1) of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2267, 
Revision 4, dated March 26, 2009, 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 23, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-15924 Filed 7-1-10; 8:45 am]
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