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

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 150 (Thursday, August 5, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47208-47210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-18619]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0045; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-085-AD; 
Amendment 39-16382; AD 2010-16-05]
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, 
747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Model 747 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting to verify the part 
number of the low-pressure flex-hoses of the crew oxygen system 
installed under the oxygen mask stowage boxes in the flight deck, and 
replacing the flex-hose with a new non-conductive low-pressure flex-
hose if necessary. This AD results from reports of low-pressure flex-
hoses of the crew oxygen system that burned through due to inadvertent 
electrical current from a short circuit in the audio select panel. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent electrical current, which 
can cause the low-pressure flex-hoses of the crew oxygen system to melt 
or burn, causing oxygen system leakage and smoke or fire.

DATES: This AD is effective September 9, 2010.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of September 9, 
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: Susan L. Monroe, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6457; 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 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on January 22, 2010 (75 FR 3658). That NPRM proposed to 
require inspecting to verify the part number of the low-pressure flex-
hoses of the crew oxygen system installed under the oxygen mask stowage 
boxes in the flight deck, and replacing the flex-hose with a new non-
conductive low-pressure flex-hose if necessary.

Comments

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

Support for the NPRM

    Boeing concurs with the contents of the NPRM, and the Air Line 
Pilots Association, International (ALPA) supports the intent of the 
NPRM.

Request To Shorten Compliance Time

    ALPA requests that the 36-month compliance time specified in the 
NPRM be shortened given the potential consequence of an oxygen-fed fire 
in the vicinity of the flightcrew station.
    We do not agree. In developing an appropriate compliance time, we 
considered the safety implications, parts availability, and normal 
maintenance schedules for timely accomplishment of replacement of the 
fasteners. Further, we arrived at the compliance time with manufacturer 
concurrence. In consideration of all of these factors, we determined 
that the compliance time, as proposed, represents an appropriate 
interval in which the inspections can be done in a timely manner within 
the fleet, while still maintaining an adequate level of safety. 
Operators are always permitted to accomplish the requirements of an AD 
at a time earlier than the specified compliance time; therefore, an 
operator may choose to do

[[Page 47209]]

the inspection before 36 months in order to accomplish the requirements 
of this AD. If additional data are presented that would justify a 
shorter compliance time, we may consider further rulemaking on this 
issue. We have not changed the AD in this regard.

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.

Explanation of Change to Costs of Compliance

    Since issuance of the NPRM, we have increased the labor rate used 
in the Costs of Compliance from $80 per work-hour to $85 per work-hour. 
The Costs of Compliance information, below, reflects this increase in 
the specified hourly labor rate.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 211 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD to the U.S. 
operators to be $17,935, or $85 per product.

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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2010-16-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16382. Docket No. FAA-
2010-0045; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-085-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 9, 
2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-
100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 
747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, certificated 
in any category; line numbers 1 through 1229 inclusive.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 35: Oxygen.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from reports of low-pressure flex-hoses of 
the crew oxygen system that burned through due to inadvertent 
electrical current from a short circuit in the audio select panel. 
The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to prevent 
inadvertent electrical current, which can cause the low-pressure 
flex-hoses of the crew oxygen system to melt or burn, resulting in 
oxygen system leakage and smoke or fire.

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.

Inspection

    (g) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do an 
inspection to determine whether any low-pressure flex-hose of the 
crew oxygen system installed under the oxygen mask stowage box in 
the flight deck has a part number identified in Table 1 of this AD. 
A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of 
this inspection if the part number of the low-pressure flex-hoses of 
the crew oxygen system can be conclusively determined from that 
review.
    (1) For any hose having a part number identified in Table 1 of 
this AD, before further flight, replace the hose with a new or 
serviceable part, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-35A2101, Revision 1, dated May 15, 
2003.
    (2) For any hose not having a part number identified in Table 1 
of this AD, no further action is required by this paragraph.

                    Table 1--Applicable Part Numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Equivalent
              Boeing specification part No.               hydraflow part
                                                                No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
60B50059-19.............................................        38001-19
60B50059-20.............................................        38001-20
60B50059-60.............................................        38001-60
60B50059-62.............................................        38001-62
60B50059-69.............................................        38001-69
60B50059-70.............................................        38001-70
60B50059-81.............................................        38001-81
60B50059-94.............................................        38001-94
60B50059-95.............................................        38001-95
60B50059-101............................................       38001-101
60B50059-129............................................       38001-129
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane a crew oxygen hose with a part number identified in 
Table 1 of this AD.

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: Susan L. Monroe, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and 
Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6457; 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

[[Page 47210]]

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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 747-35A2101, Revision 
1, dated May 15, 2003 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 July 16, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-18619 Filed 8-4-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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