Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F Series Airplanes Equipped With General Electric CF6-80C2 or Pratt & Whitney PW4000 Series Engines

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 11, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27244-27246]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10692]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0706; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-064-AD; 
Amendment 39-16683; AD 2011-10-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-
400D, and 747-400F Series Airplanes Equipped With General Electric CF6-
80C2 or Pratt & Whitney PW4000 Series Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD requires modifying certain thrust 
reverser control system wiring to the flap control unit (FCU). This AD 
was prompted by a report of automatic retraction of the leading edge 
flaps due to indications transmitted to the FCU from the thrust 
reverser control system during takeoff. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent automatic retraction of the leading edge flaps during takeoff, 
which could result in reduced climb performance and consequent 
collision with terrain and obstacles or forced landing of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective June 15, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of June 15, 2011.

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:[sol][sol]www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies 
of the referenced 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at 
http:[sol][sol]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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is 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: Tung Tran, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 
425-917-6505; fax 425-917-6590; e-mail: [email protected].

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 
the

[[Page 27245]]

specified products. That NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
August 5, 2010 (75 FR 47245). That NPRM proposed to require modifying 
certain thrust reverser control system wiring to the flap control unit 
(FCU).

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to each comment.

Support for the NPRM

    Boeing, Airline Pilots Association, International (ALPA), and Japan 
Airlines International (JAL) support the intent of the NPRM.

Requests To Use Latest Service Information

    JAL and All Nippon Airways (ANA) requested that we update the NPRM 
to reference Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-78-2183, 
Revision 1, dated December 23, 2010. The commenters stated that Boeing 
has issued Boeing Service Bulletin Information Notice 747-78-2183 IN 
01, dated May 6, 2010, to correct the operational test procedure. The 
NPRM referred to Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-78-2183, 
dated January 12, 2010.
    We agree to reference the latest service information and have 
changed paragraph (h) of this AD to reference Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 747-78-2183, Revision 1, dated December 23, 2010. We 
have also changed paragraph (g) of this AD to reference Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-78A2184, Revision 1, dated December 23, 2010, 
which was also revised (the NPRM referred to Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-78A2184, dated January 12, 2010). Changes to these service 
bulletins include changes to the functional test tasks to better 
describe the use of pneumatic and electrical power, and to provide a 
better sequence of test tasks.
    We have also added paragraph (i) to this AD to give credit to 
operators for accomplishing the actions specified in Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 747-78-2183 and Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-78A2184, both dated January 12, 2010. We have re-
identified subsequent paragraphs 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--and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    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

    We estimate that this AD affects 98 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate that it will take 1 work-hour per product to comply with this 
AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would 
cost $0 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of 
this AD to the U.S. operators to be $8,330, 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    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):

2011-10-02 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16683; Docket No. FAA-
2010-0706; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-064-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective June 15, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-
400D, and 747-400F series airplanes; certificated in any category; 
equipped with General Electric CF6-80C2 series engines or Pratt & 
Whitney PW4000 series engines, as applicable.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 78: Engine 
exhaust.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD was prompted by a report of automatic retraction of 
the leading edge flaps due to indications transmitted to the flap 
control unit (FCU) from the thrust reverser control system during 
takeoff. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to 
prevent automatic retraction of the leading edge flaps during 
takeoff, which could result in reduced climb performance and 
consequent collision with terrain and obstacles or forced landing of 
the airplane.

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.

Modification

    (g) For Model 747-400 and -400F airplanes equipped with Pratt & 
Whitney Model PW4000 series engines: Within 36 months

[[Page 27246]]

after the effective date of this AD, modify the thrust reverser 
control system wiring to the FCU in the P252 and P253 thrust 
reverser relay panels, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-78A2184, Revision 
1, dated December 23, 2010.
    (h) For Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F airplanes equipped with 
General Electric Model CF6-80C2 series engines: Within 36 months 
after the effective date of this AD, modify the thrust reverser 
control system wiring to the FCU in the P414 and P415 power 
distribution panels, in accordance with Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 747-78-2183, Revision 1, dated December 23, 2010.

Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    (i) Modifying the thrust reverser control system wiring before 
the effective date of this AD, in accordance with Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 747-78-2183 or Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-78A2184, both dated January 12, 2010, as applicable, is 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding modification 
required by paragraph (g) or (h) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(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. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in the Related Information 
section of this AD. Information may be e-mailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

Related Information

    (k) For more information about this AD, contact Tung Tran, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6505; fax: 425-917-6590; e-
mail: [email protected].
    (l) For information about AMOCs, contact Tung Tran, Aerospace 
Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6505; fax: 425-917-6590; e-mail: 
[email protected].

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (m) You must use Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-
78-2183, Revision 1, dated December 23, 2010; or Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-78A2184, Revision 1, dated December 23, 2010; 
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 the 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 an NARA facility, 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 April 20, 2011.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-10692 Filed 5-10-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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