Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15654-15657]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06004]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0089; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-166-AD; 
Amendment 39-17806; AD 2014-06-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company 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 
The Boeing Company Model 747-400 series airplanes. This AD was prompted 
by reports of auxiliary power unit (APU) faults due to power feeder 
cable chafing. This AD requires detailed inspections for damage of the 
APU power feeder cables; replacing the clamps and installing grommets; 
and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct chafing of the APU power feeder 
cables within a flammable fluid leakage zone, which, with arcing, could 
result in fire and structural damage.

DATES: This AD is effective April 25, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 25, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service information 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA. 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://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
0089; 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 Docket 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: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-
917-6482; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company 
Model 747-400 series airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on February 7, 2013 (78 FR 8999). The NPRM was prompted by 
reports of APU faults due to power feeder cable chafing. The NPRM 
proposed to require detailed inspections for damage of the APU power 
feeder cables; replacing the clamps and installing grommets; and 
related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct chafing of the APU power feeder 
cables within a flammable fluid leakage zone, which, with arcing, could 
result in fire and structural damage.

Relevant Service Information

    Since we issued the NPRM (78 FR 8999, February 7, 2013), we 
reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 2, dated October 
2, 2013. (The NPRM referenced Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, 
Revision 1, dated May 2, 2012, as the appropriate source of service 
information for accomplishing the required actions.) Boeing Service 
Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 2, dated October 2, 2013, among other 
things, revises the recommended compliance time from 14 months to 18 
months. For information on the procedures and compliance times, see 
this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-0089.
    We have determined that extending the compliance time, as 
recommended by the manufacturer, will not adversely affect safety. We 
have revised the compliance time in paragraph (g) of this AD 
accordingly. We have also revised paragraphs (c), (g), (h), and (i) of 
this AD to refer to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 2, 
dated October 2, 2013.

[[Page 15655]]

    In addition, we have revised paragraph (j) of this final rule to 
include Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated 
May 2, 2012, for credit for the actions required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of 
this AD.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
(78 FR 8999, February 7, 2013) and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Extend Compliance Time

    KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) requested that we revise the 
compliance time of the NPRM (78 FR 8999, February 7, 2013) from 14 
months to 36 months. KLM explained that due to the possible operational 
impact when damage is found, and since the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 2, dated October 2, 
2013, are performed with electrical power removed, the recommended 
maintenance check to perform Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, 
Revision 2, dated October 2, 2013, is a C-check, and therefore 14 
months is not effective.
    We disagree with the request to extend the compliance time to 36 
months. Based on a review of the safety aspects and the potential 
impact to the affected fleet, in conjunction with the latest 
recommendation from Boeing, as discussed previously, we determined that 
an extension of the compliance time to 18 months for this final rule is 
appropriate.

Request for Clarification of a Possible Process To Prevent Undoing the 
Actions Required by ADs

    United Airlines (UA) requested clarification of a possible process 
to prevent undoing the actions required by ADs. UA stated that clamp 
replacement could take place by non-routine maintenance after 
accomplishment of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 
1, dated May 2, 2012, and could undo the mandate of the NPRM (78 FR 
8999, February 7, 2013). UA asked if there are any means that this AD 
or future ADs will mandate a process to identify items/areas affected 
by the AD that may be followed by the industry and original equipment 
manufacturers (OEMs) so as not to undo the AD.
    We acknowledge that operators must prevent non-routine maintenance 
from impacting AD requirements. The FAA worked in conjunction with 
industry, under the Airworthiness Directives Implementation Aviation 
Rulemaking Committee (ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement 
involves design approval holder (DAH) recommendations to evaluate the 
potential for undoing an AD-mandated configuration during all stages of 
design and development of service bulletins, maintenance documents, or 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA). Refer to Advisory 
Circular (AC) 20-176, dated December 19, 2011 (http://rgl.avs.faa.gov/
Regulatory--and--Guidance--Library/rgAdvisoryCircular.nsf/0/
a78cc91a47b192278625796b0075f419/$FILE/AC%2020-176.pdf). The DAH 
recommendations in this AC are voluntary.
    Also in response to the AD Implementation ARC, the FAA released AC 
39-9, (http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC%2039-9%20CHG%201.pdf). This AC includes guidance to operators for 
developing an AD management process that includes information about 
preventative measures to eliminate and/or mitigate the risk of altering 
the AD configuration. It is the responsibility of operators to apply 
necessary controls to maintain the airplane in accordance with the 
required configuration of an AD. However, given the variety of 
maintenance and inspection programs of affected operators, we do not 
believe it is necessary or appropriate to prescribe a particular 
process to ensure that operators fulfill this responsibility. We have 
made no changes to this final rule in this regard.

Request for Clarification of Compliance Time

    Virgin Atlantic Airways (the commenter) requested that we clarify 
the compliance time of the NPRM (78 FR 8999, February 7, 2013). The 
commenter explained that the compliance time is not clear because 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 
2012, states a recommended compliance time of 14 months from the date 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 
2012, but that paragraph (h)(2) of the NPRM states, ``this AD requires 
compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective 
date of this AD.''
    Boeing requested that we clarify the compliance time of the NPRM 
(78 FR 8999, February 7, 2013). Boeing explained that paragraph (h)(2) 
of the NPRM states: ``Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, 
Revision 1, dated May 2, 2012, specifies a compliance time after the 
date on the service bulletin, this AD requires compliance within the 
specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.'' Boeing 
stated that the compliance statement within Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 2012, states: ``Boeing 
recommends that the inspection, change and/or repair given in this 
service bulletin be done within 14 months after the Revision 1 date of 
this service bulletin.''
    We agree to clarify the compliance time. The NPRM (78 FR 8999, 
February 7, 2013) referred to the compliance times specified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 2012, 
except that where the service bulletin specifies a compliance time 
after the date on the service bulletin, this AD would require a 
compliance time within a specified compliance time after the effective 
date of this AD. In other words, where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 2012, specifies a compliance time 
of ``within 14 months after the Revision 1 date of this service 
bulletin,'' the NPRM would require a compliance time of ``within 14 
months after the effective date of this AD.'' However, as stated 
previously, we have extended the compliance time and stated it directly 
in paragraph (g) of this AD.

Request To Revise Parts Installation Limitation

    Boeing requested that we revise the NPRM (78 FR 8999, February 7, 
2013) to either remove the requirement in paragraph (i) of the NPRM, 
which only allows the use of part number (P/N) TA025097L16 clamps, or 
that we remove the size suffix (16) from the part number (e.g., P/N 
TA025097L()). Boeing explained that the variability in wire bundle size 
due to different wire types/part numbers or wire quantity sometimes 
requires clamp sizing flexibility. Boeing also expressed that paragraph 
(i) conflicts with Note 5 of paragraph 3.A., ``GENERAL INFORMATION,'' 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 
2012.
    Virgin Atlantic Airways also requested that we revise paragraph (i) 
of the NPRM (78 FR 8999, February 7, 2013) to not specify the clamp 
size. Virgin Atlantic Airways explained that if an operator needs to 
install a different size clamp, then that would require requesting an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) to comply with this AD.

[[Page 15656]]

    We agree with the request to revise paragraph (i) in this final 
rule. Paragraph (i) as written in the NPRM (78 FR 8999, February 7, 
2013), would not allow the flexibility needed to use a different size 
clamp of the same basic part number to accommodate wire bundle size 
differences. We have revised paragraph (i) of this final rule by adding 
a parenthesis ``()'', which designates different size clamps to 
accommodate possible wire bundle diameter size differences. We disagree 
to remove paragraph (i) in this final rule because installation of an 
improper or unsafe clamp may be detrimental to the safety of the 
airplane.

Request for Clarification of Areas Affected by the Parts Installation 
Limitation

    Virgin Atlantic Airways requested that we clarify paragraph (i) of 
the NPRM (78 FR 8999, February 7, 2013). Virgin Atlantic Airways 
explained that the current wording in paragraph (i) of the NPRM can be 
interpreted as if it applies to the entire aircraft and not just those 
clamps that are required to be replaced as per Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 2012.
    We agree to revise paragraph (i) of this final rule. Paragraph (i), 
as written in the NPRM (78 FR 8999, February 7, 2013), could be 
misinterpreted to mean it applies to all areas of the airplane when, in 
fact, it applies to those areas of the airplane identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 2, dated October 2, 2013. We 
have revised paragraph (i) of this final rule accordingly.

Request To Delay the NPRM (78 FR 8999, February 7, 2013)

    Mr. David Jiang, a private citizen, requested that we delay the 
NPRM (78 FR 8999, February 7, 2013), until more independent research to 
assess the cost to Boeing can be performed. Mr. Jiang explained that 
the estimate in the NPRM is not correct and would like the FAA to 
disclose how we calculated the cost associated with inspecting and 
replacing the affected clamps and grommets. Mr. Jiang expressed that if 
independent third-party entities determine that the financial costs of 
these minor repairs outweigh other concerns, perhaps this AD will be 
scrapped entirely, saving Boeing and the public much unnecessary work 
and expense.
    We disagree to delay this final rule. The estimated costs of the 
inspections and replacement of the clamps and grommets, which are 
industry accepted, have been thoroughly assessed by Boeing, and is part 
of the Boeing service information provided to the operators. The safety 
merits of this final rule have also been assessed by both Boeing and 
the FAA, and it was determined that this final rule needs to be 
released in order to maintain an acceptable level of safety for the 
affected airplanes. We have made no changes to this final rule in this 
regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> [Agr]re consistent with the intent that was proposed in 
the NPRM (78 FR 8999, February 7, 2013) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 8999, February 7, 2013).
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 55 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection, and clamp and         6 work-hours x $85  $70...............  $580 per            $31,900 per
 grommet replacement.              per hour = $510                         inspection cycle.   inspection cycle.
                                   per inspection
                                   cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.

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:

[[Page 15657]]

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):

2014-06-02 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17806; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0089; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-166-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 25, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 2, dated October 2, 2013.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical 
Power.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of auxiliary power unit (APU) 
faults due to power feeder cable chafing. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct chafing of the APU power feeder cables within a 
flammable fluid leakage zone, which, with arcing, could result in 
fire and structural damage.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection, Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

    Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Do a 
detailed inspection for damage (e.g., surface finish integrity, 
excessive wear or possible heat damage) of the APU power feeder 
cables within each wire bundle on the left and right sides of the 
bulkhead, and do all applicable related investigative and corrective 
actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 2, dated October 2, 
2013; except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD. If no damage 
is found during this inspection, before further flight, replace the 
clamp(s) and install grommets, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 2, 
dated October 2, 2013. Do all applicable related investigative and 
correction actions before further flight. Where Boeing Service 
Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 2, dated October 2, 2013, specifies 
installation of a clamp having part number (P/N) TA025097L16, a 
clamp having P/N TA025097L() may be installed instead.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD:  The parenthesis ``()'' 
designates different size clamps, to accommodate possible wire 
bundle diameter size differences.

(h) Exceptions to the Service Information

    If any damage is found during any inspection required by this 
AD, and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 2, dated 
October 2, 2013, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action: 
Before further flight, repair the damage using a method approved in 
accordance with paragraph (k) of this AD.

(i) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on 
any airplane, any wiring support clamp, except for part number 
TA025097L(), in those areas of the airplane identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 2, dated October 2, 2013.

    Note 2 to paragraph (i) of this AD:  The parenthesis ``()'' 
designates different size clamps, to accommodate possible wire 
bundle diameter size differences.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
24A2360, dated January 18, 2012; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 2012; which are not 
incorporated by reference in this AD.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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 paragraph (l) of this AD. 
Information may be emailed 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.
    (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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Georgios 
Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6482; fax: 425-917-6590; 
email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference may be obtained at the addresses specified 
in paragraphs (m)(3) and (m)(4) of this AD.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 2, dated 
October 2, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Boeing service information identified in this AD, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 
Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; 
telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet 
https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 7, 2014.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-06004 Filed 3-20-14; 8:45 am]
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