Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 5, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45324-45327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17922]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0790; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-061-AD; 
Amendment 39-17916; AD 2014-15-14]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 89-12-10, for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 747 airplanes. AD 89-12-10 required 
replacement of certain underwing fuel tank access doors with stronger, 
fire-resistant doors. This new AD requires inspecting certain fuel tank 
access doors for installation of impact-resistant doors, and stencils 
and index markers; corrective actions if necessary; revising the 
maintenance program to incorporate certain new airworthiness 
limitations; and adding airplanes to the applicability. This AD was 
prompted by a report of a standard access door installed instead of an 
impact-resistant access door and stencils missing from some impact-
resistant access doors and adjacent wing skin. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent foreign object penetration of the fuel tank, which could 
cause a fuel leak near an ignition source (e.g., hot brakes or engine 
exhaust nozzle), consequently leading to a fuel-fed fire.

DATES: This AD is effective September 9, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 9, 
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-
0790; 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: Suzanne Lucier, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6438; fax:

[[Page 45325]]

425-917-6590; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 89-12-10, Amendment 39-6230 (Docket No. 88-NM-
57-AD; 54 FR 23643, June 2, 1989). AD 89-12-10 applied to certain The 
Boeing Company Model 747 100, 747-200, 747-300, and 747SP series 
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 25, 
2013 (78 FR 58962). The NPRM was prompted by reports indicating that a 
standard access door was located where an impact-resistant access door 
was required, and stencils were missing from some impact-resistant 
access doors and adjacent wing skin. The NPRM proposed to require an 
inspection of the left- and right-hand wing fuel tank access doors to 
determine whether impact-resistant access doors are installed in the 
correct locations, and replacement of any standard door with an impact-
resistant access door if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to require 
an inspection for the presence of stencils and index markers on impact-
resistant access doors, and application of new stencils or index 
markers if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to require revising the 
maintenance program to incorporate changes to the airworthiness 
limitations section. The NPRM also proposed to add airplanes to the 
applicability. We are issuing this AD to prevent foreign object 
penetration of the fuel tank, which could cause a fuel leak near an 
ignition source (e.g., hot brakes or engine exhaust nozzle), 
consequently leading to a fuel-fed fire.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
(78 FR 58962, September 25, 2013) and the FAA's response to each 
comment.

Request To Revise Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document Number

    United Airlines requested that we revise the MPD document number 
specified in paragraph (h)(1) of the NPRM (78 FR 58962, September 25, 
2013) to reference Boeing 747-400 MPD Document D621U400-9, Revision 
August 2012. United Airlines pointed out that the airworthiness section 
of the document is located in Section 9 of the document identified as 
D621U400-9.
    We agree with the commenter for the reason provided. We have 
revised paragraph (h)(1) of this final rule accordingly.

Request To Reference Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM)

    British Airways (BA) stated the AMM would be a better location for 
an appropriate task than the maintenance program. BA stated that Task 
57-AWL-01, ``Impact-Resistant Fuel Tank Access Doors,'' of Sub-section 
B.2, ``Impact-Resistant Fuel Tank Access Doors,'' of Section B, 
``Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs)--Fuel Systems,'' of Section 9, 
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMRs), of the D621U400-9 Boeing 747-400 Maintenance 
Planning Data (MPD) Document D621U400-9, Revision August 2012, does not 
have a fixed interval or a defined inspection type, but simply requires 
that the access panels are verified to be impact resistant prior to 
installation. BA stated that this cannot be described as scheduled 
maintenance and does not consider the best place for this Critical 
Design Configuration Control Limitation (CDCCL) to be an operator's 
maintenance program. BA stated that many CDCCL items are satisfied 
through the AMM rather than with a maintenance program task. BA gave an 
example of CDCCL Task 28-AWL-16, ``Fuel Tank Access Doors 
Configuration'' of Sub-section B.1, ``AWLs--Fuel System Ignition 
Prevention,'' of Section B, ``Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs)--Fuel 
Systems,'' of Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), of the D621U400-9 Boeing 
747-400 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document D621U400-9, Revision 
August 2012, which also relates to fuel tank access door installation 
and has no fixed interval; however, this CDCCL requirement is satisfied 
through the AMM procedure relating to these panels, and not through a 
task in an operator's maintenance program.
    We infer that the commenter is requesting that Task 57-AWL-01, 
``Impact-Resistant Fuel Tank Access Doors,'' of Sub-section B.2, 
``Impact-Resistant Fuel Tank Access Doors,'' of Section B, 
``Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs)--Fuel Systems,'' of Section 9, 
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMRs), of the D621U400-9 Boeing 747-400 Maintenance 
Planning Data (MPD) Document D621U400-9, Revision August 2012, contain 
a reference to the AMM similar to CDCCL Task 28-AWL-16, ``Fuel Tank 
Access Doors Configuration'' of Sub-section B.1, ``AWLs--Fuel System 
Ignition Prevention,'' of Section B, ``Airworthiness Limitations 
(AWLs)--Fuel Systems,'' of Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) 
and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), of the D621U400-9 
Boeing 747-400 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document D621U400-9, 
Revision August 2012.
    We disagree with the request to add an AMM reference. The 
requirement specified in Task 57-AWL-01 identifies the safety critical 
item to be maintained and does not mandate a specific AMM. The 
inclusion of a reference to an AMM is not necessary. However, operators 
may refer to the AMMs that are referenced in CDCCL Task 28-AWL-16. We 
have not changed this AD in this regard.

Clarification of Inspection Area

    Paragraph (g)(2) of the NPRM (78 FR 58962, September 25, 2013) 
proposed to require an inspection for the presence of stencils and 
index markers on impact-resistant access doors, and application of new 
stencils or index markers if necessary. As specified in Boeing Service 
Bulletin 747-28-2315, dated January 11, 2012, the stencils and index 
markers are located on the doors and adjacent wing skin. Therefore, we 
have revised paragraph (g)(2) of this AD to specify doing an inspection 
for the presence of stencils and index markers on impact-resistant 
access doors and adjacent wing skin. We have also clarified in the 
SUMMARY section and Discussion paragraph of the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section that the AD was prompted by a report of a standard 
access door installed instead of an impact-resistant access door and 
stencils missing from some impact-resistant access doors and adjacent 
wing skin.

Clarification of Maintenance Program Revision

    Paragraph (h) of the NPRM (78 FR 58962, September 25, 2013) 
specifies that the actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of 
the NPRM must be done; however, the affected airplane models were not 
identified. We have revised paragraph (h)(1) of this AD to specify that 
the actions are applicable for Model 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F series 
airplanes. We have also revised paragraph (h)(2) of this AD to specify 
that the actions are applicable for Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B 
SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series 
airplanes.

[[Page 45326]]

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 change 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 (78 FR 58962, September 25, 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 58962, September 25, 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 189 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Parts
             Action                  Labor cost         cost        Cost per product     Cost on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.....................  Up to 13 work-             $0  Up to $1,105...........  Up to $208,845.
                                  hours x $85 per
                                  hour = $1,105.
Maintenance program revision...  1 work-hour x $85          $0  $85....................  $16,065.
                                  per hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these 
replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement (per door)........................  3 work-hours x $85 per hour =             $8,000          $8,255
                                                 $255.
Stencil and index marker (14 doors)...........  17 work-hours x $85 per hour =                $0           1,445
                                                 $1,445.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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

    We have determined that 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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
89-12-10, Amendment 39-6230 (Docket No. 88-NM-57-AD; 54 FR 23643, June 
2, 1989), and adding the following new AD:

2014-15-14 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17916; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0790; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-061-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 9, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 89-12-10, Amendment 39-6230 (Docket No. 88-
NM-57-AD; 54 FR 23643, June 2, 1989).

(c) Applicability

    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; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-28-2315, 
dated January 11, 2012.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by report of a standard access door 
installed instead of an impact-resistant access door and stencils 
missing from some impact-resistant access doors and adjacent wing 
skin. We are issuing this AD to prevent foreign object penetration

[[Page 45327]]

of the fuel tank, which could cause a fuel leak near an ignition 
source (e.g., hot brakes or engine exhaust nozzle), consequently 
leading to a fuel-fed fire.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection and Corrective Action

    Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 747-28-2315, dated January 11, 2012.
    (1) Do either a general visual inspection or ultrasonic non-
destructive test of the left- and right-hand wing fuel tank access 
doors to determine whether impact-resistant access doors are 
installed in the correct locations. If any standard access door is 
found, before further flight, replace with an impact-resistant 
access door, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-28-2315, dated January 11, 2012.
    (2) Do a general visual inspection of the left- and right-hand 
wing fuel tank impact-resistant access doors and adjacent wing skin 
to verify stencils and index markers are applied. If a stencil or 
index marker is missing, before further flight, apply a stencil or 
index marker, as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-28-2315, dated January 
11, 2012.

(h) Maintenance Program Revisions

    Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable.
    (1) For Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes: Revise 
the maintenance program to incorporate Critical Design Configuration 
Control Limitation (CDCCL) Task 57-AWL-01, ``Impact-Resistant Fuel 
Tank Access Doors,'' of Sub-section B.2, ``Impact-Resistant Fuel 
Tank Access Doors,'' of Section B, ``Airworthiness Limitations 
(AWLs)--Fuel Systems,'' of Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations 
(AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs) D621U400-9, 
of the Boeing 747-400 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document 
D621U400-9, Revision August 2012.
    (2) For Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-
200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes: Revise 
the maintenance program to incorporate CDCCL Task 57-AWL-01, 
``Impact-Resistant Fuel Tank Access Doors,'' of Sub-section C.2, 
``Impact-Resistant Fuel Tank Access Doors,'' of Section C, 
``Airworthiness Limitations--Fuel Systems,'' of the Boeing 747-100/
200/300/SP Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification 
Maintenance Requirements (CMRs) Document D6-13747-CMR, Revision 
August 2012.

(i) No Alternative Actions, Intervals, and/or CDCCL

    After accomplishing the revisions required by paragraph (h) of 
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, and/
or CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, intervals, and/or CDCCLs 
are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this 
AD.

(j) 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 (k) 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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Suzanne Lucier, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6438; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
[email protected].

(l) 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 747-28-2315, dated January 11, 2012.
    (ii) CDCCL Task 57-AWL-01, ``Impact-Resistant Fuel Tank Access 
Doors,'' of Sub-section B, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs)--Fuel 
Systems, of Section 9, D621U400-9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) 
and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs) of Boeing 747-400 
Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document, Revision August 2012.
    (iii) CDCCL Task 57-AWL-01, ``Impact-Resistant Fuel Tank Access 
Doors,'' of Sub-section C.2., ``Impact Resistant Fuel Tank Access 
Doors,'' of Section C, ``Airworthiness Limitations--Fuel Systems,'' 
of the Boeing 747-100/200/300/SP Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) 
and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs) Document D6-13747-
CMR, Revision August 2012.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (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 July 13, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-17922 Filed 8-4-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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