Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 192 (Friday, October 3, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59633-59635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23377]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0283; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-183-AD; 
Amendment 39-17980; AD 2014-20-07]
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) 2010-03-05 for 
all the Boeing Company Model 747-200C and -200F series airplanes. AD 
2010-03-05 required, for the upper chords of the upper deck floor beam 
of section 41, an inspection for cracking of certain fastener holes, 
and corrective action if necessary; and repetitive replacements of the 
upper chords, straps (or angles), and radius fillers of certain upper 
deck floor beams and, for any replacement that is done, inspections for 
cracking, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD adds 
repetitive inspections of the upper chords of the upper deck floor beam 
of Section 42, repetitive replacements of the upper chords, post-
replacement inspections, and corrective actions if necessary. This new 
AD also adds post-replacement inspections for section 41 and reduces 
certain compliance times. This AD was prompted by a determination that 
the upper deck floor beams are subject to widespread fatigue damage 
(WFD), the existing inspection program is not sufficient to maintain an 
acceptable level of safety, and the upper chords of the upper deck 
floor beam of section 42 are subject to the unsafe condition. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the upper chords and 
straps (or angles) of the floor beams, which could lead to failure of 
the floor beams and consequent loss of controllability, rapid 
decompression, and loss of structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective November 7, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 7, 
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-2014-
0283; 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: Roger Caldwell, Aerospace Engineer, 
Technical Operations Center, ANM-100D, FAA, Denver Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 26805 East 68th Avenue, Room 214, Denver, 
CO 80249; phone: 303-342-1086; fax: 303-342-1088; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2010-03-05, Amendment 39-16188 (75 FR 5692, 
February 4, 2010). AD 2010-03-05 applied to all The Boeing Company 
Model 747-200C and -200F series airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on May 28, 2014 (79 FR 30486). The NPRM was prompted 
by a determination that the upper deck floor beams are subject to WFD, 
the existing inspection program is not sufficient to maintain an 
acceptable level of safety, and the upper chords of the upper deck 
floor beams in section 42 are subject to the identified unsafe 
condition. The NPRM proposed to add post-replacement inspections for 
section 41 and reduce certain compliance times. The NPRM also proposed 
to add repetitive inspections of the upper chords of the upper deck 
floor beams in section 42, repetitive replacements of the upper chords, 
post-replacement inspections, and corrective action if necessary. We 
are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the upper chords 
and straps (or angles) of the floor beams, which could lead to failure 
of the floor beams and consequent loss of controllability, rapid 
decompression, and loss of structural integrity of the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comment received. Boeing stated that it 
concurs with the contents of the NPRM (79 FR 30486, May 28, 2014).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 30486, May 28, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 30486, May 28, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 25 airplanes of U.S. registry.

[[Page 59634]]

    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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained inspection and           663 work-hours x    $0................  $56,355 per         $1,408,875 per
 replacement (AD 2010-03-05,       $85 per hour =                          inspection/         inspection/
 Amendment 39[dash]16188 (75 FR    $56,355.                                replacement cycle.  replacement
 5692, February 4, 2010)).                                                                     cycle.
New post-replacement              Up to 525 work-     $0................  $44,625...........  Up to $1,115,625.
 inspections--section 41.          hours x $85 per
                                   hour = $44,625
                                   \1\.
New inspections, replacement,     Up to 525 work-     Manufacturer has    $44,625...........  Up to $1,115,625.
 and post[dash]replacement         hours x $85 per     not provided cost
 inspections--section 42.          hour = $44,625      of parts.
                                   \1\.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes time to manufacture parts.

    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

    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) 
2010-03-05, Amendment 39-16188 (75 FR 5692, February 4, 2010), and 
adding the following new AD:

2014-20-07 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17980; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0283; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-183-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective November 7, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2010-03-05, Amendment 39-16188 (75 FR 5692, 
February 4, 2010).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-200C and -
200F series airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that the upper deck 
floor beams are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD), the 
existing inspection program is not sufficient to maintain an 
acceptable level of safety, and upper chords of the upper deck floor 
beam of section 42 are subject to the unsafe condition. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the upper chords 
and straps (or angles) of the floor beams, which could lead to 
failure of the floor beams and consequent loss of controllability, 
rapid decompression, and loss of structural integrity of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection and Replacement for the Upper Chords of the Upper Deck 
Floor Beam of Section 41

    At the applicable time specified in Table 1 of paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, 
Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012: At stations (STA) 340 through STA 
440, STA 500, and STA 520, do an open-hole high frequency eddy 
current (HFEC) inspection at all accessed fastener holes to detect 
cracking; and install new upper deck floor beam upper chords, 
straps, angles, and radius fillers; in accordance with Part 2 and 
Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012.

(h) Post-Replacement Inspections and Replacements for the Upper Chords 
of the Upper Deck Floor Beam of Section 41

    At the applicable time specified in Table 2 of paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, 
Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012; or within 1,500 flight cycles 
after March 11, 2010 (the effective date of AD 2010-03-05, Amendment 
39-16188 (75 FR 5692, February 4, 2010)); whichever occurs later: Do 
detailed and HFEC inspections to detect cracking of the replaced 
upper deck floor beam chords, the floor panel attachment holes, and 
the permanent fastener locations of the replaced upper deck floor 
beam chords, in accordance

[[Page 59635]]

with Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012. If 
no cracking is found, do the actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1) 
and (h)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Do the detailed and HFEC inspections of the replaced upper 
deck floor beam chords within 3,000 flight cycles after the most 
recent inspection, or within 300 flight cycles after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, and repeat thereafter at 
the applicable time specified in Table 2 of paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, 
Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012.
    (2) Do the open-hole HFEC inspection and chord replacement 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD at the applicable time 
specified in Table 2 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated April 12, 
2012, or within 240 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs later. Repeat the inspections and replacement 
specified in paragraph (h) of this AD at the applicable time 
specified in Table 2 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated April 12, 
2012.

(i) Inspection and Replacement for the Upper Chords of the Upper Deck 
Floor Beam of Section 42

    At the applicable time specified in Tables 3 and 4 of paragraph 
1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, 
Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012, except as required by paragraph 
(l) of this AD: Do the actions specified in paragraph (i)(1) or 
(i)(2) of this AD as applicable.
    (1) At STA 540 through STA 740 for Group 1 airplanes identified 
in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated 
April 12, 2012: Do an open-hole HFEC inspection to detect cracking, 
and install new upper deck floor beam upper chord replacements, in 
accordance with Part 7 and Part 8 of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated 
April 12, 2012.
    (2) At STA 540 through STA 780 for Group 2 airplanes identified 
in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated 
April 12, 2012: Do an open-hole HFEC inspection to detect cracking, 
and install new upper deck floor beam upper chord replacements, in 
accordance with Part 7 and Part 8 of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated 
April 12, 2012.

(j) Post-Replacement Inspections and Replacement for the Upper Chords 
of the Upper Deck Floor Beam of Section 42

    At the applicable time specified in Table 5 of paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, 
Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012; or within 1,500 flight cycles 
after March 11, 2010 (the effective date of AD 2010-03-05, Amendment 
39-16188 (75 FR 5692, February 4, 2010)); whichever occurs later: Do 
HFEC inspections to detect cracking of the replaced upper deck floor 
beam chords, in accordance with Part 9 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 
1, dated April 12, 2012. If no crack is found, do the actions 
specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Repeat the HFEC inspections of the replaced upper deck floor 
beam chords thereafter at the applicable time specified Table 5 of 
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012.
    (2) Do the open-hole HFEC inspection and chord replacement 
required by paragraph (i) of this AD at the applicable time 
specified in Table 5 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated April 12, 
2012. Repeat the inspections and replacement, as specified in 
paragraph (j) of this AD, at the applicable time specified in Table 
5 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012.

(k) Corrective Actions

    If any cracking is found during any inspection required by this 
AD, before further flight, repair using a method approved in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (o) of this 
AD.

(l) Exception to Service Information Specifications

    Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, 
dated April 12, 2012, specifies a compliance time ``after the 
revision 1 date on this service bulletin,'' this AD requires 
compliance within the specified compliance time ``after the 
effective date of this AD.''

(m) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the installation of floor 
beam replacements required by this AD, if those actions were 
performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, dated October 16, 2008. (This service 
bulletin was incorporated by reference in AD 2010-03-05, Amendment 
39-16188 (75 FR 5692, February 4, 2010)).

(n) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), are not allowed.

(o) 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 persons identified in paragraph (p)(1) 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.

(p) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Nathan Weigand, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6428; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (q)(3) and (q)(4) of this AD.

(q) 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 Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated 
April 12, 2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (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 September 20, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-23377 Filed 10-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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