Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 8, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38957-38959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16509]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0276; Product Identifier 2017-NM-079-AD; Amendment 
39-19346; AD 2018-16-06]
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 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -
200F, -300, -400, -400D, 747SP, and 747SR, and 747-8 series airplanes. 
This AD was prompted by reports indicating that additional areas of 
Boeing Material Specification (BMS) 8-39 flexible urethane foam were 
found during an inspection required by a related AD. This AD requires 
inspecting for BMS 8-39 flexible urethane foam insulation in the floor 
panel assemblies and the power drive unit (PDU) cover assemblies, doing 
applicable on-condition actions, modifying certain dripshields, and 
replacing BMS 8-39 foam strips on certain dripshields with BMS 8-371 
foam strips. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective September 12, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 12, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data 
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 
90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this service information at the 
FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
206-231-3195. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0276.

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-2018-
0276; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket Operations, 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: Scott Craig, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3566; 
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 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, -400, -
400D, 747SP, and 747SR, and 747-8 series airplanes. The NPRM published 
in the Federal Register on April 17, 2018 (83 FR 16796). The NPRM was 
prompted by reports indicating that additional areas of BMS 8-39 
flexible urethane foam were found during an inspection required by a 
related AD. The NPRM proposed to require inspecting for BMS 8-39 
flexible urethane foam insulation in the floor panel assemblies and the 
PDU cover assemblies, doing applicable on-condition actions, modifying 
certain dripshields, and replacing BMS 8-39 foam strips on certain 
dripshields with BMS 8-371 foam strips.
    We are issuing this AD to address BMS 8-39 flexible urethane foam 
in certain areas, which, if exposed to an ignition source, could cause 
an uncontrolled fire leading to loss of control of the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. We have considered the comment received. Boeing stated 
that it had no objection to the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule 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 for addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed the following Boeing service information.
    <bullet> Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-53-2877, 
dated August 5, 2014, which describes procedures for performing a 
general visual inspection for BMS 8-39 flexible urethane foam 
insulation in the floor panel assemblies and the PDU cover assemblies, 
and applicable on-condition actions.
    <bullet> Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3646, 
Revision 1, dated

[[Page 38958]]

August 2, 2017, which describes procedures for replacing BMS 8-39 foam 
strips with BMS 8-371 foam strips on certain dripshields.
    <bullet> Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3692, 
dated June 22, 2016, which describes procedures for modifying and 
replacing BMS 8-39 foam strips with BMS 8-371 foam strips on certain 
dripshields.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 87 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 replacement......  25 work-hour x $85  Up to $184,460....  Up to $186,585....  Up to $6,157,305
                                   per hour = $2,125.                                          (33 airplanes
                                                                                               affected).
Modification and installation of  10 work-hours x     Unavailable \1\...  $850..............  $44,200 (52
 the dripshields.                  $85 per hour =                                              airplanes
                                   $850.                                                       affected).
Replacement of the foam on the    8 work-hours x $85  Unavailable \1\...  $680..............  $4,760 (7
 dripshields.                      per hour = $680.                                            airplanes
                                                                                               affected).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide parts cost estimates as the parts and
  materials are to be supplied by the operator for the actions specified in this AD.

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
    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 available 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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes and 
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

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):

2018-16-06 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-19346; Docket No. FAA-
2018-0276; Product Identifier 2017-NM-079-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 12, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes, certificated in 
any category, as identified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) 
of this AD.
    (1) Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -300, 
-400, -400D, 747SP, and 747SR series airplanes, as identified in 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-53-2877, dated August 
5, 2014.
    (2) Model 747-400, -400D, and 747-8 series airplanes, as 
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3646, 
Revision 1, dated August 2, 2017.
    (3) Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -300, 747SP, and 
747SR series airplanes, as identified in Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 747-25-3692, dated June 22, 2016.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings; 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports indicating that additional areas 
of Boeing Material Specification (BMS) 8-39 flexible urethane foam 
were found during an inspection required by a related AD. The 
degradation of the foam increases the

[[Page 38959]]

potential for an uncontrolled fire below the passenger compartment 
floor and other locations outside the areas covered by smoke 
detection and fire protection systems. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and replace BMS 8-39 flexible urethane foam in certain areas, 
which, if exposed to an ignition source, could cause an uncontrolled 
fire leading to loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, do all 
actions identified as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in, and in 
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable 
service information identified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and 
(g)(3) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD: 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-53-2877, dated August 
5, 2014.
    (2) For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD: 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3646, Revision 1, 
dated August 2, 2017.
    (3) For airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(3) of this AD: 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3692, dated June 
22, 2016.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-25-3646, dated June 19, 2015.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (j)(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, modification, or alteration 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 Branch, to make those findings. To be approved, 
the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation 
must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval 
must specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs 
(i)(4)(i) and (i)(4)(ii) of this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the 
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is 
required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and 
identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Scott Craig, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section, 
FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-
231-3566; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (k)(3) and (k)(4) of this AD.

(k) 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 Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3646, 
Revision 1, dated August 2, 2017.
    (ii) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3692, 
dated June 22, 2016.
    (iii) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-53-2877, 
dated August 5, 2014.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services 
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
206-231-3195.
    (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 Des Moines, Washington, on July 23, 2018.
James Cashdollar,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-16509 Filed 8-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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