Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 30 (Friday, February 14, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9590-9592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02643]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2408; Project Identifier AD-2024-00362-T; 
Amendment 39-22958; AD 2025-03-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400F, 747-8F, and 747-8 
series airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that, during potable 
water servicing, there were multiple engine indicating and crew 
alerting system messages. The cause was the separation of a fitting and 
steel water supply tube above an electronics equipment cooling air 
filter, behind the forward cargo compartment left sidewall. This AD 
requires, depending on configuration, installing at certain locations: 
conduits on exposed potable water supply lines, envelope assemblies 
over all exposed potable water line fittings and exposed potable water 
supply lines, a slitted spray shield, a two-piece deflector shield 
around the equipment cooling system (ECS) air inlet, and/or a shroud on 
exposed potable water supply lines. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 21, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 21, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2408; 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, any comments received, and other 
information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For Boeing material 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; website myboeingfleet.com.
    <bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety 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 at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2408.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney Tuck, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-
231-3986; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA 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, 747-400F, 747-8F, and 747-8 series airplanes. 
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 12, 2024 (89 FR 
88906). The NPRM was prompted by a report that, during potable water 
servicing, there were multiple engine indicating and crew alerting 
system messages. The cause was the separation of a fitting and steel 
water supply tube above an electronics equipment cooling air filter, 
behind the forward cargo compartment left sidewall. In the NPRM, the 
FAA proposed to require, depending on configuration, installing at 
certain locations: conduits on exposed potable water supply lines, 
envelope assemblies over all exposed potable water line fittings and 
exposed potable water supply lines, a slitted spray shield, a two-piece 
deflector shield around the ECS air inlet, and/or a shroud on exposed 
potable water supply lines. The FAA is issuing this AD to address water 
leaks into the main electronics center. This condition, if not 
addressed, could result in an adverse impact on the function of 
multiple electronics and line replaceable units (LRUs) in the equipment 
bay racks that are essential for safe flight, which can lead to the 
loss of continued safe flight and landing.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from Air Line Pilots Association, 
International (ALPA) who supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered any comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this 
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will 
increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-38A2146 RB, 
dated August 7, 2024. This material specifies procedures for, depending 
on configuration, installing: conduits on exposed potable water supply 
lines between station (STA) 580 and STA 650, between STA 575 and STA 
650, or between STA 595 and STA 650, as applicable; envelope assemblies 
over all exposed potable water line fittings and exposed potable water 
supply lines between STA 650 and STA 660, between STA 640 and STA 660, 
between STA 570 and STA 580, between STA 570 and STA 580 and between 
STA 650 and STA 660, between STA 580 and STA 600 and between STA 650 
and STA 660, or between STA 580 and STA 600, as applicable; a slitted 
spray shield; a two-piece deflector shield around the ECS air inlet STA 
610; a spray shield; and/or a shroud on exposed potable water supply 
line between STA 550 and STA 680.
    This material 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.

[[Page 9591]]

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 178 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Cost on U.S.
             Action                    Labor cost            Parts cost      Cost per product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installations..................  Up to 22 work-hours x   Up to $4,980.....  Up to $6,850.....  Up to $1,219,300.
                                  $85 per hour = Up to
                                  $1,870.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected operators.

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.
    The FAA is 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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.

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:

2025-03-10 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22958; Docket No. FAA-
2024-2408; Project Identifier AD-2024-00362-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 21, 2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400F, 
747-8F, and 747-8 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-38A2146 RB, 
dated August 7, 2024.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 38, Water/waste.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that, during potable water 
servicing, there were multiple engine indicating and crew alerting 
system messages. The cause was the separation of a fitting and steel 
water supply tube above an electronics equipment cooling air filter, 
behind the forward cargo compartment left sidewall. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address water leaks into the main electronics 
center. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an 
adverse impact on the function of multiple electronics and line 
replaceable units (LRUs) in the equipment bay racks that are 
essential for safe flight, which can lead to the loss of continued 
safe flight and landing.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the 
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-38A2146 RB, dated August 7, 2024, do 
all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 
747-38A2146 RB, dated August 7, 2024.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions 
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-38A2146, dated August 7, 2024, which is referred to in Boeing 
Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-38A2146 RB, dated August 7, 2024.

(h) Exception to Requirements Bulletin Specifications

    Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the 
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-
38A2146 RB, dated August 7, 2024, refer to the original issue date 
of Requirements Bulletin 747-38A2146 RB, this AD requires using the 
effective date of this AD.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety 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 
responsible Flight Standards 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 responsible Flight Standards 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 Company Organization Designation 
Authorization

[[Page 9592]]

(ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, AIR-520, Continued 
Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Courtney Tuck, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 
98198; phone: 206-231-3986; email: [email protected].
    (2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by 
reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (k)(3) 
of this AD.

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-38A2146 RB, dated 
August 7, 2024.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Boeing material 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; website myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety 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 material at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].

    Issued on February 7, 2025.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-02643 Filed 2-13-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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