Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200B, 747-300, and 747-400 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 241 (Monday, December 17, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71210-71212]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24334]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0336; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-201-AD; 
Amendment 39-15308; AD 2007-26-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200B, 747-300, and 
747-400 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Boeing Model 747-200B, 747-300, and 747-400 series airplanes. 
This AD requires an inspection to determine the manufacturer and 
manufacture date of the oxygen masks in the passenger service units of 
the outboard and center main deck, the flight attendant service units, 
flightcrew rest, upper and lower module of the door 5 overhead crew 
rest, lavatory modules, and miscellaneous ceiling panels, as 
applicable, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. 
This AD results from a report that several passenger masks with broken 
in-line flow indicators were found following a mask deployment. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent the in-line flow indicators of the passenger 
oxygen masks from fracturing and separating, which could inhibit oxygen 
flow to the masks and consequently result in exposure of the passengers 
and cabin attendants to hypoxia following a depressurization event.

DATES: This AD becomes effective January 2, 2008.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of January 2, 
2008.
    We must receive comments on this AD by February 15, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing 
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; 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

[[Page 71211]]

evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Letcher, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6474; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We have received a report indicating that several passenger masks 
with broken in-line flow indicators were found following a mask 
deployment on a Boeing Model 777-200 series airplane. Operators 
subsequently found several more broken in-line flow indicators after 
examining the oxygen mask assemblies on other Model 777 series 
airplanes and on Model 747-400 series airplanes. Investigation revealed 
that certain flow indicators are weaker and can fracture because of 
internal residual stresses caused by the flow indicator joint design 
and manufacturing processes. Fractures cause the in-line flow indicator 
to separate and consequently prevent oxygen flow to the mask during an 
emergency. This condition, if not corrected, could result in exposure 
of the passengers and cabin attendants to hypoxia following a 
depressurization event.
    The oxygen masks on certain Model 777 airplanes and Model 747-400 
series airplanes have the same flow indicators as those installed on 
certain Model 747-200B and -300 series airplanes. Therefore, the Model 
747-200B and -300 series airplanes are also subject to the identified 
unsafe condition. We are addressing the unsafe condition on the Model 
777 airplanes in another rulemaking action.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 747-35-2119, dated 
November 30, 2006. The service bulletin describes procedures for doing 
a general visual inspection to determine the manufacturer and 
manufacture date of the oxygen masks in each of the oxygen boxes in the 
passenger service units of the outboard and center main deck, the 
flight attendant service units, flightcrew rest, upper and lower module 
of the door 5 overhead crew rest, lavatory modules, and miscellaneous 
ceiling panels, as applicable. The service bulletin also describes 
procedures for doing related investigative and corrective actions. The 
related investigative action includes doing a general visual inspection 
of each flow indicator to determine the color of the flow direction 
mark and the word ``flow'' on the flow indicator, if the identification 
(ID) label shows that the manufacturer is B/E Aerospace and the 
manufacture date is from January 1, 2002, through March 1, 2006. The 
corrective action includes replacing the oxygen mask assembly with a 
new oxygen mask assembly having an improved flow indicator, if the flow 
direction mark and the word ``flow'' on the flow indicator of the 
existing oxygen mask are not green and the letter ``W'' is shown on the 
right side of the ID label.
    Boeing Service Bulletin 747-35-2119 refers to B/E Aerospace Service 
Bulletin 174080-35-01, dated February 6, 2006; and Revision 1, dated 
May 1, 2006; as additional sources of service information for replacing 
an oxygen mask assembly with a new oxygen mask assembly having an 
improved flow indicator. B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 174080-35-01 
describes procedures for modifying the oxygen mask assembly by 
replacing the flow indicator, part number (P/N) 118023-02, with an 
improved flow indicator, P/N 118023-12. B/E Aerospace Service Bulletin 
174080-35-01 also specifies that, as an alternative to modifying the 
oxygen mask, operators may replace the oxygen mask with a new oxygen 
mask having the improved flow indicator.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other airplanes of the same type design that may be 
registered in the U.S. at some time in the future. Therefore, we are 
issuing this AD to prevent the in-line flow indicators of the passenger 
oxygen masks from fracturing and separating, which could inhibit oxygen 
flow to the masks and consequently result in exposure of the passengers 
and cabin attendants to hypoxia following a depressurization event. 
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Clarification Between the AD and Service Bulletin

    Although Boeing Service Bulletin 747-35-2119 specifies to replace 
the oxygen mask assembly with a new oxygen mask assembly having an 
improved flow indicator, the intent of the service bulletin is to 
replace it with either a new or modified oxygen mask assembly having an 
improved flow indicator. Therefore, this proposed AD would require 
replacing the oxygen mask assembly with a new or modified oxygen mask 
assembly having an improved flow indicator.

Costs of Compliance

    None of the airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S. 
Register. All airplanes affected by this AD are currently operated by 
non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they are not 
directly affected by this AD action. However, we consider this AD 
necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed if any 
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future.
    If an affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register 
in the future, the required actions would take about 141 work hours per 
airplane, assuming an average of 600 oxygen masks per airplane 
distributed in about 150 oxygen boxes, at an average labor rate of $80 
per work hour. Required parts would cost about $6 per oxygen mask, or 
$3,600 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the 
AD would be up to $14,880 per airplane.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    No airplane affected by this AD is currently on the U.S. Register. 
Therefore, providing notice and opportunity for public comment is 
unnecessary before this AD is issued, and this AD may be made effective 
in less than 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments before it becomes effective. However, we invite 
you to send any written data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send 
your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include 
``Docket No. FAA-2007-0336; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-201-AD'' at 
the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the 
overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend this AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://

[[Page 71212]]

www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about 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 the regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-26-06 Boeing: Amendment 39-15308. Docket No. FAA-2007-0336; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-201-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective January 2, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-200B, 747-300, and 747-
400 series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in 
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-35-2119, dated November 30, 2006.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that several passenger masks 
with broken in-line flow indicators were found following a mask 
deployment. We are issuing this AD to prevent the in-line flow 
indicators of the passenger oxygen masks from fracturing and 
separating, which could inhibit oxygen flow to the masks and 
consequently result in exposure of the passengers and cabin 
attendants to hypoxia following a depressurization event.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspection and Related Investigative/Corrective Actions if Necessary

    (f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
general visual inspection to determine the manufacturer and 
manufacture date of the oxygen masks in each of the oxygen boxes in 
the passenger service units of the outboard and center main deck, 
the flight attendant service units, flightcrew rest, upper and lower 
module of the door 5 overhead crew rest, lavatory modules, and 
miscellaneous ceiling panels, as applicable, and do all the 
applicable related investigative and corrective actions, by 
accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-35-2119, 
dated November 30, 2006; except where the service bulletin specifies 
replacing the oxygen mask assembly with a new oxygen mask assembly, 
replace it with a new or modified oxygen mask assembly having an 
improved flow indicator. The related investigative and corrective 
actions must be done before further flight.

    Note 1: The service bulletin refers to B/E Aerospace Service 
Bulletin 174080-35-01, dated February 6, 2006; and Revision 1, dated 
May 1, 2006; as additional sources of service information for 
modifying the oxygen mask assembly by replacing the flow indicator 
with an improved flow indicator.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 747-35-2119, dated 
November 30, 2006, to perform the actions that are required by this 
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Boeing 
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207, 
for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or 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 December 10, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-24334 Filed 12-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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