Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200C and -200F Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 241 (Monday, December 17, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71218-71220]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24340]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28924; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-051-AD; 
Amendment 39-15305; AD 2007-26-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200C and -200F Series 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Boeing Model 747-200C and -200F series airplanes. This AD 
requires, among other actions, installing mounting brackets, support 
angles, and moisture curtains in the main equipment center. This AD 
results from reports of water contamination in the electrical/
electronic units in the main equipment center. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent water contamination of the electrical/electronic units, 
which could cause the electrical/electronic units to malfunction, and 
as a consequence, could adversely affect the airplane's continued safe 
flight.

DATES: This AD becomes effective January 22, 2008.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of January 22, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: 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 evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document 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: Marcia Smith, 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) 917-6484; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would

[[Page 71219]]

apply to certain Boeing Model 747-200C and -200F series airplanes. That 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 16, 2007 (72 FR 
45954). That NPRM proposed to require, among other actions, installing 
mounting brackets, support angles, and moisture curtains in the main 
equipment center.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comment received.

Request To Refer to Earlier Revision of a Referenced Service Bulletin

    Boeing requests that paragraph (g) of the NPRM be revised to 
include Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-38A2073, Revision 1, dated 
June 21, 1990; and Revision 2, dated April 26, 2001; as additional 
sources of service information for accomplishing the prior or 
concurrent requirements. Boeing states that this will align the NPRM 
with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-38A2073, Revision 3, dated May 
22, 2003 (referred to in the NPRM as an appropriate source of service 
information for accomplishing the prior or concurrent requirements).
    We partially agree. We agree with Boeing that accomplishing the 
actions specified in Revisions 1 and 2 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-38A2073 is acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD. However, we do not agree that a 
change to the final rule is necessary. As mentioned in the Relevant 
Service Information section of the NPRM, AD 2001-24-30, amendment 39-
12547 (66 FR 64104, December 12, 2001), requires installing drip 
shields in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-38A-2073, 
Revision 2; or in accordance with Revision 1 or Original Release, dated 
November 30, 1989, if done before the effective date of that AD. In 
addition, paragraph (h) of this AD states, ``Installation of drip 
shields before the effective date of this AD in accordance with 
paragraph (a) and Note 2 of AD 2001-24-30, amendment 39-12547, is 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions in paragraph 
(g) of this AD.'' We have made no change to the final rule in this 
regard.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has 
advised that it currently is developing another modification that will 
address the unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this 
modification is developed, approved, and available, the FAA might 
consider additional rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 79 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                                          Number of U.S.-
                         Action                             Work hours     Average labor       Parts         Cost per       registered      Fleet cost
                                                                           rate per hour                     airplane        airplanes
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Installation............................................               3             $80          $8,960          $9,200              25        $230,000
Prior or concurrent requirements of AD 2001-24-30.......              32              80           4,497           7,057              25         176,425
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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); 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):

2007-26-03 Boeing: Amendment 39-15305. Docket No. FAA-2007-28924; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-051-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective January 22, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

[[Page 71220]]

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-200C and -200F series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3430, dated February 15, 2007.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of water contamination in the 
electrical/electronic units in the main equipment center. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent water contamination of the electrical/
electronic units, which could cause the electrical/electronic units 
to malfunction, and as a consequence, could adversely affect the 
airplane's continued safe flight.

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.

Installations

    (f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install mounting brackets, support angles, and moisture curtains in 
the main equipment center, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3430, dated 
February 15, 2007.

Prior or Concurrent Requirements

    (g) For airplanes identified as Group 1 and Group 3 airplanes in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3430, dated February 15, 2007: 
Prior to or concurrently with the requirements of paragraph (f) of 
this AD, install drip shields (including a drip pan assembly, drain 
tubing, and attaching hardware) over the forward, outboard halves of 
the E1-1 and E3-1 shelves in the main equipment bay, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-38A2073, Revision 3, dated May 22, 2003.
    (h) Installation of drip shields before the effective date of 
this AD in accordance with paragraph (a) and Note 2 of AD 2001-24-
30, amendment 39-12547, is acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(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

    (j) You must use the service bulletins identified in Table 1 of 
this AD 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 these documents 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.

                                  Table 1.--Material Incorporated by Reference
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           Service Bulletin                        Revision level                            Date
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Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-      Original...........................  February 15, 2007.
 25A3430.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-      3..................................  May 22, 2003.
 38A2073.
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    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 10, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-24340 Filed 12-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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