Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 78 (Tuesday, April 22, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21526-21528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8531]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0410; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-362-AD; 
Amendment 39-15485; AD 2006-12-10 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 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 revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
that applies to certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes. That AD 
currently requires inspecting the support bracket of the crew oxygen 
cylinder installation to determine the manufacturing date marked on the 
support, and performing corrective action if necessary. This new AD 
retains all the requirements of the existing AD and expands the 
applicability of the existing AD to include certain airplanes that are 
not on the U.S. Register. This AD results from a report indicating that 
certain oxygen cylinder supports may not have been properly heat-
treated. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the oxygen 
cylinder support under the most critical flight load conditions, which 
could cause the oxygen cylinder to come loose and leak oxygen. Leakage 
of oxygen could result in oxygen being unavailable for the flightcrew 
or could result in a fire hazard in the vicinity of the leakage.

DATES: Effective May 7, 2008.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 7, 2008.
    On July 17, 2006 (71 FR 33604, June 12, 2006), the Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-35-2114, dated December 19, 
2002.
    We must receive comments on this AD by June 23, 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 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: Robert Hettman, 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) 917-6457; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On May 31, 2006, we issued AD 2006-12-10, amendment 39-14635 (71 FR 
33604, June 12, 2006), for certain Boeing Model 747-400 series 
airplanes (i.e., those identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-35-2114, dated December 19, 2002). That AD requires 
inspecting the support bracket of the crew oxygen cylinder installation 
to determine the manufacturing date marked on the support, and 
performing corrective action if necessary. That AD resulted from a 
report indicating that certain oxygen cylinder supports may not have 
been properly heat-treated. We issued that AD to prevent failure of the 
oxygen cylinder support under the most critical flight load conditions, 
which could cause the oxygen cylinder to come loose and leak oxygen. 
Leakage of oxygen could result in oxygen being unavailable for the 
flightcrew or could result in a fire hazard in the vicinity of the 
leakage.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2006-12-10, Boeing issued Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 747-35-2114, Revision 1, dated June 7, 2007, to add 
airplanes to the effectivity of the service bulletin. With the 
exception of the added airplanes, the actions specified in Revision 1 
are the same as those specified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-35-2114, dated December 19, 2002 (referenced as a source 
of service and applicability information in AD 2006-12-10).

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. For this reason, we 
are issuing this AD to revise AD 2006-12-10. This new AD retains the 
requirements of the existing AD. This AD also adds new airplanes to the 
applicability.

Costs of Compliance

    No airplane added to the applicability of this AD is currently on 
the U.S. Register. However, if any affected airplane is imported and 
placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it will be subject to the 
per-airplane cost specified below.
    There are about 83 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 15 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The required inspection will take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of this AD for U.S. operators is $1,200, or $80 per 
airplane.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    No additional airplanes affected by this AD are on the U.S. 
Register. We are issuing this AD because the unsafe condition described 
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the(se) 
same type design(s) that could be registered in the United States in 
the future. This AD requires inspecting the support bracket of the crew 
oxygen cylinder installation to determine the manufacturing date marked 
on the support, and performing corrective action if necessary.
    Since no additional airplanes that are U.S. registered are affected 
by this AD, notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing 
this AD are unnecessary.

[[Page 21527]]

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-2008-0410; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-362-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://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 
removing amendment 39-14635 (71 FR 33604, June 12, 2006) and adding the 
following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-12-10 R1 Boeing: Amendment 39-15485. Docket No. FAA-2008-0410; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-362-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective May 7, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD revises AD 2006-12-10.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 747-35-2114, Revision 1, dated June 7, 
2007.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report indicating that certain oxygen 
cylinder supports may not have been properly heat-treated. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the oxygen cylinder support 
under the most critical flight load conditions, which could cause 
the oxygen cylinder to come loose and leak oxygen. Leakage of oxygen 
could result in oxygen being unavailable for the flightcrew or could 
result in a fire hazard in the vicinity of the leakage.

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 Corrective Action

    (f) At the compliance time specified in paragraph (f)(1) or 
(f)(2) of this AD as applicable, except as provided by paragraph (g) 
of this AD: Inspect the support bracket of the crew oxygen cylinder 
installation to determine the manufacturing date marked on the 
support, and do the corrective action as applicable, by doing all of 
the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-35-2114, dated 
December 19, 2002; or Revision 1, dated June 7, 2007. Corrective 
action, if applicable, must be done before further flight after the 
inspection. After the effective date of this AD only Revision 1 of 
the service bulletin may be used.
    (1) For airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-35-2114, dated December 19, 2002: Within 18 months 
after July 17, 2006 (the effective date of AD 2006-12-10).
    (2) For airplanes not identified in Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 747-35-2114, dated December 19, 2002: Within 18 
months after the effective date of this AD.
    (g) If the configuration of the crew oxygen cylinder 
installation is changed from a one-cylinder to a two-cylinder 
configuration: Do the actions required by paragraph (f) of this AD 
before further flight after the change in configuration, or at the 
applicable time specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2), whichever 
is later.
    (1) For airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-35-2114, dated December 19, 2002: Within 18 months 
after July 17, 2006.
    (2) For airplanes not identified in Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 747-35-2114, dated December 19, 2002: Within 18 
months after the effective date of this AD.

Parts Installation

    (h) At the time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this 
AD as applicable, no person may install an oxygen cylinder support 
bracket having part number 65B68258-2 and having a manufacturing 
date between 10/01/98 and 03/09/01 inclusive (meaning, a 
manufacturing date of 10/01/98 or later and 03/09/01 or earlier).
    (1) For airplanes identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-35-2114, dated December 19, 2002: As of July 17, 2006.
    (2) For airplanes not identified in Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 747-35-2114, dated December 19, 2002: As of the 
effective date of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
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,

[[Page 21528]]

notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight 
Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2006-12-10, 
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph 
(f) and (g) of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-
35-2114, dated December 19, 2002; or Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 747-35-2114, Revision 1, dated June 7, 2007; as 
applicable; to perform the actions that are required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-35-2114, Revision 1, dated June 7, 2007, in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) On July 17, 2006 (71 FR 33604, June 12, 2006), the Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-35-2114, dated 
December 19, 2002.
    (3) 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 98057-3356; 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 April 14, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-8531 Filed 4-21-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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