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

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 90 (Thursday, May 8, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25997-25999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9894]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0045; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-169-AD; 
Amendment 39-15501; AD 2008-09-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200F, 747-300, 747-
400, and 747-400D Series 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 
Boeing Model 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, and 747-400D series airplanes. 
This AD requires a detailed inspection to detect missing fasteners from 
the shear clip at a certain stub frame to auxiliary sill joint, and 
applicable related investigative and corrective actions. This AD 
results from reports of missing fasteners from the shear clip of the 
stub frame to auxiliary sill joint and cracking of the adjacent 
exterior skin and internal doubler. We are issuing this AD to ensure 
that fasteners are installed in the shear clip of the stub frame to 
auxiliary sill joint. Missing fasteners could result in cracks in the 
adjacent exterior skin and internal doubler, which can propagate and 
result in loss of structural integrity and sudden in-flight 
decompression of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective June 12, 2008.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 12, 
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: Ivan Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe 
Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind

[[Page 25998]]

Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6437; 
fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to 
certain Boeing Model 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, and 747-400D series 
airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on October 
17, 2007 (72 FR 58768). That NPRM proposed to require a detailed 
inspection to detect missing fasteners from the shear clip at a certain 
stub frame to auxiliary sill joint, and applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions.

New Service Bulletin Revision

    Since we issued the NPRM, we have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 
747-53A2685, Revision 1, dated March 13, 2008. Revision 1 clarifies 
certain figures and part and material content. No additional work is 
necessary for airplanes on which the actions have been done in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2685, dated May 
31, 2007 (referred to as the appropriate source of service information 
for accomplishing the actions specified in the NPRM). We have revised 
paragraphs (c), (f), and (g) of this AD to refer to Boeing Service 
Bulletin 747-53A2685, Revision 1, dated March 13, 2008. We have added a 
new paragraph (h) of this AD to give credit for actions done before the 
effective date of this AD according to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-53A2685, dated May 31, 2007, and redesignated subsequent paragraphs 
of the AD accordingly.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comments received from two commenters. 
Boeing requested that Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2685, Revision 1, 
dated March 13, 2008, be used instead of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-53A2685, dated May 31, 2007. All Nippon Airways requested 
clarification of technical information in the NPRM. These requests have 
been addressed in Revision 1 of the service bulletin, which is cited in 
the final rule.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD with the changes described previously. We also determined that 
these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or 
increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 98 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 8 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The required actions 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 the AD for U.S. operators is $640, or $80 per airplane.

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

    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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2008-09-20 Boeing: Amendment 39-15501. Docket No. FAA-2007-0045; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-169-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 12, 
2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 
and 747-400D series airplanes, certificated in any category; as 
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2685, Revision 1, dated 
March 13, 2008.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from two reports of cracks found in the 
exterior skin and internal doubler adjacent to the shear clip at the 
stub frame to auxiliary sill joint at stringer 30 (left and right 
sides), body station (BS) 488. In addition, on one of the airplanes, 
seven fasteners were missing from the shear clip on the left side of 
the airplane. The cause of the missing fasteners has been attributed 
to a manufacturing process error. We are issuing this AD to ensure 
fasteners in the shear clip of the stub frame to auxiliary sill 
joints (left and right sides) are installed. Missing fasteners could 
result in cracks in the adjacent exterior skin and internal doubler, 
which can propagate and result in loss of structural integrity and 
sudden in-flight decompression of the airplane.

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 Applicable Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

    (f) At the applicable compliance time and repeat intervals 
listed in Tables 1 and 2 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2685, Revision 1, dated March 13, 
2008; except where the service bulletin specifies a compliance time

[[Page 25999]]

after the date on the service bulletin, this AD requires compliance 
within the specified compliance time after the effective date of 
this AD: Do the inspection and applicable related investigative and 
corrective actions by accomplishing all the applicable actions 
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of the service 
bulletin, except as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD.

Repair of Cracks

    (g) If any crack is found during any inspection required by this 
AD, and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2685, Revision 1, dated March 
13, 2008, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before 
further flight, repair the crack using a method approved in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this 
AD.

Credit for Actions Done Using the Previous Service Information

    (h) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2685, dated May 
31, 2007, are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions specified in paragraph (f) 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, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an 
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized 
by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53A2685, Revision 
1, dated March 13, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 
98124-2207.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 23, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-9894 Filed 5-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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