Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23619-23622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-11284]



[[Page 23619]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0450; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-182-AD; 
Amendment 39-15908; AD 2009-10-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. The existing 
AD currently requires modifying the inflation systems of the upper deck 
escape slides; single-piece off-wing escape ramps/slides; two-piece 
off-wing escape slides; and door 1, 2, 4, and 5 escape slides/rafts; as 
applicable. This AD expands the applicability to include an additional 
airplane. This AD results from a report of 30- to 60-second delays in 
the inflation of escape slides/rafts. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
actuation delays in the inflation systems of the escape slides/rafts, 
which could result in delayed or failed deployment of escape slides/
rafts during emergency evacuation of an airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 4, 2009.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of June 4, 2009.
    On September 13, 2005 (70 FR 46067, August 9, 2005), the Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3279, Revision 1, dated July 11, 2002; 
and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3232, dated July 6, 2000.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by July 20, 2009.

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 Boeing service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207; telephone 206-544-9990; fax 206-766-5682; e-mail [email protected]; 
Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. For Goodrich service 
information identified in this AD, contact Goodrich Corporation, 
Aircraft Interior Products, ATTN: Technical Publications, 3414 South 
Fifth Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85040; telephone 602-243-2270; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet http://www.goodrich.com/TechPubs.

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: Andrew Guion, 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) 917-6428; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    On July 29, 2005, we issued AD 2005-16-06, amendment 39-14211 (70 
FR 46067, August 9, 2005). That AD applies to certain Boeing Model 747 
airplanes. That AD requires modifying the inflation systems of the 
upper deck escape slides; single-piece off-wing escape ramps/slides; 
two-piece off-wing escape slides; and door 1, 2, 4, and 5 escape 
slides/rafts as applicable. That AD resulted from a report of 30- to 
60-second delays in the inflation of escape slides/rafts. The actions 
specified in that AD are intended to prevent actuation delays in the 
inflation systems of the escape slides/rafts, which could result in 
delayed or failed deployment of escape slides/rafts during emergency 
evacuation of an airplane.

Actions Since AD Was Issued

    Since we issued that AD, we have been advised that one additional 
airplane may be subject to the identified unsafe condition.

Relevant Service Information

    AD 2005-16-06 referred to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3279, 
Revision 1, dated July 11, 2002, as the appropriate source of service 
information for the modification required by paragraph (f) of that AD. 
Since we issued that AD, Boeing has revised that service bulletin. 
Revision 4, dated December 11, 2008, provides the same procedures as 
those specified in Revision 1, but adds airplane RG162 to the 
effectivity.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of this AD

    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 retains the requirements of the AD 2005-16-06. This 
AD supersedes AD 2005-16-06 to add one airplane.
    Since the added airplane is not on the U.S. Register, notice and 
opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are unnecessary.

Differences Between the AD and Service Information

    Although Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3279, Revision 1, dated 
July 11, 2002; Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3279, Revision 4, dated 
December 11, 2008; and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3232, dated July 
6, 2000; recommend accomplishing the modification at ``the next 
scheduled evacuation system overhaul,'' we have determined that this 
imprecise compliance time does not address the identified unsafe 
condition in a timely manner. In developing an appropriate compliance 
time for this AD, we considered not only the manufacturer's 
recommendation, but also the degree of urgency associated with 
addressing the subject unsafe condition, the average utilization of the 
affected fleet, and the time necessary to perform the modifications. In 
light of all of these factors, we find a compliance time of 36 months 
for completing the actions to be warranted, in that it represents an 
appropriate interval of time for affected airplanes to continue to 
operate without compromising safety. This compliance time has been 
coordinated with the manufacturer.

[[Page 23620]]

Change to Existing AD

    This AD retains all requirements of AD 2005-16-06. Since AD 2005-
16-06 was issued, the AD format has been revised, and certain 
paragraphs have been rearranged. As a result, the corresponding 
paragraph identifiers have changed in this AD, as listed in the 
following table:

                      Revised Paragraph Identifiers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Corresponding  requirement
       Requirement in AD 2005-16-06                  in this AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
paragraph (e).............................  paragraph (f).
paragraph (f).............................  paragraph (g).
paragraph (g).............................  paragraph (h).
paragraph (h).............................  paragraph (i).
paragraph (i).............................  paragraph (j).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Costs of Compliance

    The newly added airplane is not on the U.S. Register; therefore, it 
is not directly affected by this AD action. However, we consider this 
AD necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed if that 
affected airplane is imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future. For that airplane, the costs to comply with this AD would be 
the same as the costs provided in the existing AD which are restated 
below, with a revised average labor rate of $80 per work hour.

                                        Estimated Costs of AD 2005-16-06
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Number of U.S.-
             Model                Work hours       Parts costs       Cost per       registered      Fleet cost
                                                                     airplane        airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -                12  $34,832 (2 each:         $35,792              53      $1,896,976
 200B, and -200C series                          doors 1, 2, 4,
 airplanes, identified as                        5, upper deck,
 Group 1 in Boeing Service                       and two-piece
 Bulletin 747-25-3279.                           off-wing).
747-200B and -300 series                     8  $26,368 (2 each:          27,008               4         108,032
 airplanes, identified as                        doors 1, 2, 4,
 Group 2 in Boeing Service                       and 5).
 Bulletin 747-25-3279.
747-200B series airplanes,                  10  $30,600 (2 each:          31,400               1          31,400
 identified as Group 3 in                        doors 1, 2, 4,
 Boeing Service Bulletin 747-                    5, and two-
 25-3279.                                        piece off-wing).
747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -                10  $30,600 (2 each:          31,400              17         533,800
 200B, 747SP, and 747SR series                   doors 1, 2, 4,
 airplanes, identified as                        and 5, and
 Group 4 in Boeing Service                       upper deck).
 Bulletin 747-25-3279.
747-200F and -400F series                    2  $4,232 (2 upper            4,392              32         140,544
 airplanes, identified as                        deck doors).
 Group 5 in Boeing Service
 Bulletin 747-25-3279.
747-200B series airplanes,                   2  $4,232 (2 two-             4,392               0               0
 identified as Group 6 in                        piece off-wing
 Boeing Service Bulletin 747-                    doors).
 25-3279.
747-400 and -400D series                     2  $8,250 (2 single-          8,410              59         496,190
 airplanes, identified in                        piece off-wing
 Boeing Service Bulletin 747-                    doors).
 25-3232.
747-200B series airplanes,                  10  $30,600 (2 each:          31,400               3          94,200
 identified as Group 4 in                        doors 1, 2, 4,
 Boeing Service Bulletin 747-                    5, upper deck,
 25-3279 and also identified                     and single-
 in Boeing Service Bulletin                      piece off-wing).
 747-25-3232.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-2009-0450; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-182-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

[[Page 23621]]

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 part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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 39-14211 (70 FR 46067, August 9, 2005) and adding 
the following new AD:

2009-10-12 Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2009-0450; Directorate Identifier 
2008-NM-182-AD; Amendment 39-15908.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective June 4, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2005-16-06.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the airplanes listed in Table 1 of this 
AD, certificated in any category.

                         Table 1--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Boeing--                        As identified in--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B,  Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-
 -200C, -200F, -300, -400F, 747SP, and    3279, Revision 4, dated
 747SR series airplanes.                  December 11, 2008.
Model 747-200B, -200C, -300, -400, and - Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-
 400D series airplanes.                   3232, dated July 6, 2000.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25: 
Equipment/Furnishings.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from a report of 30- to 60-second delays in 
the inflation of escape slides/rafts. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent actuation delays in the inflation systems of the escape 
slides/rafts, which could result in delayed or failed deployment of 
escape slides/rafts during emergency evacuation of an airplane.

Compliance

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

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2005-16-06

Modification for Upper Deck, Two-Piece Off-Wing, and Door 1, 2, 4, and 
5 Slides and Slide/Rafts

    (g) For Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -200F, -
300, -400F, 747SP, and 747SR series airplanes identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 747-25-3279, Revision 1, dated July 11, 2002: 
Within 36 months after September 13, 2005 (the effective date of AD 
2005-16-06), do the actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and 
(g)(2) of this AD, as applicable, in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin 747-25-3279, Revision 1, dated July 11, 2002; or Revision 
4, dated December 11, 2008. After the effective date of this AD, 
only Revision 4 of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3279 can be used 
to accomplish the requirements of this paragraph.
    (1) Modify the inflation systems of the upper deck and two-piece 
off-wing escape slides.
    (2) Modify the inflation systems of the door 1, 2, 4, and 5 
escape slides/rafts, as applicable.

    Note 1: Boeing Service Bulletins 747-25-3279, Revision 1, dated 
July 11, 2002, and 747-25-3279, Revision 4, dated December 11, 2008; 
refer to Goodrich Service Bulletin 4A3037-25-327, dated November 30, 
2001; Goodrich Service Bulletin 4A3056-25-331, dated December 21, 
2001; and Goodrich Service Bulletin 4A3221-25-332, dated December 
21, 2001; as additional sources of service information for doing the 
modifications.

Modification for Single-Piece Off-Wing Ramp/Slides

    (h) For Model 747-200B, -200C, -300, -400, and -400D series 
airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3232, dated 
July 6, 2000: Within 36 months after September 13, 2005, modify the 
inflation system of the single-piece off-wing escape ramps/slides, 
in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3232, dated July 
6, 2000.

    Note 2: Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3232, dated July 6, 2000, 
refers to Goodrich Service Bulletin 4A3416-25-305, Revision 2, dated 
October 15, 2001, as an additional source of service information for 
doing the modification.

Parts Installation

    (i) For airplanes identified in paragraph (g) or (h) of this AD: 
As of September 13, 2005, unless the regulator assembly of the 
inflation system has been modified in accordance with paragraph (g) 
or (h) of this AD, as applicable, no person may install on any 
airplane a regulator assembly with any of the following part numbers 
(P/Ns): P/N 4A3047, -2, -3, -4, -5, -8, -9, or -10; P/N 4A3194-1, -
2, -3, or -4; or P/N 4A3474-3.

Credit for Previous Service Bulletin

    (j) Actions done before September 13, 2005, in accordance with 
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3279, dated May 16, 2002, are 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of 
paragraph (g) of this AD.

New Requirements of This AD

Modification for Upper Deck, Two-Piece Off-Wing, and Door 1, 2, 4, and 
5 Slides and Slide/Rafts

    (k) For Model 747SP airplane with the variable number RG162: 
Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do the actions 
specified in paragraphs (k)(1) and (k)(2) of this AD, in accordance 
with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3279, Revision 4, dated December 
11, 2008.
    (1) Modify the inflation systems of the upper deck and two-piece 
off-wing escape slides.
    (2) Modify the inflation systems of the door 1, 2, 4, and 5 
escape slides/rafts.

Actions Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (l) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD 
according to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3279, Revision 2, dated 
July 26, 2006; or Revision 3, dated January 18, 2007; are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified 
in paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (m) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD 
according to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-3279, dated May 16, 
2002; Revision 1, dated July 11, 2002; Revision 2, dated July 26, 
2006; or Revision 3, dated January 18, 2007; are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified 
in paragraph (k) of this AD.

[[Page 23622]]

Parts Installation for RG162

    (n) For Model 747SP airplane with the variable number RG162: As 
of the effective date of this AD, unless the regulator assembly of 
the inflation system has been modified in accordance with paragraph 
(k) of this AD, no person may install on that airplane a regulator 
assembly with any of the following part numbers (P/Ns): P/N 4A3047, 
-2, -3, -4, -5, -8, -9, or -10; P/N 4A3194-1, -2, -3, or -4; or P/N 
4A3474-3.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (o)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to 
ATTN: Andrew Guion, 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) 917-6428; fax (425) 917-6590.
    (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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2005-16-06 
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (p) You must use the service information contained in Table 2 of 
this AD, as applicable, to do the actions required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise.

                                 Table 2--All Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Boeing Service Bulletin--                   Revision--                           Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
747-25-3232..............................  Original....................  July 6, 2000.
747-25-3279..............................  1...........................  July 11, 2002.
747-25-3279..............................  4...........................  December 11, 2008.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information contained in 
Table 3 of this AD under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

                                 Table 3--New Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Boeing Service Bulletin--                   Revision--                           Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
747-25-3279..............................  4...........................  December 11, 2008.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (2) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved 
the incorporation by reference of the service information contained 
in Table 4 of this AD on September 13, 2005 (70 FR 46067, August 9, 
2005).

                             Table 4--Material Previously Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Boeing Service Bulletin--                   Revision--                           Dated--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
747-25-3232..............................  Original....................  July 6, 2000.
747-25-3279..............................  1...........................  July 11, 2002.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (3) For Boeing service information identified in this AD, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 
Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; 
telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. For 
Goodrich service information identified in this AD, contact Goodrich 
Corporation, Aircraft Interior Products, ATTN: Technical 
Publications, 3414 South Fifth Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85040; 
telephone 602-243-2270; e-mail [email protected]; 
Internet http://www.goodrich.com/TechPubs.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.
    (5) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference 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 May 6, 2009.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-11284 Filed 5-19-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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