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

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 211 (Tuesday, November 3, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56717-56719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-25918]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1362; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-150-AD; 
Amendment 39-16067; AD 2009-22-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200C and 747-200F 
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 747-200C and 747-200F series airplanes. This AD requires 
installing larger moisture shrouds and additional drain lines in the 
electrical/electronic 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 
in the electrical/electronic units in the main equipment center, which 
could result in an electrical short and potential loss of several 
functions essential for safe flight.

DATES: This AD is effective December 8, 2009.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of December 8, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: For 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.

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

    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 747-200C and 747-200F series airplanes. That NPRM 
was published in the Federal Register on January 12, 2009 (74 FR 1158). 
That NPRM proposed to require installing larger moisture shrouds and 
additional drain lines in the electrical/electronic equipment center.

Actions Since NPRM Was Issued

    Paragraph (g) of the NPRM cited Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
25A3430, dated February 15, 2007, as the appropriate source of service 
information for the prior or concurrent action for the proposed 
installation; Boeing has revised this service bulletin. Boeing Service 
Bulletin 747-25A3430, Revision 1, dated October 9, 2008, moves certain 
airplanes to new groups 5 and 6, and adds respective weight and balance 
tables, materials, parts, and work instructions and figures, but does 
not add any new procedures. We have revised paragraph (g) of the final 
rule to refer to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25A3430, Revision 1, dated 
October 9, 2008, and added new paragraph (h) to this AD to give credit 
for accomplishing the original service bulletin before the effective 
date of this AD. We have re-identified subsequent paragraphs 
accordingly. We have also revised Note 1 of this AD to refer to 
Revision 1.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comments received from the two commenters.

Request for Terminology Clarification

    Boeing requests that we change the phrase ``reworking the base line 
(BL) 11 intercostals'' found in the Relevant Service Information 
section to ``reworking the butt line (BL) 11 intercostals.'' Boeing 
recommends using standard aerospace terminology for geometric 
dimensioning.
    We partially agree. The language Boeing proposes is the correct 
terminology, but the Relevant Service Information section in the NPRM 
is not repeated in the final rule. We have not changed the AD in this 
regard.

Request To Change Affected Airplanes

    Boeing requests that we revise the Costs of Compliance section of 
the NPRM to change the number of affected U.S. airplanes from 25 to 31. 
Current analysis of the Boeing Airplane Configuration Tracking System 
airplane database indicates 31 airplanes are affected.
    We agree, for the reason explained by the commenter. We have 
revised this final rule accordingly.

Request for No Requirement of Re-Installation of Curtains

    Northwest Airlines (Northwest) requests that we consider not 
requiring re-installation of curtains after accomplishing shroud 
installation per the instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
25A3431, dated March 6, 2008. Northwest explains that since 2001, it 
has operated two 747 freighters with the extended overhead moisture 
shrouds (similar to those installed per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-25A3431, dated March 6, 2008) that had been installed during a 
passenger-to-freighter conversion but did not have the curtains 
installed. Northwest explains that service experience on the

[[Page 56718]]

two airplanes showed that there were no moisture ingress problems.
    We disagree with the request. While Northwest may not have 
experienced moisture ingress problems on its two airplanes that have 
been operating without curtains, we cannot mandate fleet-wide action on 
data from two airplanes. The AD is intended to prevent water 
contamination in the electrical/electronic main equipment center of the 
fleet. However, under the provisions of paragraph (i) of this AD, 
Northwest may request an alternative method of compliance if it can 
provide data that substantiate the request. We have not changed this AD 
in this regard.

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 
the changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or 
increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 31 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. 
operators to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                                     Number of U.S.-
              Action                    Work hours        Average labor          Parts           Cost per product      registered         Fleet cost
                                                          rate per hour                                                 airplanes
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Installations....................  Up to 75............             $80  Up to $28,405.......  Up to $34,405.......              31  Up to $1,066,555.
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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

    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:

2009-22-14 Boeing: Amendment 39-16067. Docket No. FAA-2008-1362; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-150-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 8, 
2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-200C and 747-200F series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3431, dated March 6, 2008.

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 in the electrical/
electronic units in the main equipment center, which could result in 
an electrical short and potential loss of several functions 
essential for safe flight.

Compliance

    (e) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

Installation of Shrouds and Drain Lines

    (f) Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install larger moisture shrouds and additional drain lines, by doing 
all the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3431, dated 
March 6, 2008.

Installation of Moisture Curtains

    (g) Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the actions 
required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Install protective moisture 
curtains in the main equipment center in accordance with Boeing 
Service Bulletin 747-25A3430, Revision 1, dated October 9, 2008.

    Note 1: The installation required by paragraph (g) of this AD is 
the same installation required by paragraph (f) of AD 2007-26-03, 
amendment 39-15305, for Boeing Model 747-200C and -200F series 
airplanes (AD 2007-26-03 specifies that the actions be done in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3430, dated 
February 15, 2007). Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25A3430, Revision 1, 
dated October 9, 2008, which affects Boeing Model 747-200F 
airplanes, variable numbers RR566 and RR551 through RR556 inclusive, 
is an alternative method of compliance for the requirements of 
paragraph (g) of AD 2007-26-03. Airplanes identified as Group 1, 
Group 3, and Group 6 airplanes in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-
25A3430, Revision 1, dated October 9, 2008, must comply with 
paragraph (g) of AD 2007-26-03.

Installations Accomplished According to Previous Issue of Service 
Bulletin

    (h) Installations accomplished before the effective date of this 
AD in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3430, 
dated February 15, 2007, are considered

[[Page 56719]]

acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action, paragraph 
(g) 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 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to 
ATTN: 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. Or, e-mail 
information to [email protected].
    (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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3431, 
dated March 6, 2008; and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25A3430, 
Revision 1, dated October 9, 2008; as applicable; 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, 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.
    (3) 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.
    (4) 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 October 19, 2009.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-25918 Filed 11-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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