Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, and 747SR Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 232 (Friday, December 4, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63590-63592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28552]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0553; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-199-AD; 
Amendment 39-16111; AD 2009-24-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-
200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, and 747SR Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are issuing a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, and 747SR 
series airplanes. This AD requires a one-time general visual inspection 
for missing fasteners in certain stringer-to-stringer clip joints at 
the station (STA) 760 through STA 940 frames, and related investigative 
and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from a report of 
broken and cracked frame shear ties, cracks on the frame doubler and 
frame web, and missing fasteners in the stringer (S) -10L stringer-to-
stringer clip joint at the STA 820 frame. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct missing fasteners in the stringer-to-stringer clip 
joints, which could result in shear tie and skin cracks and rapid in-
flight decompression of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective January 8, 2010.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of January 8, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: For 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.

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: Nick Kusz, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
917-6449; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 63591]]

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 Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, and 
747SR series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register 
on June 23, 2009 (74 FR 29630). That NPRM proposed to require a one-
time general visual inspection for missing fasteners in certain 
stringer-to-stringer clip joints at the station (STA) 760 through STA 
940 frames, and related investigative and corrective actions if 
necessary.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comment received. Boeing concurs with the 
contents of the NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 84 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Average labor rate                                              Number of U.S.-
            Action                  Work hours             per hour                Parts         Cost per product  registered airplanes     Fleet cost
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection...................                     4                   $80                    $0  $320 per                            84  $26,880 per
                                                                                                  inspection                              inspection
                                                                                                  cycle.                                  cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

2009-24-17 Boeing: Amendment 39-16111. Docket No. FAA-2009-0553; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-199-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 8, 
2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 
747-200C, 747-200F, and 747SR series airplanes, certificated in any 
category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2751, dated October 9, 2008.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53: 
Fuselage.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from a report of broken and cracked frame 
shear ties, cracks on the frame doubler and frame web, and missing 
fasteners in the stringer (S)-10L stringer-to-stringer clip joint at 
the station (STA) 820 frame. We are proposing this AD to detect and 
correct missing fasteners at the stringer-to-stringer clip joints, 
which could result in shear tie and skin cracks and rapid in-flight 
decompression of the airplane.

Compliance

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

Inspection for Missing Fasteners

    (g) Within 3,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this 
AD: Do a one-time general visual inspection for missing fasteners in 
the left and right side S-10, S-10A, and S-11 stringer-to-stringer 
clip joints at the STA 760 through 940 frames, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-53A2751, dated October 9, 2008. If any fasteners are missing, 
before further flight, do detailed and surface high frequency eddy 
current inspections to detect cracking of the adjacent frame and 
skin structure in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the service bulletin. Install all missing fasteners before further 
flight.
    (h) If any crack is found during the inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, repair any cracked 
shear ties, frame web, and/or skin in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-53A2751, dated October 9, 2008.
    (i) If any repair is done in accordance with paragraph (h) of 
this AD, before 20,000 total flight cycles or within 3,000 flight 
cycles from the repair installation, whichever occurs later: Do a 
detailed inspection of the repair(s) and the adjacent structure 
within 10

[[Page 63592]]

inches of the repair(s) for cracking. Repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight cycles. If any 
crack is found during this inspection, before further flight, repair 
using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (j) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(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: Nick Kusz, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6449; 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, in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a principal 
inspector, your local FSDO. The AMOC approval letter must 
specifically reference this AD.
    (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. For a repair 
method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis 
of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this 
AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2751, 
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, 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.
    (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 November 19, 2009.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-28552 Filed 12-3-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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