[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 11, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62667-62669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26105]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-1065; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-007-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by reports of water leaking into electrical and electronic
equipment in the main equipment center, which could result in an
electrical short and potential loss of several functions essential for
safe flight. This proposed AD would require modifying the floor panels,
removing drains; installing floor supports, floor drain trough
doublers, drain troughs, and drains; and sealing and taping the floor
panels. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 25,
2011.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
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.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.
O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; phone: 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax: 206-766-5680; e-mail: [email protected];
Internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the
referenced 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.
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 proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Francis Smith, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety & Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6596; fax: 425-917-6590; e-mail:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-1065;
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-007-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed 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 proposed AD.
Discussion
We have received reports of water leaking into electrical and
electronic equipment in the main equipment center on Model 747-400
Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) airplanes. The water leaked through
the main deck floor panels, fasteners, and floor fittings. The source
of the water includes rain and snow coming in through the main deck
doors, as well as wet cargo. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in an electrical short and potential loss of several functions
essential for safe flight.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3586,
dated November 12, 2010. This service information describes procedures
for the following actions at stations 210 and 530.
Modifying by removing and reworking floor panels
Removing drains
Installing new floor supports
Installing floor drain trough doublers, and drain troughs
Installing new drains
Additionally, in certain areas between stations 140 and 640, this
service information describes installing sealant and tape.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
[[Page 62668]]
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 12 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Floor panel reworking and sealing; Up to 644 work-hours x $64,033 Up to $118,773..................... Up to $1,425,276.
installing drains, drain trough $85 per hour = $54,740.
doublers, and drain troughs.
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According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
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 determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2011-1065;
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-007-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by November 25, 2011.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400 series
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3586, dated November 12,
2010.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment and Furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of water leaking into electrical
and electronic equipment in the main equipment center. We are
issuing this AD to prevent water from entering the main equipment
center, which could result in an electrical short and potential loss
of several functions essential for safe flight.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Floor Panel Sealing
Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the
floor panels; remove drains; install floor supports, floor drain
trough doublers, drain troughs, and drains; and seal and tape the
floor panels; at the applicable locations; in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 747-25-3586, dated November 12, 2010.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(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. In accordance with 14
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the
attention of the person identified in the Related Information
section of this AD. Information may be e-mailed to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Francis Smith,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety & Environmental Systems Branch,
ANM-150S, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1601
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6596;
fax: 425-917-6590; e-mail: [email protected].
(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; phone:
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax: 206-766-
[[Page 62669]]
5680; e-mail: [email protected]; Internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com.You may review copies of the referenced
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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 30, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-26105 Filed 10-7-11; 8:45 am]
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