[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 26 (Thursday, February 7, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8999-9001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02717]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0089; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-166-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 The Boeing Company Model 747-400 series airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by reports of auxiliary power unit (APU)
faults due to power feeder cable chafing. This proposed AD would
require detailed inspections for damage of the APU power feeder cables;
replacing the clamps and installing grommets; and related investigative
and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect
and correct chafing of the APU power feeder cables within a flammable
fluid leakage zone, which, with arcing, could result in fire and
structural damage.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 25, 2013.
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, WA 98124-2207;
[[Page 9000]]
telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; 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: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356;
phone: 425-917-6482; fax: 425-917-6590; email:
[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-2013-0089;
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-166-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 received reports of APU faults. Investigations showed that the
power feeder cables on APU generator number 2 had damage from chafing
at station 2638. The cables showed evidence of a hot short to the
adjacent structure, which had damage from arcs. An investigation showed
that the location and configuration of the existing clamps must be
changed, and protective grommets must be installed on the structure to
prevent possible chafing. Chafing and subsequent arcing occurred in a
flammable leakage zone. This condition, if not corrected, could result
in chafing of the APU power feeder cables within a flammable fluid
leakage zone, which, with arcing, could result in fire and structural
damage.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1,
dated May 2, 2012. For information on the procedures and compliance
times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for Docket No. FAA-2013-0089.
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 these same type
designs.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously.
The phrase ``related investigative actions'' might be used in this
proposed AD. ``Related investigative actions'' are follow-on actions
that: (1) Are related to the primary actions, and (2) are actions that
further investigate the nature of any condition found. Related
investigative actions in an AD could include, for example, inspections.
In addition, the phrase ``corrective actions'' might be used in
this proposed AD. ``Corrective actions'' are actions that correct or
address any condition found. Corrective actions in an AD could include,
for example, repairs.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 55 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Inspection, and clamp and grommet 6 work-hours x $85 $70 $580 per inspection $31,900 per
replacement. per hour = $510 cycle. inspection cycle.
per inspection
cycle.
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We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in 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 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
[[Page 9001]]
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
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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2013-0089; Directorate Identifier
2012-NM-166-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by March 25, 2013.
(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
Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 2012.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical Power.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of auxiliary power unit (APU)
faults due to power feeder cable chafing. We are issuing this AD to
detect and correct chafing of the APU power feeder cables within a
flammable fluid leakage zone, which, with arcing, could result in
fire and structural damage.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection, Related Investigative and Corrective Actions
Except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, within the
compliance time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2,
2012: Do a detailed inspection for damage (e.g., surface finish
integrity, excessive wear or possible heat damage) of the APU power
feeder cables within each wire bundle on the left and right of the
bulkhead, and do all applicable related investigative and corrective
actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2,
2012; except as required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD. If no
damage is found during this inspection, before further flight,
replace the clamp(s) and install grommets, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 2012. Do all applicable related
investigative and correction actions before further flight.
(h) Exceptions to the Service Information
(1) If any damage is found during any inspection required by
this AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1,
dated May 2, 2012, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate
action: Before further flight, repair the damage using a method
approved in accordance with paragraph (k) of this AD.
(2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1,
dated May 2, 2012, specifies a compliance time after the date on the
service bulletin, this AD requires compliance within the specified
compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
(i) Parts Installation Limitation
As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on
any airplane, any wiring support clamp, except for part number
TA025097L16, in any area of the airplane, as specified in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 2012.
(j) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
24A2360, dated January 18, 2012, which is not incorporated by
reference in this AD.
(k) 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 emailed 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.
(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 the
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization
(ODA) that 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.
(l) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Georgios
Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6482; fax: 425-917-
6590; email: [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, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; 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 January 19, 2013.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-02717 Filed 2-6-13; 8:45 am]
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