[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 148 (Thursday, August 1, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46540-46543]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18564]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0667; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-062-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 airplanes. This proposed AD
was prompted by reports of fasteners missing on an airplane undergoing
a passenger-to-freighter conversion. This proposed AD would require
doing a general visual inspection of the station 1920 splice clip for
correct fastener installation, and related investigative and corrective
actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct
missing or incorrect fasteners, which can lead to cracking and loss of
load carrying capacity, resulting in a possible decompression event.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 16,
2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
[[Page 46541]]
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; 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, WA. 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: Bill Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6432; 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-2013-0667;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-062-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 a report of an airplane, while undergoing a
passenger-to-freighter conversion, missing fasteners on the station
1920 splice clip. The possibility of this discrepancy exists on
airplanes already delivered. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in cracking and loss of load carrying capacity, resulting in a
possible decompression event.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2844, Revision 1,
dated July 30, 2012. For information on the procedures and compliance
times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for Docket No. FAA-2013-0667.
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.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously, except as discussed
under ``Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service
Information.''
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) 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.
Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information
Although the service bulletin specifies that operators may contact
the manufacturer for disposition of certain repair conditions, this
proposed AD would require operators to repair those conditions in
accordance with a method approved by the FAA.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 3 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per U.S.
product operators
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Inspection for correct fastener 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $0 $170 $510
installation. $170.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs that
would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. We
have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these
repairs:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Inspections for cracking...................... 3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255.... $0 $255
Fastener installation......................... 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170.... 0 170
Repair........................................ 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170.... 0 170
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[[Page 46542]]
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
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-2013-0667; Directorate Identifier
2013-NM-062-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by September 16, 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 747-53A2844, Revision 1, dated July 30, 2012.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of fasteners missing on an
airplane undergoing a passenger-to-freighter conversion. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct missing or incorrect
fasteners, which can lead to cracking and loss of load carrying
capacity, resulting in a possible decompression event.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection
Except as required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, at the times
specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-53A2844, Revision 1, dated July 30, 2012: Do a general
visual inspection for correct installation of the station 1920
splice clip common to the auxiliary sill web and the tie clip, and
do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-53A2844, Revision 1, dated July 30, 2012,
except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD. Do all applicable
related investigative and corrective actions before further flight.
(h) Exceptions to the Service Information
(1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2844, Revision 1,
dated July 30, 2012, specifies a compliance time ``after the
original issue date of the service bulletin,'' this AD requires
compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective
date of this AD.
(2) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by
this AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2844, Revision 1,
dated July 30, 2012, specifies contacting Boeing for appropriate
action: Before further flight, repair using a method approved in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this
AD.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for 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 747-53A2844,
dated September 15, 2011, except the detailed inspection for
cracking of the auxiliary sill outer chord tee and attached parts
and all applicable related investigative and corrective actions must
be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2844, Revision 1, dated July 30, 2012, at the times specified in
paragraph (g) of this AD. Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2844,
dated September 15, 2011, is not incorporated by reference in this
AD.
(j) 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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Bill Ashforth,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356;
phone: 425-917-6432; 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
[[Page 46543]]
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 21, 2013.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-18564 Filed 7-31-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P