[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57751-57753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22468]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0343; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-077-AD;
Amendment 39-17971; AD 2014-19-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company 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
The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. This AD was
prompted by an analysis by the manufacturer, which revealed that
certain fuse pins for the strut-to-wing attachment of the outboard aft
upper spar are susceptible to migration in the event of a failed fuse
pin through bolt. This AD requires replacing the fuse pins for the
strut-to-wing attachment of the outboard aft upper spar with new fuse
pins, and replacing the access cover assemblies with new access cover
assemblies. We are issuing this AD to prevent migration of these fuse
pins, which could result in the complete disconnect and loss of the
strut-to-wing attachment load path for the outboard aft upper spar. The
complete loss of an outboard aft upper spar strut-to-wing attachment
load path could result in divergent flutter in certain parts of the
flight envelope, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective October 31, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 31,
2014.
ADDRESSES: 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 view this referenced service information
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA 98057-3356. 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0343; 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 (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket 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: Narinder Luthra, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6513;
fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
[[Page 57752]]
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company
Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on June 25, 2014 (79 FR 35966). The NPRM was prompted
by an analysis by the manufacturer, which revealed that certain fuse
pins for the strut-to-wing attachment of the outboard aft upper spar
are susceptible to migration in the event of a failed fuse pin through
bolt. The NPRM proposed to require replacing the fuse pins for the
strut-to-wing attachment of the outboard aft upper spar with new fuse
pins, and replacing the access cover assemblies with new access cover
assemblies. We are issuing this AD to prevent migration of these fuse
pins, which could result in the complete disconnect and loss of the
strut-to-wing attachment load path for the outboard aft upper spar. The
complete loss of an outboard aft upper spar strut-to-wing attachment
load path could result in divergent flutter in certain parts of the
flight envelope, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We have considered the comment received. Boeing supported the
NPRM (79 FR 35966, June 25, 2014).
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have
determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (79 FR 35966, June 25, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 35966, June 25, 2014).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 5 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement.............................. 97 work-hours x $85 per $31,076 $39,321 $196,605
hour = $8,245.
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According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this 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
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),
(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.
Adoption of the Amendment
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 airworthiness
directive (AD):
2014-19-03 Boeing: Amendment 39-17971; Docket No. FAA-2014-0343;
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-077-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective October 31, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F
series airplanes; certificated in any category; having a variable
number identified in paragraph 1.A., ``Effectivity,'' of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2238, dated January 31, 2014; and
variable number RC573.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 54, Nacelles/
Pylons.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by an analysis by the manufacturer, which
revealed that the fuse pins for the strut-to-wing attachment of the
outboard aft upper spar are susceptible to migration in the event of
a failed fuse pin through bolt. We are issuing this AD to prevent
migration of these fuse pins, which could result in the complete
disconnect and loss of the strut-to-wing attachment load path for
the outboard aft upper spar. The complete loss of the an outboard
aft upper spar strut-to-wing attachment load path could result in
divergent flutter in certain parts of the flight
[[Page 57753]]
envelope, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Replacement of Fuse Pins and Access Cover Assemblies
Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace
the fuse pins for the outboard aft upper spar and the access cover
assemblies on struts Nos. 1 and 4, with new fuse pins and access
cover assemblies, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2238, dated January 31,
2014.
(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 paragraph (i) 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.
(4) If the service information contains steps that are labeled
as RC (Required for Compliance), those steps must be done to comply
with this AD; any steps that are not labeled as RC are recommended.
Those steps that are not labeled as RC may be deviated from, done as
part of other actions, or done using accepted methods different from
those identified in the specified service information without
obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the steps labeled as RC can
be done and the airplane can be put back in a serviceable condition.
Any substitutions or changes to steps labeled as RC require approval
of an AMOC.
(i) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Narinder Luthra,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6513; fax: 425-917-6590; email:
[email protected].
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2238, dated January 31,
2014.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) 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.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call 425-227-1221.
(5) You may view this 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 12, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-22468 Filed 9-25-14; 8:45 am]
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