[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8516-8519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02689]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0522; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-087-AD;
Amendment 39-18100; AD 2015-03-04]
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 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B,
747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and
747SP series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fuselage
skin cracks at the lower forward corner of the main entry door (MED) 1
cutout. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the fuselage skin of
the MED 1 cutout for cracking, and repair if necessary; and also
provides an optional terminating modification, including post-repair or
post-modification fuselage skin inspections for cracking, and
corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and
correct skin cracking, which can become large and could adversely
affect the structural integrity of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective March 25, 2015.
[[Page 8517]]
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 25,
2015.
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. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0522.
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-
0522; 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: Nathan Weigand, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6428;
fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F,
747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 5, 2014
(79 FR 45385). The NPRM was prompted by reports of fuselage skin cracks
at the lower forward corner of the MED 1 cutout. The NPRM proposed to
require repetitive inspections of the fuselage skin of the MED 1 cutout
for cracking, and repair if necessary. The NPRM also provided optional
terminating modification, including post-repair or post-modification
inspections for cracking of the fuselage skin, and corrective actions
if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct skin
cracking, which can become large and could adversely affect the
structural integrity of the airplane.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the NPRM (79
FR 45385, August 5, 2014) and the FAA's response to each comment.
Support for the NPRM (79 FR 45385, August 5, 2014)
UPS stated that it agrees with the intent of the NPRM (79 FR 45385,
August 5, 2014).
Request To Withdraw the NPRM (79 FR 45385, August 5, 2014)
Mr. Jerry Adams requested that we withdraw the NPRM (79 FR 45385,
August 5, 2014). Mr. Adams stated that the manufacturer's analysis and
subsequent action referred to in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2863, dated March 11, 2014, should be sufficient. Mr. Adams stated
that the cost of compliance does not include the increased cost of
airframes that the customer must pay for, and that will subsequently be
passed along to the traveling consumer. Mr. Adams asserted that this AD
action would be counterproductive to business and the cost of
transportation to the general public.
We agree with the comment that the actions described in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2863, dated March 11, 2014, are
sufficient to correct the identified unsafe condition. However, we do
not agree with the commenter's request to withdraw the NPRM (79 FR
45385, August 5, 2014). We have identified an unsafe condition that is
likely to exist or develop in other products. Therefore, we must issue
an airworthiness directive to correct the identified unsafe condition,
as required by section 39.5 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
39.5). We accomplish this by mandating specified actions described in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2863, dated March 11, 2014, by AD
action. We have not changed this AD in this regard.
We also note that although the commenter stated that the cost of
airframes was not included in the NPRM (79 FR 45385, August 5, 2014),
this AD does not require replacing airframes. The costs of
accomplishing the actions required by this AD, as specified in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2863, dated March 11, 2014 (inspection,
repair if necessary, and optional modification), are included in the
Costs of Compliance section of this AD.
Request To Revise the Description of the Location Where Cracking Was
Identified
Boeing requested that we revise the SUMMARY and Discussion sections
of the preamble, and paragraphs (e), (g), and (i) in the proposed AD
(79 FR 45385, August 5, 2014) to clarify that the cracking occurs in
the fuselage skin, which would match the title of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-53A2863, dated March 11, 2014.
We agree with the commenter's request because this change will help
clarify the cracking location. We have revised this AD accordingly.
Request To Revise Service Information and Cost Estimate
UPS requested that we revise the service information used in this
AD. UPS stated that the power panels and other equipment outboard of
the main equipment center (MEC) must be removed in order to access the
repair or modification area specified in the NPRM (79 FR 45385, August
5, 2014). UPS stated that these removals are currently not included in
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2863, dated March 11, 2014, and will require significantly greater
manpower than specified in the NPRM.
We disagree with the commenter's request. We have determined it is
not appropriate to delay this AD to incorporate revised service
information that might be published sometime in the future. Note 10, in
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2863, dated March 11, 2014, states:
If it is necessary to remove more parts for access, you can
remove those parts. If you can get access without removing
identified parts, it is not necessary to remove all of the
identified parts. Jacking and shoring limitations must be observed.
Therefore, operators are already permitted to alter the way they
gain access to the required areas for inspections/repairs/modifications
specified in this AD. We have received no definitive data that would
enable us to provide cost estimates for the MEC removal. We have not
changed this AD in this regard.
[[Page 8518]]
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (79 FR 45385, August 5, 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 45385, August 5, 2014).
We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2863, dated March
11, 2014. The service information describes procedures for inspection,
repair, and modification at the lower forward corner of the fuselage
main entry door 1. This service information is reasonably available;
see ADDRESSES for ways to access this service information.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 165 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this 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 (per door)............ 11 work-hours x $85 $0 $935 per inspection $154,275 per
per hour = $935 per cycle. inspection cycle.
inspection cycle.
Optional modification (per door). Up to 66 0 Up to $5,610........ Up to $925,650.
work[dash]hours x
$85 per hour =
$5,610.
Post-repair or -modification 11 work-hours x $85 0 $935 per inspection $154,275 per
inspection (per door). per hour = $935 per cycle. inspection cycle.
inspection cycle.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repair that
would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no
way of determining the number of airplanes that might need this repair:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Repair (per door)............... 66 work-hours x $85 $7,380 or $9,360... $12,990 or $14,970.
per hour = $5,610.
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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):
2015-03-04 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18100 ; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0522; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-087-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective March 25, 2015.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B,
747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-
400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, certificated in
any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2863, dated March 11, 2014.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
[[Page 8519]]
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of fuselage skin cracks at the
lower forward corner of the main entry door (MED) 1 cutout. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct skin cracking, which can
become large and could adversely affect the structural integrity of
the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Repetitive Inspections and Corrective Actions
Except as specified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD, at the
applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2863, dated March 11, 2014: Do
a detailed inspection and a surface high frequency eddy current
inspection for cracking of the fuselage skin at the applicable MED 1
cutout, and do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-53A2863, dated March 11, 2014. Do all applicable corrective
actions before further flight. Repeat the inspections of the
applicable MED 1 cutout thereafter at the applicable intervals
specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-53A2863, dated March 11, 2014. Accomplishing the
corrective actions required by this paragraph terminates the
repetitive inspection requirements of this paragraph.
(h) Optional Terminating Action
For airplanes on which no crack is found during the initial
inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Installing the
preventive modification in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2863, dated
March 11, 2014, terminates the repetitive inspections required by
paragraph (g) of this AD.
(i) Post-Repair or Post-Modification Repetitive Inspections and
Corrective Actions
For airplanes on which the corrective actions required by
paragraph (g) of this AD have been done, or airplanes that have
installed the preventive modification specified in paragraph (h) of
this AD: At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2863, dated
March 11, 2014, do a detailed inspection for cracking of the
fuselage skin at the applicable MED 1 cutout, and do all applicable
corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2863, dated
March 11, 2014, except as specified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD.
Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight. Repeat
the inspection of the fuselage skin at the applicable MED 1 cutout
thereafter at the intervals specified in paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2863, dated
March 11, 2014.
(j) Exceptions to Service Information
(1) Where paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-53A2863, dated March 11, 2014, specifies a
compliance time ``after the Original issue date of this 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 747-53A2863, dated March
11, 2014, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before
further flight, repair the cracking using a method approved in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of 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 paragraph (l)(1) 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.
(l) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Nathan Weigand,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6428; fax: 425-917-6590; email:
[email protected].
(m) 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 747-53A2863, dated March 11,
2014.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Boeing 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 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.
(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 February 2, 2015.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-02689 Filed 2-17-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P