[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10537-10540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04292]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2016-3986; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-147-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, 747-400D, and 747-400F series
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that a
certain fastener type in the fuel tank walls has insufficient bond to
the structure, and an electrical wiring short could cause arcing to
occur at the ends of fasteners in the fuel tanks. This proposed AD
would require the installation of new clamps and
polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) sleeves on the wire bundles of the front
spars and rear spars of the wings. This proposed AD would also require
inspecting the existing TFE sleeves under the wire bundle clamps for
correct installation, and replacement if necessary. We are proposing
this AD to prevent potential ignition sources in the fuel tank in the
event of a lightning strike or high-powered short circuit, and
consequent fire or explosion.
[[Page 10538]]
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 15, 2016.
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 NPRM, 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-2016-3986.
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-2016-
3986; 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: Tung Tran, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6505; 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-2016-3986;
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-147-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
The manufacturer has determined that a certain fastener type in the
fuel tank walls has insufficient bond to the structure, and an
electrical wiring short could cause arcing to occur at the ends of
fasteners in the fuel tanks. Potential ignition sources in the fuel
tank in the event of a lightning strike or high-powered short circuit,
if not corrected, could result in a fire or explosion.
Related Rulemaking
On September 17, 2007, we issued AD 2007-20-01, Amendment 39-15211
(72 FR 54533, September 26, 2007), applicable to certain The Boeing
Company Model 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-
400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 747SP series airplanes. That AD requires
reconfiguring the clamps of certain wire bundles and applying
insulating sealant to certain fasteners inside the fuel tanks using
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 1,
dated July 10, 2006, on airplane line numbers 696 through 1363.
Airplane line numbers 1364 through 1419 were changed during production.
The actions required by AD 2007-20-01 are intended to prevent arcing
inside the fuel tanks in the event of a lightning strike or high-
powered short circuit, which could result in a fuel tank explosion or
fire.
Since we issued AD 2007-20-01, Amendment 39-15211 (72 FR 54533,
September 26, 2007), the FAA has determined that for certain The Boeing
Company Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes, a
certain fastener type in the fuel tank walls has insufficient bond to
the structure and that an electrical wiring short could cause arcing to
occur at the ends of fasteners in the fuel tanks. We determined that
certain clamp locations need to be changed to prevent possible ignition
sources in the fuel tanks. These clamps were not installed at these
locations during production and were not identified in Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 1, dated July 10,
2006. Therefore, it is necessary to install new clamps and TFE sleeves
at these additional locations on the wire bundles of the front spars
and rear spars of the left and right wings.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-28-2324,
Revision 1, dated July 27, 2015. The service information describes
procedures for installing new clamps and TFE sleeves on the wire
bundles of the front spars and rear spars of the wings. The service
information also describes procedures for inspecting TFE sleeves under
the wire bundle clamps that were installed using the procedures
specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-28-2324,
dated November 4, 2014, for correct installation, and replacing them if
necessary. This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 135 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
[[Page 10539]]
Estimated costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Installation of wire bundle Up to 7 work- $138 Up to $733............ Up to $98,955.
clamps. hours x $85 per
hour = $595.
Inspection.................... Up to 5 work- $0 Up to $425............ Up to $57,375.
hours x $85 per
hour = $425.
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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 proposed
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 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-2016-3986; Directorate Identifier
2015-NM-147-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by April 15, 2016.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400D,
and 747-400F series airplanes, certificated in any category, as
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-28-2324,
Revision 1, dated July 27, 2015.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that a certain fastener
type in the fuel tank walls has insufficient bond to the structure,
and an electrical wiring short could cause arcing to occur at the
ends of fasteners in the fuel tanks. We are issuing this AD to
prevent potential ignition sources in the fuel tank in the event of
a lightning strike or high-powered short circuit, and consequent
fire or explosion.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Installation/Inspection
Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, do the
actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, as
applicable.
(1) For airplanes on which the modification specified in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-28-2324, dated November 3,
2014, has not been done as of the effective date of this AD: Install
new clamps and polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) sleeves on the wire
bundles of the front spars and rear spars of the wings, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 747-28-2324, Revision 1, dated July 27,
2015.
(2) For airplanes on which the modification specified in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-28-2324, dated November 3,
2014, has been done as of the effective date of this AD: Do a
detailed inspection of the TFE sleeves under the wire bundle clamps
for correct installation, and replace the sleeves if not correctly
installed, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-28-2324, Revision 1,
dated July 27, 2015.
(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)(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.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair, alteration, or modification 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 method, modification deviation, or
alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the
airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Tung Tran,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6505; fax: 425-917-6590; email:
[email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services
[[Page 10540]]
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, Washington. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 19, 2016.
Dorr M. Anderson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04292 Filed 2-29-16; 8:45 am]
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