[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 173 (Thursday, September 7, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46542-46544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22211]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-53-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-
400 series airplanes,
[[Page 46543]]
that currently requires replacement of electrical wiring to the fuel
shutoff valve for each engine. This action would require replacement of
the fuel shutoff valve wire and sleeve with a wire in two non-metallic
sleeves in the conduit in the struts of each engine. This proposal is
prompted by reports of additional occurrences of chafing and shorting
of the wiring of the engine fuel shutoff valves. The actions specified
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent such chafing and shorting,
which could result in the pilot's inability to shut off the supply of
fuel in the event of an engine fire.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 1, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-53-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen Oshiro, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056;
telephone (206) 227-2793; fax (206) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 95-NM-53-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 95-NM-53-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On June 12, 1989, the FAA issued AD 89-14-04, amendment 39-6246 (54
FR 27157, June 28, 1989), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400
series airplanes, to require replacement of electrical wiring to the
fuel shutoff valve for each engine. That action was prompted by reports
of the fuel shutoff valve wiring shorting to the surrounding electrical
conduit, which resulted in circuit breaker tripping and inability to
operate the associated fuel shutoff valve. The requirements of that AD
are intended to preserve the pilot's ability to shut off the supply of
fuel in the event of an engine fire.
Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has received reports of
additional occurrences of chafing and shorting of the wiring of the
engine fuel shutoff valves on Model 747-400 series airplanes.
Subsequently, Boeing developed a new installation consisting of a wire
in two sleeves (non-metallic, open weave braided sleeve inside
industrial wall thickness teflon) that will improve the protection of
the fuel shutoff valve wire.
The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-28A2186, dated January 19, 1995, which describes procedures for
replacement of the fuel shutoff valve wire and sleeve with a wire in
two non-metallic sleeves in the conduit in the struts of each engine.
The FAA has determined that accomplishment of this replacement of
the fuel shutoff valve wire and sleeve with a wire with two non-
metallic sleeves in the conduit in the struts of each engine will
positively address the unsafe condition identified as inability to shut
off the supply of fuel to an engine.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would supersede AD 89-14-04 to require replacement of the
wire and sleeve with a single wire in two non-metallic sleeves in the
conduit in the struts of each engine. The actions would be required to
be accomplished in accordance with the alert service bulletin described
previously.
The modification that was previously required by AD 89-14-04 will
effectively be removed when the modification required by this proposed
AD is installed. Additionally, those airplanes on which the previously-
required modification had not been accomplished will require no
additional work with the installation of the new proposed modification.
As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general,
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has
been included in this notice to clarify this long-standing requirement.
There are approximately 311 Model 747-400 series airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 38
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that
it would take approximately 80 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work
hour. Required parts would cost approximately $673 per airplane. Based
on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $207,974, or $5,473 per airplane.
The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
[[Page 46544]]
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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);
and (3) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-6246 (54 FR
27157, June 28, 1989), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), to read as follows:
Boeing: Docket 95-NM-53-AD. Supersedes AD 89-14-04, Amendment 39-
6246.
Applicability: Model 747-400 series airplanes; line positions
696 through 1046 inclusive, except airplane variable numbers RT502
and RU032 (airplane serial numbers 24062 and 25780, respectively);
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent the inability to shut off the supply of fuel in the
event of an engine fire, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the fuel shutoff valve wire and sleeve with a wire in two
non-metallic sleeves in the conduit in the struts of each engine, in
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-28A2186, dated
January 19, 1995.
Note 2: Replacements accomplished prior to the effective date of
this amendment in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
54A2157, dated January 12, 1995, or Revision 1, dated August 3,
1995; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-54A2156, dated December
15, 1994, or Revision 1, dated July 20, 1995; are considered
acceptable for compliance with the replacements specified in this
amendment.
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Seattle ACO.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 31, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-22211 Filed 9-6-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U