[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 31, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47372-47374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22388]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-222-AD; Amendment 39-11273; AD 99-18-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes, that
requires installation of strap assemblies on the ceiling panels and
rails that support the video monitors. This amendment is prompted by
reports of the video monitor ceiling panels falling into the cabin area
due to the failure of certain latch assemblies during turbulence. The
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent ceiling panels
from falling into the passenger area in the event of failure of certain
latch assemblies on the ceiling panels, which could result in
consequent injury to the crew and passengers.
DATES: Effective October 5, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 5, 1999.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jan Risheim, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-1675; fax (425) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 9,
1998 (63 FR 60222). That action proposed to require installation of
strap assemblies on the ceiling panels and rails that support the video
monitors.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
One commenter states that the proposed AD is not applicable to any
airplane in its fleet and offers no further comment.
Request To Revise Language of Unsafe Condition
One commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the language used to
describe the unsafe condition be revised to more accurately reflect the
intent of the service bulletin. In the body of the proposal, the
statement of the unsafe condition reads, ``To prevent failure of
[[Page 47373]]
certain latch assemblies on the ceiling panels, which could cause the
ceiling panels to fall into the cabin area, and consequent injury to
the crew and passengers, accomplish the following.'' The commenter
states that the strap assemblies installed in accordance with the
service bulletin ``* * * are not intended to, and will not, prevent
failure of the latch assemblies. The function of the strap assemblies
is to prevent the panels from falling in the event that the latches do
fail.''
The FAA concurs with the commenter's request. Therefore, the
statement of unsafe condition has been revised accordingly in both the
``Summary'' and ``Compliance'' sections of the final rule.
Request To Reduce Cost Estimate
One commenter, the manufacturer, requests that the estimated number
of work hours be reduced from the 476 work hours stated in the
proposal. The commenter points out that, in Boeing Service Bulletin
747-25A3142, Revision 1, dated August 6, 1998, the estimated number of
work hours necessary for the installation of strap assemblies on the
ceiling panels is reduced from 34 work hours per panel (as stated in
the original issue of the service bulletin, dated October 16, 1997) to
9 work hours per panel. Furthermore, the commenter states that the
number of work hours that would be necessary for the proposed actions
to be accomplished on an airplane ranges from a minimum of 18 work
hours (2 panels at 9 work hours each) to a maximum of 126 work hours
(14 panels at 9 work hours each). Similarly, the commenter states that
the estimated cost of parts ranges from $1,366 to $9,575, depending on
the number of ceiling panels that need to be modified.
The FAA concurs with the commenter's request to reduce the
estimated number of work hours. Though the commenter does not make a
specific request with regard to the range of minimum-to-maximum work
hours and parts costs, the FAA infers that the commenter wants the cost
impact section of the proposal to be revised to reflect the range of
costs rather than the maximum cost only. The FAA concurs with this
request, and the ``Cost Impact'' section of this final rule has been
revised accordingly.
Request To Increase Compliance Time
One commenter requests that the proposed compliance time for
accomplishment of the installation of strap assemblies be increased
from 24 to 36 months to minimize impact on its operations.
The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request. In developing
an appropriate compliance time for this action, the FAA considered the
safety implications and normal operator maintenance schedules. The 24-
month compliance time was chosen to ensure that affected airplanes
complete one required major maintenance period (``C'' check) during the
proposed compliance time. The FAA finds that the 24-month compliance
time represents an appropriate interval of time allowable wherein the
installation can be accomplished during scheduled maintenance intervals
for the majority of affected operators, and an acceptable level of
safety can be maintained. No change to the final rule is necessary in
this regard.
Request To Decrease Compliance Time
One commenter recommends that the proposed compliance time for
accomplishment of the installation of strap assemblies be reduced from
24 to 12 months. The commenter states that a compliance time of 12
months would better ensure the safety of the traveling public. The
commenter also suggests that a requirement to block seats in the ``drop
zone'' would be another option to ensure passenger safety.
The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request. As explained
above, in establishing a compliance time for the proposed requirement,
the FAA considered the safety implications and normal maintenance
schedules for affected operators. The FAA finds that 24 months
represents an appropriate interval of time allowable for the operators
to continue to operate the affected airplanes, while not affecting the
safety of the flight crew or passengers. The FAA also finds that
reducing the compliance time from 24 to 12 months or requiring blockage
of seats would add an additional burden on operators and require
issuance of a supplemental NPRM and reopening of the public comment
period. The FAA finds that, considering the safety implications
associated with the identified unsafe condition, it would be
inappropriate to delay the issuance of the rule in this way. No change
to the final rule is necessary in this regard.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 280 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 40 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD.
It will take approximately 9 work hours per ceiling panel, and
between 18 and 126 work hours per airplane, to accomplish the required
installation, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required
parts will cost between $1,366 and $9,575 per airplane. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of the installation required by this AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be between $2,446 and $17,135 per
airplane.
The 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.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); and (3) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the
[[Page 47374]]
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), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
99-18-07 Boeing: Amendment 39-11273. Docket 98-NM-222-AD.
Applicability: Model 747-400 series airplanes, as listed in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3142, Revision 1, dated August
6, 1998, 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent ceiling panels from falling into the passenger area
in the event of failure of certain latch assemblies on the ceiling
panels, which could result in consequent injury to the crew and
passengers, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD,
install strap assemblies on the ceiling panels and rails that
support the video monitors, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-25A3142, dated October 16, 1997, or Revision 1, dated
August 6, 1998.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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, 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(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.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) The installation shall be done in accordance with Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3142, dated October 16, 1997, or
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25A3142, Revision 1, dated August 6,
1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane
Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 5, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 23, 1999.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-22388 Filed 8-30-99; 8:45 am]
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