[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 205 (Tuesday, October 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24451]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: October 25, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-37-AD; Amendment 39-9040; AD 94-20-11]
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 Series Airplanes
Equipped With Pratt & Whitney PW4000 Series Engines
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 replacement of the thrust reverser flow restrictor devices
with one-way (check) valve restrictors. This amendment is prompted by
reports of actuator piston seal leakage found during actuator overhaul
on certain Model 747-400 series airplanes. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent possible deployment of a thrust
reverser in flight and subsequent reduced controllability of the
airplane.
DATES: Effective November 25, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of November 25, 1994.
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: Jon Regimbal, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2687; fax (206) 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 April 22,
1994 (59 FR 19151). That action proposed to require replacement of the
thrust reverser flow restrictor devices with one-way (check) valve
restrictors.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
The Air Transport Association (ATA) of America, on behalf of one of
its members, requests that the proposed rule be revised to cite the
latest revision of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-78A2128. The FAA
concurs. Since the issuance of the proposed rule, the FAA has reviewed
and approved Revision 1, dated May 26, 1994, of the Boeing alert
service bulletin. Revision 1 corrects certain discrepancies contained
in the original issue of the alert service bulletin. The FAA has
revised paragraph (a) of the final rule to reflect the latest revision
to the alert service bulletin as an additional source of service
information.
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 change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
There are approximately 94 Model 747-400 series airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 32
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 24 work hours per airplane to accomplish the
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 per work hour.
Required parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to
operators. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $42,240, or $1,320 per airplane.
The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
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 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
94-20-11 Boeing: Amendment 39-9040. Docket 94-NM-37-AD.
Applicability: Model 747-400 series airplanes up to and
including line position 1022, equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW4000
series engines, certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent possible deployment of a thrust reverser in flight
and subsequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the thrust reverser flow restrictor devices with one-way
(check) valve restrictors in accordance with Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-78A2128, dated March 10, 1994; or Revision 1, dated May
26, 1994.
(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: 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
Secs. 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.
(d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-78A2128, dated March 10, 1994; or Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-78A2128, Revision 1, dated May 26, 1994.
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 November 25, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 28, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-24451 Filed 10-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
