96-2869. Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 21, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 6500-6501]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-2869]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 95-NM-53-AD; Amendment 39-9511; AD 96-03-14]
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 Series Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
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    SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
    (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes, that 
    currently requires replacement of electrical wiring to the fuel shutoff 
    valve for each engine. This amendment requires 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 amendment is prompted 
    by reports of additional occurrences of chafing and shorting of the 
    wiring of the engine fuel shutoff valves. The actions specified by this 
    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: Effective March 22, 1996.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of March 22, 1996.
    
    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: 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 89-14-04, 
    amendment 39-6246 (54 FR 27157, June 28, 1989), which is applicable to 
    certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes, was published in the 
    Federal Register on September 7, 1995 (60 FR 46542). The action 
    proposed to 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.
        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 supports the proposed rule.
        Several commenters request that the compliance time for 
    accomplishment of the replacement be extended from the proposed 12 
    months. Two of these commenters request an extension that will allow 
    the replacement to be accomplished during a regularly scheduled ``C'' 
    check (15 to 18 months), when the airplanes will be brought to a main 
    base for an extended hold. These two commenters state that, in order to 
    accomplish the replacement with the proposed compliance time, they 
    would have to special schedule their fleet of airplanes, which would 
    entail considerable additional expense. Another commenter states that 
    it is currently accomplishing the modification required by AD 95-13-05, 
    amendment 39-9285 (60 FR 33333, June 28, 1995), which includes a wiring 
    modification that is equivalent to that proposed in the notice. This 
    commenter further states that it will complete that modification in 
    approximately four years; therefore, compliance with the proposed 
    wiring replacement should be extended accordingly.
        The FAA does not concur. In developing an appropriate time for this 
    action, the FAA considered not only the degree of urgency associated 
    with addressing the subject unsafe condition, but the availability of 
    required parts and the practical aspects of accomplishing the required 
    replacement during affected operators' scheduled maintenance visits. In 
    addition, the FAA has received reports that the wire chafing condition 
    led to short circuits on airplanes that had accumulated 12,000 to 
    18,310 total flight hours after the incorporation of the modification 
    required by AD 89-14-04. In light of this, the FAA has determined that 
    the accumulated flight hours of some of the affected airplanes may be 
    close to this range at the end of the 12 month compliance time. The FAA 
    has also determined that a compliance time of 4 years for incorporation 
    of the modification, as required by AD 95-13-05, is unacceptable. Such 
    a compliance time would not address the subject unsafe condition in a 
    timely manner. However, under the provisions of paragraph (b) of the 
    final rule, the FAA may approve request for adjustments to the 
    compliance time if data are presented to justify such an adjustment.
        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 as proposed.
        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 will be affected by this AD, that it will 
    take approximately 80 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
    required action, at that the average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
    Required parts will cost approximately $673 per airplane. Based on 
    these figures, the cost impact on U.S. operators of the new 
    requirements of this AD is estimated to be $207,974, or $5,473 per 
    airplane.
        The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 
    
    [[Page 6501]]
    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. 106(g), 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), amendment 39-9511, to read as follows:
    
    96-03-14 Boeing: Amendment 39-9511. 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 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 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.
        (d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
    Alert Service Bulletin 747-28A2186, dated January 19, 1995. 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 March 22, 1996.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 5, 1996.
    Darrell M. Pederson,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 96-2869 Filed 2-20-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
3/22/1996
Published:
02/21/1996
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
96-2869
Dates:
Effective March 22, 1996.
Pages:
6500-6501 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 95-NM-53-AD, Amendment 39-9511, AD 96-03-14
PDF File:
96-2869.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13