[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 54 (Monday, March 22, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13669-13671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6714]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-171-AD; Amendment 39-11082; AD 99-06-18]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F
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, -400D, and -400F series
airplanes, that requires modification of the P212 and P213 panels of
the cabin pressure control system. For certain airplanes, this
amendment also requires modification of the P5, P6, and P7 panels, and
the W4701, W4703, and W4908 wire bundles, as applicable. This amendment
is prompted by a report of in-flight loss of cabin pressurization
control due to a single failure of the auxiliary power unit (APU)
battery. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss
of control of the cabin pressurization system, which could result in
rapid depressurization of the airplane. Such rapid depressurization
could result in deleterious physiological effects on the passengers and
crew; and airplane diversions, which represent an increased risk to the
airplane, passengers, and crew.
DATES: Effective April 26, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 26, 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
[[Page 13670]]
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: Clayton R. Morris, Jr., Aerospace
Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington;
telephone (425) 227-2794; 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, -
400D, and -400F series airplanes was published as a supplemental notice
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on May 12, 1998
(63 FR 26100). That action proposed to require modification of the P212
and P213 panels of the cabin pressure control system. For certain
airplanes, that action also proposed to require modification of the P5,
P6, and P7 panels, and the W4701, W4703, and W4908 wire bundles, as
applicable.
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.
Support for the Proposal
One commenter supports the proposed rule. Another commenter offers
no comments to the proposed rule, because it does not own or operate
the subject airplanes.
Requests To Extend Compliance Time
One commenter requests that the FAA extend the proposed compliance
time for the modification from 180 days after the effective date of
this AD to 18 months after the effective date of this AD, to reduce the
impact on its operations and the cost associated with accomplishment of
the proposed actions. The commenter states that the proposed 180-day
compliance time would make it necessary to schedule approximately five
of its airplanes for special maintenance visits, which the commenter
estimates would cost $60,000 per airplane. The commenter states that an
18-month compliance time would allow the modifications proposed in the
supplemental NPRM to be accomplished during a regularly scheduled ``C''
check.
The FAA partially concurs with the commenter's request to extend
the compliance time. The FAA has determined that the compliance time
may be extended somewhat. The FAA finds that extending the compliance
time from 180 days after the effective date of this AD to 12 months
after the effective date of this AD will not adversely affect safety
and will allow the modifications to be performed, in the majority of
cases, during a regularly scheduled maintenance visit. Therefore,
paragraphs (a) and (b) of the final rule have been revised to specify a
compliance time of 12 months after the effective date of this AD.
However, with regard to the commenter's cost estimate, the FAA points
out that operators may take advantage of special maintenance visits to
accomplish other deferred maintenance tasks, which would reduce the
time necessary to accomplish those deferred tasks during regularly
scheduled checks. The commenter's estimate of additional costs
associated with special visits does not take this into account.
Another commenter also requests that the FAA extend the proposed
compliance time for accomplishment of the actions to 18 months after
the effective date of this AD. The commenter states that Boeing Service
Bulletin 747-21-2268 should be accomplished prior to the accomplishment
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2381, dated June 27, 1996
(which was referenced as an appropriate source of service information
in the supplemental NPRM). The commenter states that Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-21A2381 can be accomplished within the 180-day
compliance time proposed in the supplemental NPRM only if Boeing
Service Bulletin 747-21-2268 has already been accomplished. The
commenter requests that the compliance time be extended to provide for
accomplishment of both Boeing Service Bulletin 747-21-2268 and Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2381.
The FAA does not concur that Boeing Service Bulletin 747-21-2268
must be accomplished prior to accomplishment of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-21A2381. The FAA has determined that Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-21A2381 provides specific instructions on how to
accomplish the actions specified in the alert service bulletin both
with and without prior incorporation of the actions specified in Boeing
Service Bulletin 747-21-2268. In addition, the FAA does not require
accomplishment of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-21-2268. Therefore, the
FAA finds that it is not necessary to extend the compliance time to
allow for accomplishment of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-21-2268.
However, as stated previously, the compliance time for the actions
required by this final rule has been extended to 12 months after the
effective date of this AD to allow for accomplishment of the required
actions during regularly scheduled maintenance visits.
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 351 Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA
estimates that 43 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this
AD.
For all airplanes, it will take approximately 8 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required modification of the P212 and P213
panels, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts
will cost approximately $389 per airplane. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of this modification required by this AD on U.S. operators
is estimated to be $37,367, or $869 per airplane.
For certain airplanes, it will take approximately 47 work hours per
airplane to accomplish the required modification of the P5, P6, and P7
panels, and the W4701, W4703, and W4908 wire bundles, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately
$1,529 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this
modification required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$4,349 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.
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
[[Page 13671]]
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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
99-06-18 Boeing: Amendment 39-11082. Docket 96-NM-171-AD.
Applicability: Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes;
as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2381, dated
June 27, 1996; 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 (c) 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 loss of control of the cabin pressurization system,
which could result in rapid depressurization of the airplane and
consequent deleterious physiological effects on the passengers and
crew; and airplane diversions, which represent an increased risk to
the airplane, passengers, and crew, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify
the P212 and P213 panels of the cabin pressure control system as
specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable,
in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2381, dated
June 27, 1996.
(1) For Groups 1 through 7 airplanes, as identified in the alert
service bulletin: Change the wiring in the P212 and P213 panels;
replace the existing two-pole relays with new four-pole relays; and
perform a test of both panels.
(2) For Group 8 airplanes, as identified in the alert service
bulletin: Change the wiring in the P212 panel; replace the existing
two-pole relays with new four-pole relays; replace the existing P213
panel with a new P213 panel; and perform a test of both panels.
(b) For airplanes having line positions 696 through 1021
inclusive: Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2), as applicable, of this AD;
in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24-2193, dated
January 26, 1995; as revised by Notices of Status Change (NSC) 747-
24-2193 NSC 1, dated April 13, 1995, 747-24-2193 NSC 2, dated
October 5, 1995, 747-24-2193 NSC 3, dated November 22, 1995, 747-24-
2193 NSC 4, dated December 21, 1995, 747-24-2193 NSC 5, dated May 2,
1996, and 747-24-2193 NSC 6, dated March 13, 1997; or Alert Service
Bulletin 747-24A2193, Revision 1, dated June 19, 1997.
(1) For all airplanes: Modify the wiring of the P5, P6, and P7
panels; modify the wiring in the W4701 and W4908 wire bundles; and
install diodes in the P6 panel.
(2) For Groups 1 and 2 airplanes identified in paragraph I. of
the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin or alert
service bulletin: Modify the wiring in the W4703 wire bundle.
(c) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Seattle ACO.
(d) 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.
(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-21A2381, dated June 27, 1996; and Boeing
Service Bulletin 747-24-2193, dated January 26, 1995; as revised by
Notices of Status Change (NSC) 747-24-2193 NSC 1, dated April 13,
1995, 747-24-2193 NSC 2, dated October 5, 1995, 747-24-2193 NSC 3,
dated November 22, 1995, 747-24-2193 NSC 4, dated December 21, 1995,
747-24-2193 NSC 5, dated May 2, 1996, and 747-24-2193 NSC 6, dated
March 13, 1997; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2193,
Revision 1, dated June 19, 1997. 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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on April 26, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 12, 1999.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-6714 Filed 3-19-99; 8:45 am]
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