[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 59 (Friday, March 27, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14850-14851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8094]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-272-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, -200, -300, -SP,
and -SR Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of comment
period.
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SUMMARY: This document announces a reopening of the comment period for
the above-referenced NPRM, applicable to
[[Page 14851]]
all Boeing Model 747-100, -200, -300, -SP, and -SR series airplanes.
That NPRM invites comments concerning the proposed requirement for
installation of components for the suppression of electrical transients
and/or the installation of shielding and separation of the electrical
wiring of the fuel quantity indication system (FQIS). This reopening of
the comment period is necessary to afford all interested persons an
opportunity to present their views on the proposed requirements of that
NPRM.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 26, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-272-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.
Information concerning this NPRM may be obtained from or examined
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Hartonas, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2864; 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 all Boeing Model 747-100, -200,
and -300 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
December 1, 1997 (62 FR 63624). That action proposed to require
installation of components for the suppression of electrical transients
and/or the installation of shielding and separation of the electrical
wiring of the fuel quantity indication system (FQIS). That action
invites comments on regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of the proposal.
That action was prompted by testing results, which revealed that
excessive energy levels in the electrical wiring and probes of the fuel
system could be induced by electrical transients. The actions specified
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent electrical transients
induced by electromagnetic interference (EMI) or electrical short
circuit conditions from causing arcing of the FQIS electrical wiring or
probes in the fuel tank, which could result in a source of ignition in
the fuel tank.
Since the issuance of that proposal, several commenters have raised
issues regarding the ability to implement corrective action in a timely
manner, particularly because the manufacturer has yet to issue a
service bulletin. Based on these and other comments, the FAA has
determined that further discussion and input may be beneficial prior to
the adoption of a final rule. As a result, the FAA has decided to
reopen the comment period for 60 days to receive additional comments.
In addition, the applicability of the proposed rule addresses ``All
Model 747-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes.'' However, the FAA's
intent was that the proposal also apply to Model 747-SP and -SR series
airplanes. Those airplanes are generally considered to be either Model
747-100 or -200 series airplanes. Therefore, the applicability of the
proposed rule is clarified as follows:
``All Model 747-100, -200, -300, -SP, and -SR series airplanes;
certificated in any category.''
The comment period for Rules Docket No. 97-NM-272-AD closes May 26,
1998.
Because only the applicability statement and no other portion of
the proposal or other regulatory information has been changed, the
entire proposal is not being republished.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 23, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8094 Filed 3-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
