[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 15, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18341-18342]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9877]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 72 / Wednesday, April 15, 1998 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-254-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747 series
airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time detailed visual
inspection of the outboard sequence carriage attachment fitting for the
presence and condition of a shim, and follow-on corrective actions, if
necessary. This proposal is prompted by a report that a piece of the
left wing inboard foreflap came off during a landing approach. The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent the
failure of the outboard sequence carriage fitting, which could allow
the wing inboard foreflap to separate and penetrate the fuselage,
possibly injuring passengers and crewmembers.
DATES: Comments must be received by June 1, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-254-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.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tamara L. Dow, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2771; fax (425) 227-1181.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 97-NM-254-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 97-NM-254-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report indicating that a piece of the left
wing inboard foreflap came off a Boeing Model 747-200 series airplane
during a landing approach and hit the airplane at body stations 1800
through 1840. The damages that occurred were skin punctures, stringer
fractures, frame fractures, and the movement of one passenger window.
This airplane had an overhauled foreflap that did not have a shim
installed between the outboard sequence carriage attachment fitting and
the left wing inboard foreflap. The outboard sequence carriage
attachment fitting is designed to absorb all side-to-side loads on the
inboard foreflap. There is a shim installed on the horizontal flange of
the fitting, and there are four bolts that attach this horizontal
flange to the foreflap. The shim is installed, to prevent a gap of more
the 0.003 inch between the fitting and the foreflap. If a shim is not
installed or if the incorrect grip lengths of fasteners are used, the
outboard sequence carriage attachment fitting can move due to incorrect
clamp-up. This condition, if not corrected, could result in the failure
of the outboard sequence carriage fitting, which could allow the wing
inboard foreflap to separate and penetrate the fuselage, possibly
injuring passengers and crewmembers.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-57A2302, dated April 10, 1997, which describes procedures for a
one-time detailed visual inspection of the outboard sequence carriage
attachment fitting for the presence and condition of a shim, and
follow-on corrective actions, if necessary. The follow-on actions
include; replacing any shim that has migrated or is missing with a new
or serviceable part; performing a high frequency eddy current
inspection for cracking on the fastener holes in the fitting, the
foreflap lower spar chord, and on the fitting flange; and replacing
cracked or damaged fittings with new or serviceable parts.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the alert service bulletin
is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would
[[Page 18342]]
require accomplishment of the actions specified in the alert service
bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 1,147 airplanes of the affected design in
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 311 airplanes of U.S.
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed
inspection, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based
on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators
is estimated to be $18,660, or $60 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 proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
Boeing: Docket 97-NM-254-AD.
Applicability: Model 747-100, 747-200B, 747-200F, 747-200C,
747SR, 47-100B, 747-300, 747-100B SUD, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-
400F series airplanes, having line numbers 1 through 1122 inclusive;
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 failure of the outboard sequence carriage
fitting, which could allow the wing inboard foreflap to separate and
penetrate the fuselage, possibly injuring passengers and
crewmembers, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 1,500 landings or 18 months after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs first, perform a one-time detailed
visual inspection of the outboard sequence carriage attachment
fitting for the presence and condition of a shim, and follow-on
corrective actions, if necessary, in accordance with Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-57A2302, dated April 10, 1997.
(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 2: 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 8, 1998.
John J. Hickey,
Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9877 Filed 4-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
