96-12599. Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200, -300, and -400 Series Airplanes Equipped With General Electric Model CF6-80C2 PMC and CF6-80C2 FADEC Engines, and Pratt & Whitney Model PW4000 Engines  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 25558-25560]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-12599]
    
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 95-NM-162-AD; Amendment 39-9628; AD 96-11-03]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200, -300, and -400 
    Series Airplanes Equipped With General Electric Model CF6-80C2 PMC and 
    CF6-80C2 FADEC Engines, and Pratt & Whitney Model PW4000 Engines
    
    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 747-200, -300, and -400 series 
    airplanes, that currently requires inspection of each fuel feed line of 
    the outboard engine in the engine strut to determine if interference 
    with an adjacent pneumatic duct clamp has caused damage, and repair or 
    replacement of the fuel feed tube, if necessary. That AD also currently 
    requires inspection and replacement of the adjacent pneumatic duct 
    clamp with a non-rotating type clamp, if necessary. This amendment 
    requires modification of the upper gap area of the strut of the number 
    1 and 4 engines. This amendment is prompted by a report of fuel leakage 
    in the strut of the number 4 engine due to a high profile clamp that 
    chafed the fuel line. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
    prevent chafing of the fuel line in the strut of the number 1 and 4
    
    [[Page 25559]]
    
    engines, which could result in rupture of the fuel line and subsequent 
    in-flight engine fire.
    
    DATES: Effective June 26, 1996.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of June 26, 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: Kenneth W. Frey, Aerospace Engineer, 
    Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
    Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 
    telephone (206) 227-2673; fax (206) 227-1181.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 91-05-19, 
    amendment 39-6918 (56 FR 8705, March 1, 1991), which is applicable to 
    certain Boeing Model 747-200, -300, and -400 series airplanes, was 
    published in the Federal Register on January 29, 1996 (61 FR 2730). The 
    action proposed to supersede AD 91-05-19 to require modification of the 
    upper gap area of the strut of the number 1 and 4 engines.
        Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
    in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
    the two comments received.
        Both commenters support the proposed rule.
    
    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 as proposed.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        There are approximately 363 Boeing Model 747-200, -300, -400 series 
    airplanes equipped with General Electric Model CF6-80C2 PMC and CF6-
    80C2 FADEC engines, and Pratt & Whitney Model PW4000 engines of the 
    affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 39 
    airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
        The actions that are required by this AD will take approximately 6 
    work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 
    per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at 
    no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact on 
    U.S. operators of the new requirements of this AD is estimated to be 
    $14,040, or $360 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 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 removing amendment 39-6918 (56 FR 
    8705, March 1, 1991), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
    amendment 39-9628, to read as follows:
    
    96-11-03  Boeing: Amendment 39-9628. Docket 95-NM-162-AD. Supersedes 
    AD 91-05-19, Amendment 39-6918.
    
        Applicability: Model 747-200, -300, and -400 series airplanes 
    having line positions 679 through 1041 inclusive; equipped with 
    General Electric Model CF6-80C2 PMC and CF6-80C2 FADEC, and Pratt & 
    Whitney Model PW4000 engines; 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 chafing of the fuel line in the strut of the number 1 
    and 4 engines, which could result in rupture of the fuel line and 
    subsequent in-flight engine fire, accomplish the following:
        (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
    the upper gap area of the strut of the number 1 and 4 engines, in 
    accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-36A2097, Revision 3, 
    dated September 28, 1995.
        (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.
        (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
    Service Bulletin 747-36A2097, Revision 3, dated September 28, 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,
    
    [[Page 25560]]
    
    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 June 26, 1996.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 14, 1996.
    S.R. Miller,
    Acting Manager,Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 96-12599 Filed 5-21-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
6/26/1996
Published:
05/22/1996
Department:
Transportation Department
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
96-12599
Dates:
Effective June 26, 1996.
Pages:
25558-25560 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 95-NM-162-AD, Amendment 39-9628, AD 96-11-03
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
96-12599.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13