[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27403-27405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12444]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-190-AD; Amendment 39-9237; AD 95-11-03]
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 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 series airplanes, that requires
replacement of the existing pressure relief valve in the potable water
system with a non-adjustable, single setting valve. This amendment is
prompted by reports of potable water tanks that ruptured and resulted
in damage to the passenger compartment. The actions specified by this
AD are intended to prevent injury to the crew and passengers and damage
to the passenger compartment due to an explosive failure of the potable
water tank.
DATES: Effective June 23, 1995.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 23, 1995.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained [[Page 27404]] 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: Don Eiford, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2788; fax (206) 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 series
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 15, 1994
(59 FR 64629). That action proposed to require replacement of the
existing pressure relief valve in the potable water system with a non-
adjustable, single setting valve. -
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received. -
Two commenters support the rule. -
The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), on behalf of
several of its members, supports the proposed rule, but requests that
the proposed compliance time of 6 months be extended to 12 months. ATA
states that the 6-month compliance time would require several members
to ``special schedule'' their maintenance planning in order to
accomplish the proposed replacement of the pressure relief valve in the
potable water system. The FAA does not concur with the commenter's
request to extend the compliance time. In developing an appropriate
compliance 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 aspect of
replacing the pressure relief valve within a maximum interval of time
allowable for all affected airplanes to continue to operate without
compromising safety. The manufacturer has advised that an ample number
of required parts will be available for the replacement of the pressure
relief valve for the U.S. fleet within the proposed compliance period.
Additionally, the replacement actions required by this AD are
uncomplicated and do not require special scheduling; the inspection
could be accomplished during an ``A'' check, which occurs every one or
two weeks. However, under the provisions of paragraph (b) of the final
rule, the FAA may approve requests for adjustments to the compliance
time if data are submitted to substantiate that such an adjustment
would provide an acceptable level of safety. -
Since issuance of the Notice, Boeing has issued Revision 1, dated
March 2, 1995, of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-38A2105. This alert
service bulletin changes airplane grouping by putting all Model 747 SP
series airplanes in Group 3, and changes the part numbers of the valves
required for Group 1 and Group 2 airplanes. Revision 1 does not
increase the scope of the work required. Therefore, the FAA has revised
the final rule to reflect the latest revision to the service bulletin
as the appropriate source of service information. -
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 change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD. -
There are approximately 983 Boeing Model 747 series airplanes of
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 205
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required
parts will cost approximately $120 per airplane. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $73,800, or $360 per airplane. -
The total cost impact figure discussed above is 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 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
39.13 [Amended] -
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
95-11-03 Boeing: Amendment 39-9237. Docket 94-NM-190-AD.
-Applicability: Model 747 series airplanes, line positions 1
through 1013 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 use the authority
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
-Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously. -
To prevent explosive failure of the potable water tank, which
could cause damage to the [[Page 27405]] passenger compartment and
result in injury to the crew and passengers, accomplish the
following: -
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace
the existing pressure relief valve in the potable water system with
a non-adjustable, single setting valve, in accordance with Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-38A2105, Revision 1, dated March 2, 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 replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing
Service Bulletin 747-38A2105, Revision 1, dated March 2, 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 June 23, 1995.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 16, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-12444 Filed 5-23-95; 8:45 am]
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