[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 6, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24914-24915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11562]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-138-AD; Amendment 39-10510; AD 98-09-29]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 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 series airplanes, that
requires removal and reconfiguration of the battery grounds of the
auxiliary power unit (APU). This amendment is prompted by reports of
smoke or fire coming from the APU due to battery grounds that were not
installed or maintained properly. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent overheating and heat damage of the APU battery
grounds due to improper installation of the APU battery ground, which
could result in heat damage and consequent smoke or fire on the
airplane.
DATES: Effective June 10, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 10, 1998.
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: Forrest Keller, Senior Aerospace
Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 227-2790; 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
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 25,
1997 (62 FR 62726). That action proposed to require removal and
reconfiguration of the battery grounds of the auxiliary power unit
(APU).
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 proposal.
Request To Extend the Compliance Time
The Air Transport Association (ATA) of America, on behalf of one of
its members, requests that the proposed compliance time be extended to
allow the modification to be accomplished within 12 months, rather than
6 months. This ATA member operates the largest number of U.S.-
registered 747-400 airplanes. The ATA member claims that such an
extension is warranted in light of the amount of time required for
preparation and accomplishment of the actions required by this proposed
AD, and in light of the results of inspections to detect discrepancies
of the APU battery grounds performed subsequent to receipt of and in
accordance with Boeing telex M-7240-96-0927, dated May 24, 1996. The
ATA member maintains that the results of this inspection indicated that
the APU grounds on its airplanes that are the subject of the unsafe
condition of this proposed AD were retorqued and found to be free of
discrepancies.
The FAA concurs with the commenter's request to extend the
compliance time from 6 months to 12 months. In light of the information
presented by the commenter, the FAA finds that such an extension will
allow the modification to be performed with minimal effect on the
maintenance schedule and no adverse effect on safety. Paragraph (a) of
the final rule has been revised to specify a compliance time of 12
months.
[[Page 24915]]
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 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.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 359 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 26 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 16 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 $1,325 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the AD onU.S. operators is estimated to be $59,410, or $2,285
per airplane.
The 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.
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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
98-09-29 Boeing: Amendment 39-10510. Docket 97-NM-138-AD.
Applicability: Model 747-400 series airplanes, as listed in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2214, dated June 19, 1997;
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 auxiliary power unit (APU) from overheat and heat
damage due to an improperly installed/maintained APU battery ground,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
reconfigure the APU battery grounds to a dual-direct ground, single-
lug configuration, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-24A2214, dated June 19, 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). 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 actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-24A2214, 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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on June 10, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 24, 1998.
Gary L. Killion,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-11562 Filed 5-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
