98-25972. Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, -200, -300, SP, and SR Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 189 (Wednesday, September 30, 1998)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 52147-52152]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-25972]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 97-NM-272-AD; Amendment 39-10808; AD 98-20-40]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, -200, -300, SP, 
    and SR 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 all Boeing Model 747-100, -200, -300, SP, and SR series 
    airplanes, that requires the installation of shielding and separation 
    of the electrical wiring of the fuel quantity indication system (FQIS). 
    This amendment is prompted by a failure analysis of the FQIS, and 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 this 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(s). Such arcing 
    could result in ignition of the fuel tank(s).
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: November 4, 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this amendment may be examined at 
    the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane 
    Directorate, Rules
    
    [[Page 52148]]
    
    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: 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 747-100, -200, and -300 
    series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 1, 
    1997 (62 FR 63624). [An action to reopen the comment period for the 
    proposal was issued on March 23,1998 (63 FR 14850, March 27, 1998).] 
    That action proposed to require the 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).
        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
    
        Two commenters support the proposed rule.
    
    Request To Withdraw Proposed AD: Lack of Evidence
    
        Three commenters, including the manufacturer, state that the 
    proposed AD should be withdrawn or significantly delayed, based on the 
    lack of conclusive evidence that the Trans World Airlines Flight 800 
    accident on July 17, 1996 (hereinafter referred to as TWA Flight 800), 
    which involved a Model 747-100 series airplane, was caused by failure 
    of the FQIS components and wiring that is routed to the tanks. In 
    addition, the manufacturer comments extensively on the features of the 
    existing system that are intended to prevent an ignition source from 
    existing in the fuel tanks due to FQIS wiring or component failures. 
    The manufacturer further comments that it believes that the current 
    design of the FQIS is safe in the originally delivered configuration, 
    when it is maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's approved 
    maintenance documents. The manufacturer states that multiple failures 
    within the FQIS would be required to create an ignition source within a 
    fuel tank.
        The FAA does not concur that the proposed AD should be withdrawn or 
    delayed. The FAA agrees that no conclusive evidence exists that failure 
    of the FQIS components or wiring that is routed to the tanks caused the 
    TWA Flight 800 airplane accident. However, during such accidents, 
    evidence that could lead to a conclusive identification of the cause of 
    the accident is often destroyed. Even without the destruction caused by 
    the accident, there often is no specific physical evidence of low-
    energy electrical arcing. In addition, in consideration of the amount 
    of wiring installed on a Boeing Model 747 series airplane, and in 
    consideration of the amount of damage to the wiring that occurred 
    during the airplane fire, breakup, and subsequent recovery, conclusive 
    identification of a specific wire that was damaged before the fire and 
    breakup is extremely unlikely.
        Following the determination that a fire in the center wing fuel 
    tank of the TWA Flight 800 airplane was the initial event in the 
    airplane breakup, and the determination that the fire was not caused by 
    an external source such as a bomb or missile, the National 
    Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has necessarily used systems 
    analysis methods to determine what systems on the airplane are most 
    likely to have been the source of ignition energy. That analysis 
    included an examination of system failure modes and effects, an 
    examination of service history, and examinations of similar airplanes. 
    It was that analysis that led the FAA to propose the requirements 
    specified in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
        In commenting on the specific design features of the FQIS on Model 
    747 series airplanes, the manufacturer points out that multiple 
    independent failures would be required to create an FQIS-related 
    ignition source in the fuel tank, implying that such an event is 
    therefore impossible. The FAA agrees that more than one failure would 
    be required to create an ignition source inside the fuel tank. The fact 
    that fuel tank explosions on Model 747 series airplanes have been rare 
    would seem to support a claim that single failures have not been the 
    cause of fuel tank explosions. However, during the accident 
    investigation, the FQIS safety analysis and the examinations of Model 
    747 series airplanes performed by the NTSB revealed several scenarios 
    where a combination of a latent failure or aging condition within the 
    fuel tank and a subsequent single failure or electrical interference 
    condition outside the tank can cause an ignition source to occur inside 
    a fuel tank.
        Examples of these in-tank and out-of-tank conditions that can 
    contribute to a multiple-failure ignition scenario were found in 
    airplane service records and on airplanes that were inspected by the 
    FAA and the NTSB. Various center wing fuel tanks were found with 
    conductive debris in the tanks, damaged FQIS wire insulation at the 
    fuel probes, and contamination of probes and in-tank wiring by 
    conductive copper/sulfur or silver/sulfur films. Each of these 
    conditions can create latent potential ignition locations inside the 
    fuel tank.
        In addition, several conditions have been identified that can lead 
    to sufficient energy in the FQIS wiring to create an ignition source if 
    combined with one of the latent conditions described above. For 
    example, electromagnetic coupling between systems routed together in 
    bundles can occur. In addition, direct short circuit conditions can 
    occur in wire bundles containing FQIS wiring. Airplanes were found with 
    aluminum drill shavings on and inside various wire bundles in several 
    locations between the flight deck and the fuel tank. Such shavings can, 
    with vibration or other motion, cut through wire insulation and provide 
    a conductive path between wires in a bundle. Service history contains 
    records of wire bundle fires, which may have been due to such 
    conditions. An examination of one wire bundle involved in such a fire 
    revealed the presence of aluminum globules, presumably from molten 
    shavings.
        The manufacturer also stated that, if a failure in a wire bundle 
    involving the FQIS were to occur, the FQIS indications would be 
    affected and the failure would be noted and repaired. No arc would be 
    created inside the fuel tank due to the inherently safe design of the 
    in-tank components and wiring. The FAA does not agree. If one of the 
    latent in-tank conditions discussed above existed on the accident 
    airplane, the first indication of a wire bundle failure or 
    electromagnetic interference (EMI) event outside the tank may have been 
    ignition of the fuel vapor in the tank. In the minutes immediately 
    preceding the in-flight breakup of the TWA Flight 800 airplane, the 
    cockpit voice recorder indicates that the crew noticed a fuel flow 
    indicator that was providing erratic indications. Such indications 
    could have been due to a failure occurring in a wire bundle. The NTSB 
    investigation determined that the fuel flow indicator wiring was routed 
    in the same wire bundle as FQIS wiring on the TWA Flight 800 airplane.
        An examination of the service history for transport category 
    airplanes on which shielding and separation of the
    
    [[Page 52149]]
    
    FQIS wiring from other systems have been incorporated has shown that 
    fewer fuel tank fire/explosion events have occurred (a tabulation of 
    transport airplane fuel tank fires was included in the FAA Notice of 
    Request for Comments on NTSB Safety Recommendations published in the 
    Federal Register on April 3, 1997 (62 FR 16014)). The two most recent 
    fuel tank explosion accidents--a Boeing Model 737-300 series airplane 
    operated by Philippine Airlines in 1990, and a Boeing Model 747-100 
    series airplane operated as TWA Flight 800 in 1996--remain unsolved, 
    and both airplane types follow the wiring practices addressed by this 
    rule.
        Therefore, the FAA has determined that, to address the potential 
    for fuel tank ignition due to a latent failure plus one subsequent 
    failure, the type design of the Model 747 series airplane must be 
    brought up to the same wiring standards as other transport category 
    airplanes certificated during the same time period that the Model 747 
    series airplane was certificated. (Similar rulemaking has been proposed 
    for Model 737 series airplanes. Reference Rules Docket No. 98-NM-50-AD 
    (63 FR 38524, April 22, 1998).) No change to this final rule is 
    necessary.
    
    Request To Withdraw Proposed AD: Inaccurate Test Results
    
        Four commenters state that the proposed AD should be withdrawn and 
    the problem studied further. The commenters claim that the results of 
    laboratory EMI testing performed by the manufacturer are not 
    representative of actual conditions on an airplane.
        These commenters further state that results of additional testing 
    performed by the manufacturer on an airplane did not agree with the 
    findings obtained in the laboratory, and showed much lower levels of 
    electromagnetic coupling between the FQIS and other systems on the 
    airplane. The FAA does not concur that the proposed AD should be 
    withdrawn. The laboratory testing performed by the manufacturer was 
    based on an industry-accepted procedure (FAA Advisory Circular 21-16C, 
    ``Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics'' Document DO-160C). The 
    test set-up and procedure re-create a well-known electrical transient 
    event resulting from switching of airplane electrical systems.
        The industry-accepted test set-up and procedure were developed by 
    industry with key support from the manufacturer, and were based, in 
    part, on data provided by the manufacturer for typical switching 
    transients on the manufacturer's airplanes.
        Also, the FAA has determined that the test procedures used during 
    the manufacturer's airplane test were not representative of all the 
    possible conditions on an airplane in operation. The test was performed 
    on an out-of-service airplane with only some of the relevant systems 
    powered and switched. No attempt was made to represent any system 
    failure conditions or compromised shielding/grounding provisions on the 
    systems that were powered and switched. Also, because of the way 
    airplane wire bundles are manufactured and installed, significant 
    variation in levels of coupling among systems has been seen in the past 
    and would be expected on Model 747 series airplanes.
        Moreover, the FAA's determination of the existence of an unsafe 
    condition is not wholly dependent on the results of the tests discussed 
    above. In the FQIS system safety analysis and airplane inspections 
    performed by the NTSB, several tank ignition scenarios were identified 
    involving a combination of a latent failure or aging condition inside 
    the fuel tank and a subsequent failure or electromagnetic coupling 
    outside the tank. Various FAA and NTSB activities identified actual 
    examples of, or the specific potential for, each of those types of 
    contributing conditions. The FAA has proposed a separate AD action to 
    address contributing in-tank failure or aging conditions that have been 
    identified. [Reference Rules Docket No. 98-NM-163-AD (63 FR 39765, 
    dated July 24, 1998).] This final rule is intended to address the out-
    of-tank contributing conditions that could lead to tank ignition.
        By requiring ``best practices'' to be used both inside the tank (to 
    eliminate the possibility for the creation of latent ``spark-gap'' 
    locations in the event of high voltage on the FQIS wires) and outside 
    the tank (to avoid introduction of ignition energy onto the FQIS 
    wires), the FAA believes that the FQIS design of the Model 747 series 
    airplane will meet appropriate fail-safe standards. The modified design 
    will then provide the level of safety (i.e., tank ignition events 
    should never occur) intended by the regulations in place at the time of 
    original certification of the design, and the unsafe condition will be 
    eliminated from this threat. No change to the final rule is necessary.
    
    Request To Withdraw Proposed AD: Potential for Other Safety 
    Problems
    
        Seven commenters state that the proposed rule should be withdrawn 
    and the need for the rule should be studied further. The commenters are 
    concerned that the proposed changes may introduce other unforeseen 
    problems onto an airplane that has an excellent safety record. The 
    commenters are specifically concerned about transient suppression 
    devices reducing the accuracy of the FQIS and the replacement of wiring 
    causing damage to remaining wiring on older airplanes. These commenters 
    also express concern that transient suppression devices could have 
    latent failure conditions under which electrical transients would not 
    be suppressed, and therefore would require added repetitive inspections 
    or tests.
        The FAA does not concur that the proposed AD should be withdrawn. 
    However, the FAA agrees with comments from the manufacturer and one of 
    the operators that the use of transient suppression devices to perform 
    a critical function of preventing tank ignition is new, and that the 
    industry should be cautious in exploring that option. Therefore, the 
    FAA is not including a requirement for the incorporation of such 
    devices in the final rule. The FAA instead is requiring that the FQIS 
    wiring be shielded and separated from other wiring, as explained 
    previously. This requirement is merely a subset of those requirements 
    specified in the proposed AD. The modified wiring configuration 
    proposed by the manufacturer caps and stows the existing wiring and 
    requires the new wiring to be installed as a separate bundle in most 
    parts of the airplane. This method minimizes the disturbance of 
    existing wiring, which reduces the likelihood that additional problems 
    will be caused by the modification of the FQIS wiring. The FAA has 
    revised the final rule to eliminate the proposed requirement for 
    installation of transient suppression devices.
    
    Request To Delay Issuance of the AD: Make Service Information 
    Available
    
        Two commenters, including the manufacturer of FQIS components, 
    state that the proposed AD should not be issued until service 
    information to accomplish the required actions is available from the 
    manufacturer. These commenters state that the cost of the proposed rule 
    could not be assessed accurately in the absence of service information, 
    and that a significant portion of the proposed compliance time would be 
    used up in the preparation of service information.
        The FAA does not concur. The FAA does not consider that delaying 
    this action until after the release of the service bulletin planned by 
    the manufacturer is warranted because sufficient technology currently 
    exists to devise and install the required features within the 
    compliance time. However,
    
    [[Page 52150]]
    
    paragraph (a) of the final rule has been revised to allow 36 months for 
    the modification of airplanes. The extension of the compliance time 
    afforded by this change is intended to allow sufficient time for the 
    preparation of a manufacturer's service bulletin and for the subsequent 
    modification of the affected airplanes during scheduled maintenance. 
    The FAA has determined that this extension of the compliance time will 
    not have a significant adverse effect on the safety of the fleet of 
    Model 747 series airplanes.
        At the time the NPRM was issued, the manufacturer had not prepared 
    service information with specific cost information; the FAA estimated 
    the costs based on similar modifications accomplished previously on 
    other airplane models. The cost estimate has been revised based on 
    information provided by the manufacturer, as discussed below.
    
    Request To Delay Issuance of the AD Until a Meeting Is Held
    
        One commenter states that the rule should be withdrawn or delayed 
    until a meeting can be held among representatives of operators, 
    manufacturers, and the FAA. The FAA does not concur. The commenter 
    provided no technical justification for the proposed delay. As 
    indicated previously, the compliance time has been extended from 12 
    months, as proposed, to 36 months in this final rule. To delay this 
    action further would be inappropriate, since the FAA has determined 
    that an unsafe condition exists and that affected airplanes must be 
    modified to ensure continued safety. No change to the AD is necessary.
    
    Request To Extend Compliance Time
    
        Seven commenters, including the manufacturer, a vendor of transient 
    suppression systems, and several operators, state that a longer 
    compliance time should be allowed to allow modification of airplanes 
    during heavy maintenance activities scheduled previously and to allow 
    time for service information to be prepared. The manufacturer states 
    that 18 to 24 months would be required to prepare service information.
        The FAA concurs partially. Although, as explained previously, the 
    FAA does not agree that 18 to 24 months would be required solely to 
    prepare service information, the FAA does agree that schedule 
    interruptions should be minimized in performing the modifications to 
    the Model 747 series airplane fleet. The FAA has attempted to determine 
    a compliance time that provides for the most timely modification 
    possible without causing unnecessary schedule interruptions. As stated 
    previously, the FAA has revised paragraph (a) of the final rule to 
    extend the compliance time to 36 months for accomplishment of the 
    modification. This compliance time is expected to allow sufficient time 
    for preparation of service information, and for the affected airplanes 
    to be modified during scheduled ``C'' or ``D'' checks.
    
    Preference for a Specific Design Solution
    
        Three commenters, including the manufacturer, propose no specific 
    change to the rule, but state a preference for a particular design 
    change to address the unsafe condition. The manufacturer states that it 
    believes that wire separation and shielding is currently the preferable 
    solution because of concerns about transient suppression devices 
    reducing the accuracy of the fuel quantity indication and concerns 
    about those devices having latent failure conditions under which 
    electrical transients would not be suppressed. Another commenter, an 
    operator, prefers that transient suppression alone be used because it 
    would be less costly and disruptive to install. A specific technical 
    and marketing proposal for transient suppression devices was submitted 
    by a vendor of such devices for other types of installations.
        The FAA infers that the commenters request that a particular design 
    be required rather than offering optional methods of compliance. The 
    FAA concurs partially. As discussed previously, the FAA agrees that 
    wire separation and shielding provide the preferred design solution. 
    Based on comments from the manufacturer and on its own further 
    analysis, the FAA has determined that transient suppression devices 
    alone may not meet the intent of the rule. The FAA has concerns that 
    transient suppression devices may have latent failure modes that render 
    the transient suppression function inoperative, or may have failure 
    modes that may allow introduction of high voltage signals into the fuel 
    tank that otherwise would not have occurred.
        Based on the comments and the FAA's concerns, paragraph (a) of the 
    final rule has been revised to eliminate the general requirement for 
    transient suppression. Operators that have specific design changes 
    other than those required by the AD that may provide an acceptable 
    level of safety may request approval of an alternative method of 
    compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of the AD.
    
    Request for Inclusion of Optional Method of Compliance
    
        Three commenters suggest that the installation of a BFGoodrich 
    Aerospace FQIS be allowed as an optional method of compliance in the 
    proposed AD. The commenters state that the BFGoodrich system, already 
    approved by a Supplemental Type Certificate and installed on 
    approximately 75 airplanes, incorporates shielding and separation of 
    the FQIS wiring from the wiring for other airplane systems.
        The FAA does not concur. Until specific design data are reviewed, 
    the FAA cannot determine whether the BFGoodrich design should be 
    approved as an alternative method of compliance. To delay this action 
    while the FAA reviews the BFGoodrich design would be inappropriate, 
    since the FAA has determined that an unsafe condition exists and that 
    affected airplanes must be modified to ensure continued safety. 
    Interested operators may request approval of an alternative method of 
    compliance in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of the 
    AD. No change to the final rule is necessary.
    
    Request To Revise Cost Estimate of the Proposed AD
    
        Three commenters propose no specific change to the rule, but 
    disagree with the cost estimate in the proposed rule, and offer 
    differing specific cost estimates. One commenter, an operator, states 
    that at least 200 work hours per airplane would be required to perform 
    the proposed modification, and even more hours would be required if the 
    FQIS wire routing is changed significantly. A vendor of FQIS's states 
    that, based on its own experience retrofitting such systems in Model 
    747 series airplanes, 600 to 1,200 work hours per airplane would be 
    required to perform the proposed modifications. The manufacturer states 
    that 450 work hours and $9,000 for parts would be required to separate 
    and shield the FQIS wiring, and that 16 to 24 work hours and $25,000 
    for parts would be required to install transient suppression devices.
        The FAA infers that the commenters are requesting revision of the 
    cost impact information of the AD. The FAA concurs. At the time the 
    NPRM was issued, the manufacturer had not prepared service information 
    with specific cost information. The FAA made an estimate of the costs 
    based on similar modifications accomplished previously on other 
    airplane models. The cost estimate in this final rule has been revised 
    based on information provided by the manufacturer, and now reflects 
    that modification of affected
    
    [[Page 52151]]
    
    Model 747 series airplanes to install shielded FQIS wiring and to 
    separate the FQIS wiring from other wiring is expected to require 450 
    work hours and $9,000 for parts.
    
    Request for Clarification of Affected Fuel Tanks
    
        One commenter states that the proposed AD refers only to fuel tanks 
    and is not clear as to whether it is intended to apply to all fuel 
    tanks or just the center wing fuel tank. The FAA concurs that 
    clarification is necessary, and has changed the final rule to clearly 
    indicate that it is applicable to all fuel tanks.
    
    Clarification of Systems Affected
    
        Since the issuance of the NPRM, the FAA recognized that the 
    proposed AD may be unclear with respect to which electrical circuits 
    were intended to be affected by the proposed AD. The FAA considers the 
    FQIS wiring to include all electrical circuits associated with the 
    control or indication of the fuel quantity on the airplane. This would 
    include, but is not limited to, the FQIS tank probe circuits, the 
    volumetric shutoff compensator circuits, densitometer circuits, and 
    float switch circuits. The term ``circuits'' is considered by the FAA 
    to include airplane wiring as well as wiring within components. No 
    change to the final rule is necessary.
    
    Clarification of Airplane Models Affected
    
        The NPRM indicated that the airplanes affected by the proposed AD 
    were Boeing Model 747-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes. The 
    proposed AD was intended to apply to all Boeing Model 747 series 
    airplanes that do not have shielded and separated FQIS wiring, 
    including the 747SR and 747SP series airplanes. The estimate of the 
    affected fleet size that was provided in the NPRM included those 
    airplanes, which many, including the manufacturer, consider to be part 
    of the Model 747-100 series. Those models are listed separately on the 
    Model 747 Type Certificate Data Sheet. Therefore, in order to clarify 
    that this AD does apply to those models, the final rule has been 
    revised to list the affected airplanes as Boeing Model 747-100, -200, -
    300, SP, and SR series.
    
    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 changes previously 
    described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
    significantly increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase 
    the scope of the AD.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        There are approximately 650 Model 747-100, -200, -300, SP, and SR 
    series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
    estimates that 202 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this 
    AD, that it will take approximately 450 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 $9,000 per 
    airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
    operators is estimated to be $7,272,000, or $36,000 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, 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:
    
    98-20-40  Boeing: Amendment 39-10808. Docket 97-NM-272-AD.
    
        Applicability: All Model 747-100, -200, -300, -SP, and -SR 
    series airplanes, 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 electrical transients induced by electromagnetic 
    interference (EMI) or electrical short circuit conditions from 
    causing arcing of the fuel quantity indication system (FQIS) 
    electrical wiring or probes in the fuel tank(s), which could result 
    in ignition of the fuel tank(s), accomplish the following:
        (a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, 
    replace all of the FQIS wiring outside of the fuel tanks and surge 
    tank with shielded wiring, and install that wiring so as to provide 
    separation of that wiring from other airplane systems wiring, in 
    accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft 
    Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
        (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 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.
    
    [[Page 52152]]
    
        (d) This amendment becomes effective on November 4, 1998.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 23, 1998.
    Darrell M. Pederson,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 98-25972 Filed 9-29-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
11/4/1998
Published:
09/30/1998
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
98-25972
Dates:
November 4, 1998.
Pages:
52147-52152 (6 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 97-NM-272-AD, Amendment 39-10808, AD 98-20-40
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
98-25972.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13