[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 173 (Tuesday, September 8, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47447-47448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24065]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-223-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 to detect improperly installed or frayed aileron cables, and
a one-time detailed visual inspection to detect improper identification
or location of the cable markers, and corrective actions, if necessary.
This proposal is prompted by a report that an aileron cable failed, due
to improper installation onto the wrong groove of an aileron cable
drum. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect
and correct an improperly installed aileron cable; such installation
could lead to the failure of the aileron cable, and consequent reduced
lateral control capability of the airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 23, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-223-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. Anderson, Aerospace
Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington;
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 98-NM-223-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-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-NM-223-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report indicating that an operator of a
Boeing Model 747 series airplane experienced a failure of a wing
aileron control cable (AA-11) during the taxi-out phase of operations.
An adjacent aileron cable (AB-13) also was found to be severely frayed.
An investigation attributed the aileron cable failure and cable fraying
to the improper installation of the aileron cables onto the aileron
cable drum. Specifically, the improper installation consisted of both
aileron cables being installed into the wrong grooves of the aileron
cable drum. This allowed the aileron cables to make contact with the
forward guide pin of the aileron cable drum, which in turn led to the
fraying of the cables.
The misrouting of the aileron cables on the incident airplane was
probably related to the fact that certain aileron cable markers, which
are merely decals that the manufacturer uses as guides for
installation, were installed incorrectly. Further investigation
indicated that as many as eight other airplanes also had aileron cable
markers that had been installed incorrectly. In addition, at least
three other airplanes have experienced excessive aileron cable wear due
to misrouting of the aileron cables during installation. An improperly
installed aileron cable, if not corrected, could lead to the eventual
failure of an aileron cable, and consequent reduced lateral control
capability of the airplane.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Service Bulletin 747-27-
2367, dated June 25, 1998, which describes procedures for performing a
one-time detailed visual inspection to detect improper installation or
fraying of the aileron cables, and a one-time detailed visual
inspection to detect improper identification or location of the
associated aileron cable markers, and corrective actions, if necessary.
The corrective actions include replacing frayed cables with new cables,
and rerouting misrouted aileron cables; and replacing any incorrectly
installed aileron cable markers with new markers.
[[Page 47448]]
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 require accomplishment of the actions specified in
the service bulletin described previously. The proposed AD also would
require that operators report the results of adverse inspection
findings to the FAA.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 1,053 Boeing Model 747 series airplanes of
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 228
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 9 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the proposed detailed visual inspections, at an average labor rate of
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $123,120, or $540 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 98-NM-223-AD.
Applicability: Model 747 series airplanes, line numbers 1
through 1129 inclusive, excluding line number 1122; 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 (c) 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 detect and correct an improperly installed aileron cable,
which could lead to the failure of the aileron cable, and consequent
reduced lateral control capability of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a one-time detailed visual inspection to detect improper
installation or fraying of the aileron cables on both wings. In
addition, perform a one-time detailed visual inspection of the
aileron cable markers on both wings to detect improper
identification or location. Perform both inspections in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-
27-2367, dated June 25, 1998.
(1) If no improperly installed or frayed aileron cable is found,
and if no aileron cable marker is improperly identified or located,
no further action is required by this AD.
(2) If any aileron cable is found to be improperly installed
(but not frayed), prior to further flight, reroute the discrepant
aileron cable in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
the service bulletin.
(3) If any aileron cable is found to be frayed, prior to further
flight, replace the discrepant aileron cable with a new aileron
cable in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the
service bulletin.
(4) If any aileron cable marker is found to be improperly
identified or located, prior to further flight, replace the
discrepant aileron cable marker with a new aileron cable marker in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin.
(b) Within 10 days after accomplishing the detailed visual
inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD, submit a report of
the inspection results (adverse findings only) to the Manager,
Boeing Certificate Management Office, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 2500 East Valley Road, Suite C2, Renton, Washington
98055; fax (425) 227-1159. Required information for each report must
include the following: description of the adverse finding, airplane
serial number, and total flight cycles and flight hours accumulated
at the time of the inspection. Information collection requirements
contained in this regulation have been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been
assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
(c) 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.
(d) 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 September 1, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24065 Filed 9-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
