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Start Preamble
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of damage found at the lower trailing edge panels of the left wing and a broken fuse pin of the landing gear beam end fitting. This AD requires repetitive replacement or inspection of certain fuse pins, and applicable on-condition actions. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES:
This AD is effective October 5, 2017.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 5, 2017.
ADDRESSES:
For service information identified in this final rule, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0559.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0559; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Start Further InfoFOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Bill Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6432; fax: 425-917-6590; email: bill.ashforth@faa.gov.
End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental InformationSUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 20, 2017 (82 FR 28023). The NPRM was prompted by a report of damage found at the lower trailing edge panels of the left wing and a broken fuse pin of the landing gear beam end fitting. The NPRM proposed to require repetitive replacement or inspection of certain fuse pins, and applicable on-condition actions. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the fuse pin of the wing landing gear beam end fitting. A broken fuse pin will not support the wing landing gear beam, causing damage to the surrounding structure, including flight control cables and hydraulic systems, which could result in loss of controllability of the airplane.
Comment
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this final rule. We have considered the comment received. Boeing supported the NPRM.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
- Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
- Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-57A2360, dated January 20, 2017. The service information describes procedures for repetitive replacement or inspection of certain fuse pins, and applicable on-condition actions. This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 158 airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:Start Printed Page 41332
Estimated Costs
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators Fuse pin replacement 1 Up to 46 work-hours × $85 per hour = $3,910 per replacement cycle Up to $15,150 Up to $19,060 per replacement cycle Up to $3,011,480 per replacement cycle. Magnetic particle inspection 1 Up to 48 work-hours × $85 per hour = $4,080 per inspection cycle $0 Up to $4,080 per inspection cycle Up to $644,640 per inspection cycle. Surface inspection 1 Up to 10 work-hours × $85 per hour = $850 per inspection cycle $0 Up to $850 per inspection cycle Up to $134,300 per inspection cycle. 1 Operators may choose which action they want to use. We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements that will be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these replacements:
On-condition Costs
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Fuse pin replacement 46 work-hours × $85 per hour = $3,910 Up to $15,150 Up to $19,060. Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: “General requirements.” Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to the Director of the System Oversight Division.
Regulatory Findings
This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
Start List of SubjectsList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
- Air transportation
- Aircraft
- Aviation safety
- Incorporation by reference
- Safety
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
Start PartPART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
End Part Start Amendment Part1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
End Amendment Part[Amended]2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
End Amendment Part2017-18-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-19014; Docket No. FAA-2017-0559; Product Identifier 2017-NM-013-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective October 5, 2017.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of damage found at the lower trailing edge panels of the left wing and a broken fuse pin of the landing gear beam end fitting. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the fuse pin of the wing landing gear beam end fitting. A broken fuse pin will not support the wing landing gear beam, causing damage to the surrounding structure, including flight control cables and hydraulic systems, which could result in loss of controllability of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Actions Required for Compliance
Except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-57A2360, dated January 20, 2017, do all applicable actions identified as required for compliance (“RC”) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-57A2360, dated January 20, 2017.
(h) Exception to the Service Information
Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-57A2360, dated January 20, 2017, specifies a compliance time “after the original issue date of this service bulletin,” this AD requires Start Printed Page 41333compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.
(4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (i)(4)(i) and (i)(4)(ii) of this AD apply.
(i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled “RC Exempt,” then the RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and identified figures.
(ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition.
(j) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Bill Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6432; fax: 425-917-6590; email: bill.ashforth@faa.gov.
(k) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-57A2360, dated January 20, 2017.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Boeing service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.
Start SignatureIssued in Renton, Washington, on August 21, 2017.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-18392 Filed 8-30-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
Document Information
- Effective Date:
- 10/5/2017
- Published:
- 08/31/2017
- Department:
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Entry Type:
- Rule
- Action:
- Final rule.
- Document Number:
- 2017-18392
- Dates:
- This AD is effective October 5, 2017.
- Pages:
- 41331-41333 (3 pages)
- Docket Numbers:
- Docket No. FAA-2017-0559, Product Identifier 2017-NM-013-AD, Amendment 39-19014, AD 2017-18-05
- RINs:
- 2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
- RIN Links:
- https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
- Topics:
- Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety
- PDF File:
- 2017-18392.pdf
- Supporting Documents:
- » U.S. DOT/FAA - Supporting AD Documents
- » U.S. DOT/FAA - Supplemental AD Documents
- CFR: (1)
- 14 CFR 39.13