Airworthiness Directives:

Federal Register Volume 76, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 11, 2011)

Proposed Rules

Pages 62667-62669

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]

FR Doc No: 2011-26105

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39

Docket No. FAA-2011-1065; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-007-AD

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of water leaking into electrical and electronic equipment in the main equipment center, which could result in an electrical short and potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight. This proposed AD would require modifying the floor panels, removing drains; installing floor supports, floor drain trough doublers, drain troughs, and drains; and sealing and taping the floor panels. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 25, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Fax: 202-493-2251.

Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket

Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New

Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.

Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact

Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.

15. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; phone: 206-544- 5000, extension 1; fax: 206-766-5680; e-mail: me.boecom@boeing.com;

    Internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane

    Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; 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 proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Francis Smith, Aerospace Engineer,

    Cabin Safety & Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, Seattle Aircraft

    Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

    Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6596; fax: 425-917-6590; e-mail:

    Francis.Smith@faa.gov.

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-1065;

    Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-007-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD because of those comments.

    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.

    Discussion

    We have received reports of water leaking into electrical and electronic equipment in the main equipment center on Model 747-400

    Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) airplanes. The water leaked through the main deck floor panels, fasteners, and floor fittings. The source of the water includes rain and snow coming in through the main deck doors, as well as wet cargo. This condition, if not corrected, could result in an electrical short and potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight.

    Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3586, dated November 12, 2010. This service information describes procedures for the following actions at stations 210 and 530.

    Modifying by removing and reworking floor panels

    Removing drains

    Installing new floor supports

    Installing floor drain trough doublers, and drain troughs

    Installing new drains

    Additionally, in certain areas between stations 140 and 640, this service information describes installing sealant and tape.

    FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

    Page 62668

    Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously.

    Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 12 airplanes of U.S. registry.

    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

    Estimated Costs

    Action

    Labor cost

    Parts cost

    Cost per product

    Cost on U.S. operators

    Floor panel reworking and sealing;

    Up to 644 work-hours x

    $64,033 Up to $118,773..................... Up to $1,425,276. installing drains, drain trough

    $85 per hour = $54,740. doublers, and drain troughs.

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed

    AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost estimate.

    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.

    Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 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),

    (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.

    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

    The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the

    Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

    The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2011-1065;

    Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-007-AD.

    (a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 25, 2011.

    (b) Affected ADs

    None.

    (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing

    Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3586, dated November 12, 2010.

    (d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association

    (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment and Furnishings.

    (e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of water leaking into electrical and electronic equipment in the main equipment center. We are issuing this AD to prevent water from entering the main equipment center, which could result in an electrical short and potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight.

    (f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

    (g) Floor Panel Sealing

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the floor panels; remove drains; install floor supports, floor drain trough doublers, drain troughs, and drains; and seal and tape the floor panels; at the applicable locations; in accordance with the

    Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service

    Bulletin 747-25-3586, dated November 12, 2010.

    (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),

    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 ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. Information may be e-mailed 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.

    (i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Francis Smith,

    Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety & Environmental Systems Branch,

    ANM-150S, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 1601

    Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6596; fax: 425-917-6590; e-mail: Francis.Smith@faa.gov.

    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact

    Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,

16. O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; phone: 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax: 206-766-

    Page 62669

    5680; e-mail: me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com.You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601

    Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 30, 2011.

    Ali Bahrami,

    Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

    Service.

    FR Doc. 2011-26105 Filed 10-7-11; 8:45 am

    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P