Airworthiness Directives: Boeing Model 747 Airplanes; and Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, and -300 Series Airplanes

Federal Register: October 29, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 208)

Rules and Regulations

Page 55763-55765

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr29oc09-6

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39

Docket No. FAA-2008-1326; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-141-AD;

Amendment 39-16059; AD 2009-22-08

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 Airplanes; and Boeing

Model 757-200, -200PF, and -300 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain

Boeing Model 747 airplanes and certain Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, and -300 series airplanes. This AD requires replacing the control switches of the forward, aft, and nose cargo doors of Model 747 airplanes; and requires replacing the control switches of cargo doors 1 and 2 of Model 757 series airplanes. This AD results from reports of problems associated with the uncommanded operation of cargo doors. We are issuing this AD to prevent injuries to persons and damage to the airplane and equipment.

DATES: This AD is effective December 3, 2009.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of December 3, 2009.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact

Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,

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

Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.

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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The address for the

Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Gillespie, Aerospace Engineer,

Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle

Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6429; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes and certain Boeing Model 757-200, - 200PF, and -300 series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the

Federal Register on December 23, 2008 (73 FR 78672). That NPRM proposed to require replacing the control switches of the forward, aft, and nose cargo doors of Model 747 airplanes; and replacing the control switches of cargo doors 1 and 2 of Model 757 series airplanes.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We considered the comments received from the four commenters.

Support for the NPRM

Boeing concurs with the content of the NPRM.

Request for Inclusion of Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM) 52-34-30

American Airlines (AA) requests that we revise paragraph (f)(2) of the NPRM to allow another method to comply with the AD for Model 757 series airplanes. As proposed, the NPRM would require replacing the control switches of cargo doors 1 and 2 of Model 757 series airplanes, in accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-52- 0090, dated September 21, 2007, which specifies a brush coat to the switch terminals with BMS5-37 or BMS5-45 Class A sealant after all wires are connected. Since AA uses the AMM for instructions for replacement, and the AMM does not specify the brush coat to the switch terminals with BMS5-37 or BMS5-45 Class A sealant after all wires are connected, AA requests that we revise the NPRM to state that the control switches of cargo doors 1 and 2 can be replaced in accordance with either the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention

Service Bulletin 757-52-0090, dated September 21, 2007, or the removal and installation steps found in the AMM.

AA states that it initiated a replacement program for the cargo switches mentioned in the previous paragraph in accordance with the

AMM. Approximately one year after the initiation of the replacement program, Boeing released Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757- 52-0090, dated September 21, 2007, which introduced the requirement to

``[b]rush coat the switch terminals with BMS5-37 or BMS5-45 Class A sealant after all wires are connected.'' AA notes that this requirement was not and is not presently found in the AMM procedure.

We disagree with the request to allow doing the removal and installation procedures in the AMM as a method of compliance with paragraph (f)(2) of this AD. In order to address the identified unsafe condition, operators will have to do additional actions that are not found in the AMM, including the brush coat to the switch terminals with

BMS5-37 or BMS5-45 Class A sealant after all wires are connected.

Paragraph (g) of this AD provides operators the opportunity to request an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) for the requirements of paragraph (f)(2), if data are presented that justify the request. We have not changed the AD in this regard.

Request for Documentation

FedEx requests that we revise the NPRM to identify the maintenance document that will be the appropriate source of service information for the immediate replacement of a toggle switch in the event an

``uncommanded operation'' is found prior to the next 6-year mark (the proposed repetitive interval specified in the NPRM).

We partially agree. We agree that operators should replace the switch in the event of an uncommanded operation and note that Boeing

Special Attention Service Bulletins 747-52-2286, dated September 28, 2007; and 757-52-0090, dated September 21, 2007; provide adequate information to accomplish switch replacement. We disagree with the request to revise this AD because

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this AD does not mandate replacement in the event of an uncommanded operation; this AD requires repetitive replacements within specified intervals. If operators replace the switch using another method, they may ask for approval of an AMOC if they also submit data that justify a different method and provide an adequate level of safety. We have not changed the AD in this regard.

Request for Determination of Reliability

FedEx questions whether cargo toggle switch part number (P/N) 8837K2 or P/N MS25307-272, which is specified in paragraphs 2.C.2. of

Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-52-0090, dated September 21, 2007, paragraphs 2.C.2., is more reliable.

We infer that the commenter would like us to permit installation of

P/N 8837K2 so that it is not necessary for an operator to request approval of an AMOC in order to install P/N 8837K2. We disagree. The operator did not provide justification that P/N 8837K2 provides an equivalent level of safety. However, according to the provisions of paragraph (g) of the final rule, we may approve a request to allow a different compliance method if the request includes data that prove that the new method would provide an acceptable level of safety.

Request for Credit

Continental Airlines requests that we revise the NPRM to provide credit for accomplishment of the AD when replacement of the affected cargo door switches is incorporated into a carrier's routine maintenance program. The commenter notes that its replacement schedule coincides with that specified in the NPRM.

We acknowledge the commenter's request. A replacement done in accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-52-2286, dated September 28, 2007; or 757-52-0090, dated September 21, 2007; as applicable; before the effective date of this AD is acceptable for compliance with the AD, as indicated by the phrase ``unless already done'' in paragraph (e) of this AD. However, the commenter does not identify the service information used in the routine maintenance program to do the replacement.

If actions done previously align with the applicable Boeing service bulletin, the operator will be given credit. In addition, we may approve a request for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) for replacement of the control switches if the request includes data that prove that the new method would provide an acceptable level of safety.

We have not changed the AD in this regard.

Explanation of Change to NPRM

We have changed the phrase ``6 years'' to 72 months in paragraph

(f) of this AD to provide a time frame that specifies the compliance with greater detail.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the change described previously. We also determined that the change will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 765 airplanes of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it takes about 2 to 3 work-hours per product to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour.

Required parts cost about $130 to $195 per airplane. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to U.S. operators to be up to

$332,775, or between $290 and $435 per product.

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

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), 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.

You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of compliance in the AD Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment 0

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 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] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD: 2009-22-08 Boeing: Amendment 39-16059. Docket No. FAA-2008-1326;

Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-141-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 3, 2009.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Boeing 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 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-52-2286, dated September 28, 2007; and Boeing Model 757-200, - 200PF, and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-52-0090, dated September 21, 2007.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from reports of problems associated with the uncommanded operation of cargo doors. We are issuing this AD to prevent injuries to persons and damage to the airplane and equipment.

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Compliance

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

Replacement

(f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the control switches as specified in paragraph (f)(1) or

(f)(2) of this AD, as applicable. Repeat the replacements thereafter at intervals not to exceed 72 months.

(1) For Model 747 airplanes: Replace the control switches of the forward, aft, and nose cargo doors, in accordance with the

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service

Bulletin 747-52-2286, dated September 28, 2007.

(2) For Model 757 series airplanes: Replace the control switches of cargo doors 1 and 2, in accordance with the Accomplishment

Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-52- 0090, dated September 21, 2007.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(g)(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. Send information to

Attn: ATTN: Patrick Gillespie, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and

Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.

Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office.

The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(h) You must use Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747- 52-2286, dated September 28, 2007; or Boeing Special Attention

Service Bulletin 757-52-0090, dated September 21, 2007; as applicable; to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5

U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

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

Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,

P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1, fax 206-766-5680; e-mail me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.

(3) You may review copies of the 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 or 425-227-1152.

(4) You may also review copies of the 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ ibr_locations.html.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 19, 2009.

Ali Bahrami,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

FR Doc. E9-25666 Filed 10-28-09; 8:45 am

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