Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Service Bulletin 747–53–2485, dated January Initial and Repetitive Inspections for authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
8, 2004, at the later of the times specified in Cracking and Corrective Action requested using the procedures found in 14
paragraphs (h)(1)(i) and (h)(1)(ii) of this AD. (k) If, during any HFEC inspection required CFR 39.19.
(i) Within 72 months after the stop support by paragraph (h) or (i) of this AD, any fitting (2) AMOCs, approved previously per AD
fitting of MED 3 was replaced. is found not to be made of 7075–T73 or 98–26–13, amendment 39–10954, are
(ii) Within 18 months after the effective 7050–T7451 material, before further flight, approved as AMOCs with paragraph (f) or (g)
date of this AD. perform a detailed inspection for cracks of of this AD, as applicable. However, any stop
(2) If any stop support fitting, 2L through the fitting in accordance with the support fitting, 2L through 6L and 2R
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing through 6R, of MED 3 that was replaced is
6L and 2R through 6R, of MED 3, cannot be Special Attention Service Bulletin 747–53– still required to be inspected as required in
determined conclusively by reviewing 2485, dated January 8, 2004. paragraph (h) of this AD.
airplane maintenance records that the fitting (1) If no crack is detected, repeat the
was not replaced, within 18 months after the detailed inspection specified in paragraph (k) Material Incorporated by Reference
effective date of this AD, perform a one-time of this AD thereafter at intervals not to (n) You must use the service information
HFEC inspection to determine the material exceed 36 months or 2,000 flight cycles, that is specified in Table 1 of this AD to
type of the stop support fitting, in accordance whichever comes first. Doing the perform the actions that are required by this
with the Accomplishment Instructions of replacement specified in paragraph (k)(2) of AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
this AD ends the repetitive inspections for
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin (1) The Director of the Federal Register
the replaced fitting.
747–53–2485, dated January 8, 2004. approves the incorporation by reference of
(2) If any crack is detected, before further
(i) For airplanes having line numbers 831 flight, replace the fitting with a fitting made Boeing Service Bulletin 747–53–2358,
through 1301 inclusive: At the later of the of 7075–T73 or 7050–T7451 material in Revision 1, dated April 19, 2001; and Boeing
times specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) accordance with the Accomplishment Special Attention Service Bulletin 747–53–
of this AD, perform a one-time HFEC Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 2485, dated January 8, 2004; in accordance
inspection to determine the material type of Service Bulletin 747–53–2485, dated January with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
the stop support fittings of MED 3 in 8, 2004. No further action is required by this (2) The Director of the Federal Register
accordance with the Accomplishment AD for that fitting; however, paragraph (l) of previously approved the incorporation by
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention this AD still applies. reference of Boeing Service Bulletin 747–53–
Service Bulletin 747–53–2485, dated January 2358, dated August 26, 1993, as of January
Parts Installation
25, 1999 (63 FR 70316, December 21, 1998).
8, 2004. (l) As of the date specified in paragraph (3) To get copies of the service information,
(1) Before 72 months since the date of (l)(1) or (l)(2) of this AD, as applicable, no go to Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box
issuance of the original Airworthiness person shall install on any airplane a stop 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124–2207. To
Certificate or the date of issuance of the support fitting of the MEDs made from either view the AD docket, go to the Docket
original Export Certificate of Airworthiness. 7079–T651 or 7075–T651 material.
Management Facility, U.S. Department of
(2) Within 18 months after the effective (1) For airplanes having line numbers 1
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW.,
date of this AD. through 830 inclusive: As of January 25,
1999. room PL–401, Nassif Building, Washington,
No Further Action (2) For airplanes having line numbers 831 DC. To review copies of the service
through 1301 inclusive: As of the effective information, go to the National Archives and
(j) If, during any HFEC inspection required Records Administration (NARA). For
date of this AD.
by paragraph (h) or (i) of this AD, any fitting information on the availability of this
is found to be made of 7075–T73 or 7050– Alternative Methods of Compliance material at the NARA, call (202) 741–6030,
T7451 material, no further action is required (AMOCs) or go to http://www.archives.gov/
by this AD for that fitting; however, (m)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/
paragraph (l) of this AD still applies. Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the ibr_locations.html.
Boeing Service Bulletin 747–53–2358 .................................................................................................... Original ............... August 26, 1993.
Boeing Service Bulletin 747–53–2358 .................................................................................................... 1 ......................... April 19, 2001.
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747–53–2485 ....................................................................... Original ............... January 8, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 9, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an
2005. existing airworthiness directive (AD),
Jeffrey E. Duven, Federal Aviation Administration which applies to certain Boeing Model
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 747 airplanes. That AD currently
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 14 CFR Part 39 requires inspections to detect cracks in
[FR Doc. 05–9876 Filed 5–18–05; 8:45 am] the front spar pressure bulkhead chord,
[Docket No. FAA–2004–19538; Directorate
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P Identifier 2003–NM–99–AD; Amendment 39– and repair if necessary. This new AD
14098; AD 2005–10–21] requires repetitive high frequency eddy
current (HFEC) inspections of the body
RIN 2120–AA64 station (BS) 1000 bulkhead chord for
cracks, repetitive detailed inspections of
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing the bathtub fittings, if installed, for
Model 747 Airplanes cracks, and corrective action if
AGENCY: Federal Aviation necessary. Initiation of the new
Administration (FAA), Department of inspections ends the inspections of the
Transportation (DOT). existing AD. This AD also revises the
applicability of the existing AD to
ACTION: Final rule.
include additional airplanes. This AD is
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28804 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 96 / Thursday, May 19, 2005 / Rules and Regulations
prompted by reports of cracks in the BS 2004 (69 FR 64517), proposed to require same material, in some cases, as the
1000 bulkhead chord. We are issuing inspections to detect cracks in the front original fittings; and bathtub fittings
this AD to detect and correct fatigue spar pressure bulkhead chord, and must be removed for chord replacement,
cracks in the BS 1000 bulkhead chord, repair if necessary (the actions thereby allowing thorough inspections
which, if not repaired before they reach previously required by AD 90–09–09). of the fittings.
critical length, could result in the failure That action also proposed to require We disagree. Although the commenter
of the adjacent structure and skin and repetitive high frequency eddy current states otherwise, we have received
lead to in-flight depressurization of the inspections of the body station 1000 reports of cracked bathtub fittings. In
airplane. bulkhead chord for cracks, repetitive addition, the fact that the replacement
DATES: This AD becomes effective June detailed inspections of the bathtub fittings are of the same material as the
23, 2005. fittings, if installed, for cracks, and original fittings does not mean that the
The incorporation by reference of corrective action, if necessary. fittings should not be replaced.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– Moreover, replacing all fittings, not just
Comments
53A2471, dated March 27, 2003; and the damaged ones, is necessary in order
Boeing Service Bulletin 747–53–2064, We provided the public the to apply the 6,000-cycle post-
Revision 4, including Addendum, dated opportunity to participate in the modification threshold. Operators still
September 23, 1983; as listed in the development of this AD. We have have the option to replace only those
regulations; is approved by the Director considered the comments that have bathtub fittings with detected cracking,
of the Federal Register as of June 23, been submitted on the proposed AD. and to continue with the 3,000-cycle
2005. Request To Clarify Paragraph (h); inspection interval. No change to the
ADDRESSES: For service information Meaning of ‘‘All’’ Actions final rule is necessary in this regard.
identified in this AD, contact Boeing One commenter states that, as the Request To Revise Cost Estimate
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, proposed rule is currently written, One commenter, an airplane operator
Seattle, Washington 98124–2207. You operators would be required to replace having no technical objections, requests
can examine this information at the all bathtub fittings if cracks are found at that the cost estimate be recalculated to
National Archives and Records just one fitting. The operator points out include the work hours necessary for
Administration (NARA). For that the referenced service bulletin access and restoration. The commenter
information on the availability of this states that operators replace only the states that access and restoration can
material at NARA, call (202) 741–6030, items that are found to be cracked. require up to 24 work hours for each
or go to: http://www.archives.gov/ However, the commenter points out that airplane, and that such tasks do not
federal_register/ paragraph (h) of the proposed rule
code_of_federal_regulations/ occur frequently enough to warrant
specifies that the corrective action must leaving them out of the cost estimate.
ibr_locations.html. be taken by accomplishing ‘‘all’’ the
Docket: The AD docket contains the We disagree. In establishing the
actions specified in the accomplishment requirements of all ADs, we typically do
proposed AD, comments, and any final
instructions of the service bulletin. The not include incidental costs such as the
disposition. You can examine the AD
commenter states that a literal review time required to gain access and close
docket on the Internet at http://
and interpretation of paragraph (h) and up, planning time, or the time needed
dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket
the service bulletin could lead operators for other administrative actions.
Management Facility office between 9
to the conclusion that all four bathtub Because incidental costs may vary
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
fittings must be replaced if only one is significantly from operator to operator,
Friday, except Federal holidays. The
found to be cracked. they are almost impossible to calculate.
Docket Management Facility office We agree. The intent of the proposed
(telephone (800) 647–5227) is located on The work hours that are needed to
rule was not to require operators to accomplish the actions required by this
the plaza level of the Nassif Building at replace all fittings in the event that only
the U.S. Department of Transportation, AD represent the time necessary to
one is found cracked. However, it is perform only the actions actually
400 Seventh Street SW., room PL–401, important to note that the 6,000-cycle
Washington, DC. This docket number is required by this AD (that is, the
post-modification inspection threshold inspection). No change to the final rule
FAA–2004–19538; the directorate is valid only if the chord is replaced
identifier for this docket is 2003–NM– is necessary in this regard.
along with all bathtub fittings that
99–AD. correspond to the side of the airplane Explanation of Changes Made to the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nick (left or right) in which the chord was Proposed AD
Kusz, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe replaced. We have added a note to We have revised the subject heading
Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle paragraph (h) of this final rule and to identify model designations as
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind revised (k) of the final rule to reflect this published in the most recent type
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington change. We have re-numbered the notes certificate data sheet for the affected
98055–4056; telephone (425) 917–6432; in the final rule accordingly. models.
fax (425) 917–6590. Boeing has received a Delegation
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA Request To Remove Replacement Option Authorization (DOA). We have
proposed to amend part 39 of the Requirement revised paragraph (l) of the final rule to
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR One commenter requests that we delegate the authority to approve an
part 39) with an AD to supersede AD remove the requirement to replace the alternative method of compliance for
90–09–09, amendment 39–6586 (55 FR bathtub fittings in order to be eligible for any repair required by this AD to the
17928, April 30, 1990), for certain the 6,000-cycle post-modification Authorized Representative for the
Boeing Model 747 airplanes (a threshold after the chord replacement. Boeing DOA Organization.
correction of that AD was published in The commenter gives several reasons for We have also revised paragraph (i) of
the Federal Register on May 21, 1990 this request: There have been no reports the final rule to allow any crack in the
(55 FR 20894)). That action, published of cracked bathtub fittings; the subject area to be repaired according to
in the Federal Register on November 5, replacement bathtub fittings are the data that conform to the airplane’s type
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 96 / Thursday, May 19, 2005 / Rules and Regulations 28805
certificate and that are approved by an not have a substantial direct effect on bulkhead chord. We are issuing this AD to
Authorized Representative for the the States, on the relationship between detect and correct fatigue cracks in the BS
Boeing DOA Organization whom we the national government and the States, 1000 bulkhead chord, which, if not repaired
before they reach critical length, could result
have authorized to make such findings. or on the distribution of power and
in the failure of the adjacent structure and
responsibilities among the various skin and lead to in-flight depressurization of
Conclusion
levels of government. the airplane.
We have carefully reviewed the For the reasons discussed above, I
available data, including the comments certify that this AD: Compliance
that have been submitted, and (1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory (e) You are responsible for having the
determined that air safety and the action’’ under Executive Order 12866; actions required by this AD performed within
public interest require adopting the AD (2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the compliance times specified, unless the
with the changes described previously. DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures actions have already been done.
We have determined that these changes (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and Restatement of Requirements of AD 90–09–
will neither increase the economic (3) Will not have a significant 09
burden on any operator nor increase the economic impact, positive or negative, (f) For airplanes listed in Boeing Service
scope of the AD. on a substantial number of small entities Bulletin 747–53–2064, Revision 4, dated
under the criteria of the Regulatory September 23, 1983, that have not been
Costs of Compliance modified in accordance with Boeing Service
Flexibility Act.
There are about 1,350 Model 747 We prepared a regulatory evaluation Bulletin 747–53–2064, dated July 25, 1972:
series airplanes worldwide of the of the estimated costs to comply with Within the next 1,000 landings after October
affected design. This AD affects about 15, 1984 (the effective date of AD 84–18–06,
this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for amendment 39–4912), or prior to the
245 airplanes of U.S. registry. a location to examine the regulatory accumulation of 10,000 landings, whichever
The actions that are required by AD evaluation. occurs later, and thereafter at intervals not to
90–09–09 and retained in this AD take exceed 7,000 landings, conduct a high
about 84 work hours per airplane, at an List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection of
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation the chord to detect cracks between stringers
We estimate 102 airplanes of U.S. safety, Incorporation by reference, S–37 and S–39 at the chord radius, heel, and
registry are affected by AD 90–09–09. Safety. flanges adjacent to the fastener holes
Based on these figures, the estimated identified for inspection in Boeing Service
cost of the currently required actions is Adoption of the Amendment Bulletin 747–53–2064, Revision 4, dated
September 23, 1983. If cracks are found in
$556,920, or $5,460 per airplane, per ■ Accordingly, under the authority the pressure bulkhead chord, accomplish the
inspection cycle. delegated to me by the Administrator, repair in accordance with the service bulletin
The new inspections take about 14 the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as before further flight. Repair of cracks along
work hours per airplane, at an average follows: the chord radius under 5 inches in length, or
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based across a chord flange that have not severed
on these figures, the estimated cost of PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS the chord flange, may be deferred 1,000
the new actions specified in this AD for DIRECTIVES landings by stop drilling and reinspecting for
U.S. operators is $222,950, or $910 per crack progression every 200 landings using
airplane, per inspection cycle. ■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 HFEC. If crack progression is found, repair in
continues to read as follows: accordance with the service bulletin prior to
Authority for This Rulemaking further flight. Inspections are to continue at
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. intervals not to exceed 7,000 landings after
Title 49 of the United States Code repair.
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue § 39.13 [Amended]
(g) For airplanes listed in Boeing Service
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, ■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by Bulletin 747–53–2064, Revision 4, dated
Section 106, describes the authority of removing amendment 39–6586 (55 FR September 23, 1983, that have been modified
the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, 17928, April 30, 1990), corrected at 55 in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin
Aviation Programs, describes in more FR 20894, May 21, 1990, and by adding 747–53–2064, dated July 25, 1972: Within the
detail the scope of the Agency’s the following new airworthiness next 1,000 landings after October 15, 1984, or
authority. directive (AD): prior to the accumulation of 10,000 landings
after the modification, whichever is later, and
We are issuing this rulemaking under 2005–10–21 Boeing: Amendment 39–14098. thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10,000
the authority described in Subtitle VII, Docket No. FAA–2004–19538; landings, conduct an HFEC inspection to
Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, Directorate Identifier 2003–NM–99–AD. detect cracks in the front spar pressure
‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that bulkhead lower chord heel from stringers S–
Effective Date
section, Congress charges the FAA with 37 to S–39, and conduct an ultrasonic
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in (a) This AD becomes effective June 23, inspection to detect cracks in the fuselage
air commerce by prescribing regulations 2005. skin originating at the indicated fastener
for practices, methods, and procedures Affected ADs holes beneath the forward drag splice fitting
the Administrator finds necessary for flanges, in accordance with the service
(b) This AD supersedes AD 90–09–09, bulletin. If any cracks are found, repair in
safety in air commerce. This regulation amendment 39–6586 (55 FR 20894, May 21, accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin
is within the scope of that authority 1990). 747–53–2064, Revision 4, dated September
because it addresses an unsafe condition 23, 1983, before further flight. Inspections are
Applicability
that is likely to exist or develop on to continue at intervals not to exceed 10,000
products identified in this rulemaking (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747 landings after repair.
series airplanes, line numbers 1 through 1307
action.
inclusive, 1309 through 1312 inclusive, and New Requirements of This AD
Regulatory Findings 1314; certificated in any category.
Initial Inspections
We have determined that this AD will Unsafe Condition (h) At the later of the times specified in
not have federalism implications under (d) This AD was prompted by reports of paragraph (h)(1), (h)(2), or (h)(3) of this AD:
Executive Order 13132. This AD will cracks in the body station (BS) 1000 Except as provided by paragraph (i) of this
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