73908 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 239 / Wednesday, December 12, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 

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 to the extent that it justifies 

making a regulatory distinction; 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. 

We prepared an economic evaluation 

of the estimated costs to comply with 

this AD and placed it 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 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

2012–23–02 Agusta S.p.A.: Amendment 39– 

17258; Docket No. FAA–2012–0501; 

Directorate Identifier 2009–SW–083–AD. 

(a) Applicability 

This AD applies to Model A109E 

helicopters, up to and including serial 

number (S/N) 11694, except 11633 and 

11634; and Model A109S helicopters, up to 

and including S/N 22034, except S/N 22026 

and 22033; with lower semichannel 

assemblies, part number (P/N) 109–0641–10– 

213 or 109–0642–01–171, installed; 

certificated in any category. 

Note to paragraph (a) of this AD: The 

lower semichannel assemblies are subcomponents of the forward firewall assembly. 

(b) Unsafe Condition 

This AD defines the unsafe condition as 

missing spacer rivets, which could allow the 

metallic spacers to rotate and lead to damage 

and failure of the main drive shaft, and 

subsequent loss of control of the helicopter. 

(c) Effective Date 

This AD becomes effective January 16, 

2013. 

(d) Compliance 

You are responsible for performing each 

action required by this AD within the 

specified compliance time unless it has 

already been accomplished prior to that time. 

(e) Required Actions 

Within 50 hours time-in-service: 

(1) Inspect the left-side and right-side 

lower semichannel assemblies by referring to 

Figures 1 and 2, and in accordance with 

Paragraph 3. of the Compliance Instructions 

in the Agusta Bollettino Tecnico (BT) No. 

109EP–79 for the Model A109E helicopter, or 

BT No. 109S–15 for the Model A109S 

helicopter, both dated July 12, 2007, to 

determine if metallic spacers, P/N 109–0642– 

01–195, are installed. If metallic spacers are 

not installed, no further actions are required. 

(2) For each semichannel assembly with a 

metallic spacer, remove the semichannel 

assembly from the helicopter firewall and 

note whether it is the left-side or right-side 

semichannel assembly. 

(3) Inspect each removed semichannel 

assembly and determine whether there is a 

fixing rivet, P/N MS20427M3–5, 

MS20426T3–5, or A298A04TW02, installed 

that holds the spacer to the lower 

semichannel assembly and whether the 

gasket is properly seated. 

(4) For each semichannel assembly without 

a fixing rivet on each side of the lower 

semichannel assembly or those where the 

gasket is improperly seated, separate the 

lower semichannel from the upper 

semichannel, noting the orientation of each 

spacer and gasket. Modify the lower 

semichannel assembly by installing a fixing 

rivet on each side of the lower semichannel 

assembly, and reattaching the lower and 

upper semichannel assemblies in accordance 

with paragraphs 4.2 through 4.7 of the 

appropriate BT for your model helicopter. 

Paragraph 4.2 of the BT states ‘‘remove the 

fixing rivets’’; this AD changes that provision 

to ‘‘remove the screws, P/N MS27039–08– 

05.’’ 

(5) Inspect each main drive shaft for a nick, 

a scratch, or other damage in the 

semichannel area. If a nick, a scratch, or 

other damage is found that exceeds those 

allowable damage tolerances in the 

maintenance manual, replace the main drive 

shaft with an airworthy main drive shaft. 

(f) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, Safety Management 

Group, FAA, may approve AMOCs for this 

AD. Send your proposal to: Jim Grigg, 

Manager, Safety Management Group, 

Rotorcraft Directorate, FAA, 2601 Meacham 

Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76137; telephone 

(817) 222–5110; email jim.grigg@faa.gov. 

(2) For operations conducted under a 14 

CFR part 119 operating certificate or under 

14 CFR part 91, subpart K, we suggest that 

you notify your principal inspector, or 

lacking a principal inspector, the manager of 

the local flight standards district office or 

certificate holding district office, before 

operating any aircraft complying with this 

AD through an AMOC. 

(g) Additional Information 

The subject of this AD is addressed in the 

European Aviation Safety Agency Emergency 

AD No. 2007–0192–E, dated July 13, 2007 

(h) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 7100, powerplant system. 

(i) 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) Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No. 109EP– 

79, dated July 12, 2007. 

(ii) Agusta Bollettino Tecnico No. 109S–15, 

dated July 12, 2007. 

(3) For Agusta S.p.A. service information 

identified in this AD, contact Agusta 

Westland, Customer Support & Services, Via 

Per Tornavento 15, 21019 Somma Lombardo 

(VA) Italy, ATTN: Giovanni Cecchelli; 

telephone 39–0331–711133; fax 39 0331 

711180; or at http:// 

www.agustawestland.com/technicalbullettins. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, 

Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 

Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110. 

(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/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on November 

6, 2012. 

Kim Smith, 

Directorate Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–28432 Filed 12–11–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0678; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–285–AD; Amendment 

39–17280; AD 2012–24–10] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with 
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 239 / Wednesday, December 12, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 73909 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

The Boeing Company Model 747–400 

and –400F series airplanes. This AD was 

prompted by multiple reports of 

integrated display unit (IDU) 

malfunctions and mode control panel 

(MCP) malfunctions. This AD requires 

installing new software, replacing the 

duct assembly with a new duct 

assembly, making wiring changes, and 

routing certain wire bundles. We are 

issuing this AD to prevent IDU 

malfunctions, which could affect the 

ability of the flightcrew to read primary 

displays for airplane attitude, altitude, 

or airspeed, and consequently reduce 

the ability of the flightcrew to maintain 

control of the airplane. 

DATES: This AD is effective January 16, 

2013. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in the AD 

as of January 16, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this AD, contact Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data 

& Services Management, P. O. Box 3707, 

MC 2H–65, Seattle, WA 98124–2207; 

telephone 206–544–5000, extension 1; 

fax 206–766–5680; 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, WA. 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 AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The address for the 

Docket Office (phone: 800–647–5527) is 

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: Ana 

Martinez Hueto, Aerospace Engineer, 

Cabin Safety and Environmental 

Systems Branch, ANM–150S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 

(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

WA 98057–3356; phone: 425–917–6592; 

fax: 425–917–6591; email: 

ana.m.hueto@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an AD that would 

apply to the specified products. That 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on July 11, 2012 (77 FR 40832). 

That NPRM proposed to require 

installing new software, replacing the 

duct assembly with a new duct 

assembly, making wiring changes, and 

routing certain wire bundles. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. The 

following presents the comments 

received on the proposal (77 FR 40832, 

July 11, 2012), and the FAA’s response 

to each comment. 

Request To Use Unissued Service 

Information 

Boeing requested that we refer to 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– 

21A2523, Revision 2, which has not 

been issued, instead of Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–21A2523, Revision 

1, dated October 3, 2011, as the 

appropriate source of service 

information in the NPRM (77 FR 40832, 

July 11, 2012). Boeing stated that Boeing 

Alert Service Bulletin 747–21A2523, 

Revision 2, describes additional wire 

changes for Model 747–400 airplanes, 

and that one additional airplane is 

added to the effectivity of that service 

bulletin. 

We disagree to refer to Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–21A2523, Revision 

2, in this AD. That service bulletin has 

not been issued. Referring to a 

document that has not been issued 

violates the Federal Register regulations 

for materials incorporated by reference 

rules. See 1 CFR 51.1(f). We do not 

consider that delaying this action until 

after the release of a planned service 

bulletin is warranted. Additionally, 

increasing the AD applicability would 

require issuing a supplemental NPRM 

for public comment. We find that 

delaying this action would be 

inappropriate in light of the identified 

unsafe condition. Once Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–21A2523, Revision 

2, is issued and we have reviewed that 

service bulletin, we might consider 

further AD rulemaking. We have not 

changed this final rule regarding this 

issue. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comment received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

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 (77 FR 

40832, July 11, 2012) for correcting the 

unsafe condition; and 

• Do not add any additional burden 

upon the public than was already 

proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 40832, 

July 11, 2012). 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this AD affects 33 

airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Duct assembly and replacement wiring 

changes.

41 work-hours × $85 per hour = $3,485 ........ $20,121 $23,606 $778,998 

Software change ............................................. 3 work-hours × $85 per hour = $255 ............. 0 255 8,415 

According to the manufacturer, some 

of the costs of this 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, 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with 
73910 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 239 / Wednesday, December 12, 2012 / Rules and Regulations 

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), 

(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. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

2012–24–10 The Boeing Company: 

Amendment 39–17280; Docket No. 

FAA–2012–0678; Directorate Identifier 

2011–NM–285–AD. 

(a) Effective Date 

This AD is effective January 16, 2013. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

Model 747–400 and –400F series airplanes, 

certificated in any category, as identified in 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–21A2523, 

Revision 1, dated October 3, 2011. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 21, Air Conditioning. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by multiple reports 

of integrated display unit (IDU) malfunctions 

and mode control panel (MCP) malfunctions. 

We are issuing this AD to prevent IDU 

malfunctions, which could affect the ability 

of the flightcrew to read primary displays for 

airplane attitude, altitude, or airspeed, and 

consequently reduce the ability of the 

flightcrew to maintain control of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Software Update 

Within 12 months after the effective date 

of this AD: Install integrated display system 

software, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–21A2523, Revision 1, 

dated October 3, 2011. 

Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: Boeing 

Alert Service Bulletin 747–21A2523, 

Revision 1, dated October 3, 2011, refers to 

the service bulletins specified in paragraphs 

(g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD as 

additional sources of guidance for the 

software installation specified by paragraph 

(g) of this AD, which are not incorporated by 

reference in this AD. 

(1) Boeing Service Bulletin 747–31–2426, 

dated July 29, 2010 (for airplanes with RollsRoyce engines). 

(2) Boeing Service Bulletin 747–31–2427, 

dated July 29, 2010 (for airplanes with 

General Electric engines). 

(3) Boeing Service Bulletin 747–31–2428, 

dated July 29, 2010 (for airplanes with Pratt 

& Whitney engines). 

(h) Duct Assembly Replacement and Wiring 

Changes 

Within 60 months after the effective date 

of this AD: Replace the duct assembly with 

a new duct assembly, do wiring changes, and 

route certain wire bundles, in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions of 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–21A2523, 

Revision 1, dated October 3, 2011. 

(i) 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 emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-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. 

(j) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Ana Martinez Hueto, Aerospace 

Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental 

Systems Branch, ANM–150S, FAA, Seattle 

Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; 

phone: 425–917–6592; fax: 425–917–6591; 

email: ana.m.hueto@faa.gov. 

(2) For Boeing service information 

identified in this AD, contact Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & 

Services Management, P. O. Box 3707, MC 

2H–65, Seattle, WA 98124–2207; telephone 

206–544–5000, extension 1; fax 206–766– 

5680; Internet https:// 

www.myboeingfleet.com. 

(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– 

21A2523, Revision 1, dated October 3, 2011. 

(ii) Reserved. 

(3) For Boeing service information 

identified in this AD, contact Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & 

Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 

2H–65, Seattle, WA 98124–2207; telephone 

206–544–5000, extension 1; fax 206–766– 

5680; Internet https:// 

www.myboeingfleet.com. 

(4) You may view this service information 

at FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on 

November 30, 2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–29707 Filed 12–11–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with