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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10537-10540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04292]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-3986; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-147-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that a 
certain fastener type in the fuel tank walls has insufficient bond to 
the structure, and an electrical wiring short could cause arcing to 
occur at the ends of fasteners in the fuel tanks. This proposed AD 
would require the installation of new clamps and 
polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) sleeves on the wire bundles of the front 
spars and rear spars of the wings. This proposed AD would also require 
inspecting the existing TFE sleeves under the wire bundle clamps for 
correct installation, and replacement if necessary. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent potential ignition sources in the fuel tank in the 
event of a lightning strike or high-powered short circuit, and 
consequent fire or explosion.

[[Page 10538]]

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 15, 2016.

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 NPRM, 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 view this 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. It 
is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-3986.

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-2016-
3986; 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: Tung Tran, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6505; fax: 425-917-6590; email: Tung.Tran@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-2016-3986; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-147-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

    The manufacturer has determined that a certain fastener type in the 
fuel tank walls has insufficient bond to the structure, and an 
electrical wiring short could cause arcing to occur at the ends of 
fasteners in the fuel tanks. Potential ignition sources in the fuel 
tank in the event of a lightning strike or high-powered short circuit, 
if not corrected, could result in a fire or explosion.

Related Rulemaking

    On September 17, 2007, we issued AD 2007-20-01, Amendment 39-15211 
(72 FR 54533, September 26, 2007), applicable to certain The Boeing 
Company Model 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-
400, 747-400D, 747-400F, and 747SP series airplanes. That AD requires 
reconfiguring the clamps of certain wire bundles and applying 
insulating sealant to certain fasteners inside the fuel tanks using 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 1, 
dated July 10, 2006, on airplane line numbers 696 through 1363. 
Airplane line numbers 1364 through 1419 were changed during production. 
The actions required by AD 2007-20-01 are intended to prevent arcing 
inside the fuel tanks in the event of a lightning strike or high-
powered short circuit, which could result in a fuel tank explosion or 
fire.
    Since we issued AD 2007-20-01, Amendment 39-15211 (72 FR 54533, 
September 26, 2007), the FAA has determined that for certain The Boeing 
Company Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes, a 
certain fastener type in the fuel tank walls has insufficient bond to 
the structure and that an electrical wiring short could cause arcing to 
occur at the ends of fasteners in the fuel tanks. We determined that 
certain clamp locations need to be changed to prevent possible ignition 
sources in the fuel tanks. These clamps were not installed at these 
locations during production and were not identified in Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 747-57-2327, Revision 1, dated July 10, 
2006. Therefore, it is necessary to install new clamps and TFE sleeves 
at these additional locations on the wire bundles of the front spars 
and rear spars of the left and right wings.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-28-2324, 
Revision 1, dated July 27, 2015. The service information describes 
procedures for installing new clamps and TFE sleeves on the wire 
bundles of the front spars and rear spars of the wings. The service 
information also describes procedures for inspecting TFE sleeves under 
the wire bundle clamps that were installed using the procedures 
specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-28-2324, 
dated November 4, 2014, for correct installation, and replacing them if 
necessary. 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.

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.

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 135 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

[[Page 10539]]

                                                 Estimated costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                Cost on U.S.
            Action                  Labor cost       Parts cost       Cost per product           operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation of wire bundle     Up to 7 work-                $138  Up to $733............  Up to $98,955.
 clamps.                         hours x $85 per
                                 hour = $595.
Inspection....................  Up to 5 work-                  $0  Up to $425............  Up to $57,375.
                                 hours x $85 per
                                 hour = $425.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this proposed 
AD.

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

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2016-3986; Directorate Identifier 
2015-NM-147-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 15, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400D, 
and 747-400F series airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-28-2324, 
Revision 1, dated July 27, 2015.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a determination that a certain fastener 
type in the fuel tank walls has insufficient bond to the structure, 
and an electrical wiring short could cause arcing to occur at the 
ends of fasteners in the fuel tanks. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent potential ignition sources in the fuel tank in the event of 
a lightning strike or high-powered short circuit, and consequent 
fire or explosion.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Installation/Inspection

    Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable.
    (1) For airplanes on which the modification specified in Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-28-2324, dated November 3, 
2014, has not been done as of the effective date of this AD: Install 
new clamps and polytetrafluoroethylene (TFE) sleeves on the wire 
bundles of the front spars and rear spars of the wings, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 747-28-2324, Revision 1, dated July 27, 
2015.
    (2) For airplanes on which the modification specified in Boeing 
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-28-2324, dated November 3, 
2014, has been done as of the effective date of this AD: Do a 
detailed inspection of the TFE sleeves under the wire bundle clamps 
for correct installation, and replace the sleeves if not correctly 
installed, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-28-2324, Revision 1, 
dated July 27, 2015.

(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 paragraph (i)(1) 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, alteration, or modification 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, to make those findings. For a repair method 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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Tung Tran, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6505; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
Tung.Tran@faa.gov.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services

[[Page 10540]]

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 view this 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 February 19, 2016.
Dorr M. Anderson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04292 Filed 2-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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