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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 144 (Monday, July 28, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43611-43613]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17312]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0253; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-257-AD; 
Amendment 39-17908; AD 2014-15-06]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-300, 747-400, and 
747-400D series airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the 
design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the upper deck tension 
ties are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires 
repetitive inspections for cracking in the upper deck tension ties, and 
related investigative and corrective actions if necessary; tension tie 
replacement; and post-replacement repetitive inspections for cracking 
in the upper deck tension ties, and related investigative and 
corrective actions if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct fatigue cracking of the upper deck tension ties. Severed or 
disconnected tension ties at multiple locations could result in rapid 
decompression and loss of structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective September 2, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 2, 
2014.

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 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.

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-2014-
0253; 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 Docket 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: Nathan Weigand, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6428; fax: 
425-917-6590; email: nathan.p.weigand@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company 
Model 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D series 
airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 23, 2014 
(79 FR 22596). The NPRM was prompted by an evaluation by the DAH 
indicating that the upper deck tension ties are subject to WFD. The 
NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections for cracking in the 
upper deck tension ties, and related investigative and corrective 
actions if necessary; tension tie replacement; and post-replacement 
repetitive inspections for cracking in the upper deck tension ties, and 
related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the upper 
deck tension ties. Severed or disconnected tension ties at multiple 
locations could result in rapid decompression and loss of structural 
integrity of the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comment received. The Boeing Company 
supported the NPRM (79 FR 22596, April 23, 2014).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this 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 (79 FR 22596, April 23, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 22596, April 23, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 76 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections                        Up to 164 work-                  $0  Up to $13,940 per    Up to $1,059,440
 (pre[dash]modification and         hours x $85 per                      inspection cycle.    per inspection
 post[dash]modification).           hour = $13,940 per                                        cycle.
                                    inspection cycle.

[[Page 43612]]

 
Modification.....................  366 work-hours x                  0  $31,110............  $2,364,360.
                                    $85 per hour =
                                    $31,110.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    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

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):

2014-15-06 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17908; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0253; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-257-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 2, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100B SUD, 747-
200B, 747-300, 747-400, and 747-400D series airplanes, certificated 
in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2866, dated December 4, 2013.

 (d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval 
holder (DAH) indicating that the upper deck tension ties are subject 
to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). We are issuing this AD to detect 
and correct fatigue cracking of the upper deck tension ties. Severed 
or disconnected tension ties at multiple locations could result in 
rapid decompression and loss of structural integrity of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspections, Related Investigative Actions, and Corrective Actions

    For airplanes identified as Group 1, Configuration 2; and Group 
2; in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2866, dated December 4, 
2013: Before the accumulation of 10,000 flight cycles after 
conversion to special freighter or Boeing converted freighter 
configuration, or within 2,000 flight cycles after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, do the actions specified in 
paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, and do all applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2866, dated December 4, 2013, except as provided by paragraph (h) 
of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective 
actions before further flight. Repeat the inspection of the forward 
and aft tension tie channels thereafter at the applicable time and 
intervals specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2866, dated December 4, 2013.
    (1) At each tension tie station from 880 to 1100: Do a detailed 
inspection for cracks in the forward and aft tension tie channels.
    (2) At each tension tie station from 880 to 1100: Do a detailed 
inspection for cracks in the forward and aft tension tie channels, 
and do a surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection for 
cracks around fasteners in the tension tie channels.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

    If, during accomplishment of the related investigative action or 
inspections required by this AD, any cracking is found, and Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2866, dated December 4, 2013, 
specifies to contact Boeing for repair instructions: Before further 
flight, do the repair using a method approved in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD.

(i) Tension Tie Replacement

    After the accumulation of 13,000 total flight cycles; but before 
the accumulation of 22,000 flight cycles after conversion to special 
freighter or Boeing converted freighter configuration, or within 
2,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later: Do the tension tie replacement, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
53A2866, dated December 4, 2013, except as provided by paragraph (h) 
of this AD. Accomplishment of the actions required by this paragraph 
terminates the inspection requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) Post-tension Tie Replacement Inspections, Related Investigative 
Actions, and Corrective Actions

    After accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (i) of 
this AD: At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2866, dated 
December 4, 2013, do the actions specified in paragraph (j)(1) or 
(j)(2) of this AD; and do all applicable related investigative and 
corrective actions; in accordance with the Accomplishment

[[Page 43613]]

Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2866, dated 
December 4, 2013, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD. Do 
all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before 
further flight. Repeat the applicable inspection of the forward and 
aft tension tie channels thereafter at the applicable time and 
intervals specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2866, dated December 4, 2013.
    (1) At each tension tie station from 880 to 1100: Do a detailed 
inspection for cracks in the forward and aft tension tie channels.
    (2) At each tension tie station from 880 to 1100: Do a detailed 
inspection for cracks in the forward and aft tension tie channels, 
and do a surface HFEC inspection for cracks around fasteners in the 
tension tie channels.

(k) 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 (l)(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 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 must 
meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) If the service information contains steps that are labeled 
as RC (Required for Compliance), those steps must be done to comply 
with this AD; any steps that are not labeled as RC are recommended. 
Those steps that are not labeled as RC may be deviated from, done as 
part of other actions, or done using accepted methods different from 
those identified in the specified service information without 
obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the steps labeled as RC can 
be done and the airplane can be put back in a serviceable condition. 
Any substitutions or changes to steps labeled as RC require approval 
of an AMOC.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Nathan Weigand, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; 
phone: 425-917-6428; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
nathan.p.weigand@faa.gov.

(m) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2866, dated December 4, 
2013,
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may view this 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.
    (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/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 13, 2014.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-17312 Filed 7-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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