Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 60 / Thursday, March 29, 2007 / Proposed Rules 14719 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2007–27712; Directorate 

Identifier 2006–NM–233–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing 

Model 747 Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to 

supersede an existing airworthiness 

directive (AD) that applies to certain 

Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. The 

existing AD requires a one-time 

inspection of the potable water and 

drain lines in the cargo compartments 

for indications of overheating of the 

heater tape, exposed foam insulation, 

missing or damaged protective tape, or 

debris around the potable water fill and 

drain lines; and corrective action, if 

necessary. This proposed AD would 

require that the inspection of the water 

and drain lines be repetitively 

performed, using new service 

information, until new ribbon heaters 

are installed, which would terminate 

the repetitive inspections. This AD 

would also remove certain airplanes 

from the applicability. This proposed 

AD results from a report of a fire in the 

aft cargo compartment started by a 

potable water line heater tape. We are 

proposing this AD to prevent 

overheating of the heater tape on 

potable water fill and drain lines, which 

could ignite accumulated debris or 

contaminants on or near the potable 

water fill and drain lines, resulting in a 

fire in the airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by May 14, 2007. 

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following 

addresses to submit comments on this 

proposed AD. 

• DOT Docket Web site: Go to 

http://dms.dot.gov and follow the 

instructions for sending your comments 

electronically. 

• Government-wide rulemaking Web 

site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov 

and follow the instructions for sending 

your comments electronically. 

• Mail: Docket Management Facility; 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 

Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 

room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on 

the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 

400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, 

DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

Contact Boeing Commercial 

Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 

Washington 98124–2207, for service 

information identified in this proposed 

AD. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Don 

Eiford, 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) 917–6465; 

fax (425) 917–6590. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to submit any relevant 

written data, views, or arguments 

regarding this proposed AD. Send your 

comments to an address listed in the 

ADDRESSES section. Include the docket 

number ‘‘Docket No. FAA–2007–27712; 

Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–233–

AD’’ at the beginning of your comments. 

We specifically invite comments on the 

overall regulatory, economic, 

environmental, and energy aspects of 

the proposed AD. We will consider all 

comments received by the closing date 

and may amend the proposed AD in 

light of those comments. 

We will post all comments we 

receive, without change, to http:// 

dms.dot.gov, including any personal 

information you provide. We will also 

post a report summarizing each 

substantive verbal contact with FAA 

personnel concerning this proposed AD. 

Using the search function of that Web 

site, anyone can find and read the 

comments in any of our dockets, 

including the name of the individual 

who sent the comment (or signed the 

comment on behalf of an association, 

business, labor union, etc.). You may 

review the DOT’s complete Privacy Act 

Statement in the Federal Register 

published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 

19477–78), you can visit http:// 

dms.dot.gov. 

Examining the Docket 

You may examine the AD docket on 

the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in 

person at the Docket Management 

Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 

p.m., Monday through Friday, except 

Federal holidays. The Docket 

Management Facility office (telephone 

(800) 647–5227) is located on the plaza 

level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 

street address stated in the ADDRESSES

section. Comments will be available in 

the AD docket shortly after the Docket 

Management System receives them. 

Discussion 

On April 20, 2004, we issued AD 

2004–09–10, amendment 39–13599 (69 

FR 23647, April 30, 2004), for certain 

Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. That 

AD requires a one-time inspection of the 

potable water and drain lines in the 

forward and aft cargo compartments for 

indications of overheating of the heater 

tape, exposed foam insulation, missing 

or damaged protective tape, or debris 

around the potable water fill and drain 

lines; and corrective action, if necessary. 

That AD resulted from a report of a fire 

in the aft cargo compartment of a Boeing 

Model 767 series airplane due to heater 

tape on a water fill line overheating and 

igniting debris accumulated on or near 

the heater tape. Model 747 series 

airplanes have a configuration similar to 

that of the Model 767 and, under similar 

conditions, are subject to the same 

unsafe condition. We issued that AD to 

prevent overheating of the heater tape 

on potable water fill and drain lines, 

which could ignite accumulated debris 

or contaminants on or near the potable 

water fill and drain lines, and result in 

a fire in the airplane. 

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued 

The preamble to AD 2004–09–10 

explains that we considered the 

requirements ‘‘interim action’’ and were 

considering further rulemaking. We now 

have determined that further 

rulemaking is indeed necessary, and 

this proposed AD follows from that 

determination. 

Relevant Service Information 

We have reviewed Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–30A2080, Revision 

2, dated September 14, 2006. The 

service bulletin describes procedures for 

the following actions: 

• Repetitive inspections of the 

potable water supply and gray water 

drain lines for foreign object debris 

(FOD) and contamination; 

• Removal of FOD and contamination 

on, near, or around the potable water 

supply and gray water drain lines; 

• Repetitive inspections of the heater 

tape on the potable water supply and 

gray water drain lines for heat damage, 

exposed foam insulation, and missing/ 

damaged protective tape; 

• Replacement of all damaged heater 

tape; 

• Covering of the exposed foam 

insulation with protective tape; 

• Replacement of all missing or 

damaged protective tape; and 

• Eventual replacement of the potable 

water supply and gray water drain line 

heater tape with new ribbon heaters, 

which eliminates the need for the 

repetitive inspections. 


pwalker on PROD1PC71 with PROPOSALS
14720 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 60 / Thursday, March 29, 2007 / Proposed Rules 

Accomplishing the actions specified 

in the service information is intended to 

adequately address the unsafe 

condition. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of the Proposed AD 

We have evaluated all pertinent 

information and identified an unsafe 

condition that is likely to develop on 

other airplanes of the same type design. 

For this reason, we are proposing this 

AD, which would supersede AD 2004–

09–10. This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–

30A2080, Revision 2, dated September 

14, 2006, described previously. 

Costs of Compliance 

There are about 1,114 airplanes of the 

affected design in the worldwide fleet. 

The following table provides the 

estimated costs for U.S. operators to 

comply with this proposed AD, at an 

average labor rate of $80 per hour. The 

cost of parts is minimal. 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Group Work hours Cost per 

airplane 

Number of 

U.S.- 

registered 

airplanes 

Fleet cost 

by group 

Inspection (cost per inspection cycle) ......................................... 1 ............................. 3 $240 113 $27,120

2 (Config. 1) ........... 2 160 18 2,880 

2 (Config. 2) ........... 2 160 17 2,720 

3 ............................. 3 240 2 480 

4 ............................. 3 240 0 0 

5 ............................. 2 160 0 0 

Modification .................................................................................. 1 ............................. 48 3,840 113 433,920 

2 (Config. 1) ........... 7 560 18 10,080 

2 (Config. 2) ........... 15 1,200 17 20,400 

2 (Config. 3) ........... 8 640 17 10,880 

3 ............................. 60 4,800 2 9,600 

4 ............................. 61 4,880 0 0 

5 ............................. 27 2,160 0 0 

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 have 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 that the 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); 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. 

We prepared a regulatory evaluation 

of the estimated costs to comply with 

this proposed AD and placed it in the 

AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section 

for a location to examine the regulatory 

evaluation. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, 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 

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 Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13 

by removing amendment 39–13599 (69 

FR 23647, April 30, 2004) and adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

Boeing: Docket No. FAA–2007–27712; 

Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–233–AD. 

Comments Due Date 

(a) The FAA must receive comments on 

this AD action by May 14, 2007. 

Affected ADs 

(b) This AD supersedes AD 2004–09–10. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747 

airplanes, certificated in any category, as 

identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

747–30A2080, Revision 2, dated September 

14, 2006. 

Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a cargo 

area that is not fully enclosed or not 

enclosed, as identified in Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–30A2080, Revision 2, 

dated September 14, 2006, is a floor without 

panels installed between all roller trays in 

the cargo compartment. 

Unsafe Condition 

(d) This AD results from a report of a fire 

in the aft cargo compartment started by a 

potable water line heater tape. We are issuing 

this AD to prevent overheating of the heater 

tape on potable water fill and drain lines, 

which could ignite accumulated debris or 

contaminants on or near the potable water fill 

and drain lines, resulting in a fire in the 

airplane. 


pwalker on PROD1PC71 with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 60 / Thursday, March 29, 2007 / Proposed Rules 14721 

Compliance 

(e) You are responsible for having the 

actions required by this AD performed within 

the compliance times specified, unless the 

actions have already been done. 

Inspections 

(f) At the later of the times specified in 

paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD: Do the 

initial inspections specified in Table 1 of this 

AD in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

747–30A2080, Revision 2, dated September 

14, 2006. Correct any discrepancy before 

further flight in accordance with the service 

bulletin. Repeat the inspections at the 

applicable time specified in Table 1 of this 

AD. 

(1) Within 18 calendar months since the 

date of issuance of the original standard 

airworthiness certificate or within 18 

calendar months since the date of issuance of 

the original export certificate of 

airworthiness. 

(2) Within 90 calendar days after the 

effective date of this AD. 

TABLE 1.—INSPECTIONS

Do a general visual inspection of the forward 

and aft cargo compartments, as applicable, 

for—

And repeat the inspection at intervals not to 

exceed— Until—

Foreign object debris (FOD) or contamination 

on, near, or around the potable water supply 

and gray water drain lines.

600 flight hours ................................................ The heater tape replacement required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD is done. 

Indications of heat damage, exposed foam insulation, or missing or damaged protective 

tape of all heater tape on the potable water 

supply and gray water drain lines.

1,800 flight hours ............................................. The heater tape replacement required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD is done. 

Terminating Action 

(g) At the applicable time specified in 

Table 2 of this AD: Replace the heater tape 

on the potable water supply and gray water 

drain lines of the forward and aft cargo 

compartments, as applicable, with Adel 

Wiggins ribbon heaters. Do the actions in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

747–30A2080, Revision 2, dated September 

14, 2006. This replacement terminates the 

requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD. 

TABLE 2.—COMPLIANCE TIME FOR TERMINATING ACTION

For airplanes on which the heater tape has— Replace the heater tape at the later of—

(1) Not been replaced before the effective date 

of this AD in accordance with Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–30A2079, dated December 12, 2002; Revision 1, dated October 16, 

2003; or Revision 2, dated December 16, 

2004.

Within 42 months since the date of issuance 

of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original 

export certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs first.

24 months after the effective date of this AD. 

(2) Been replaced before the effective date of 

this AD in accordance with Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–30A2079, dated December 12, 2002; Revision 1, dated October 16, 

2003; or Revision 2, dated December 16, 

2004.

Within 42 months after the heater tape was 

replaced.

24 months after the effective date of this AD. 

Provisions for Previous Accomplished Work 

(h) Actions done before the effective date 

of this AD in accordance with Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–30A2080—either the 

original version dated December 16, 2004, or 

Revision 1, dated August 18, 2005—are 

acceptable for compliance with the 

corresponding requirements of this AD; 

except, for Group 2, Configuration 2 and 

Configuration 3 airplanes, as defined in 

Revision 2 of the service bulletin, additional 

work is required in the forward cargo 

compartment, as specified in Parts 1, 2, and 

3 of the service bulletin and required by this 

AD. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft 

Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to 

approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 

accordance with the procedures found in 14 

CFR 39.19. 

(2) Before using any AMOC approved in 

accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to 

which the AMOC applies, notify the 

appropriate principal inspector in the FAA 

Flight Standards Certificate Holding District 

Office. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 

20, 2007. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E7–5667 Filed 3–28–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2007–27713; Directorate 

Identifier 2006–NM–240–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier 

Model DHC–8–100, DHC–8–200, and 

DHC–8–300 Series Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for 

certain Bombardier Model DHC–8–100, 

DHC–8–200, and DHC–8–300 series 

airplanes. This proposed AD would 


pwalker on PROD1PC71 with PROPOSALS