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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 26 (Thursday, February 7, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8999-9001]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02717]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0089; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-166-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 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by reports of auxiliary power unit (APU) 
faults due to power feeder cable chafing. This proposed AD would 
require detailed inspections for damage of the APU power feeder cables; 
replacing the clamps and installing grommets; and related investigative 
and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect 
and correct chafing of the APU power feeder cables within a flammable 
fluid leakage zone, which, with arcing, could result in fire and 
structural damage.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 25, 2013.

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 proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207;

[[Page 9000]]

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, Washington. 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 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: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; 
phone: 425-917-6482; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
georgios.roussos@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-2013-0089; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-166-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

    We received reports of APU faults. Investigations showed that the 
power feeder cables on APU generator number 2 had damage from chafing 
at station 2638. The cables showed evidence of a hot short to the 
adjacent structure, which had damage from arcs. An investigation showed 
that the location and configuration of the existing clamps must be 
changed, and protective grommets must be installed on the structure to 
prevent possible chafing. Chafing and subsequent arcing occurred in a 
flammable leakage zone. This condition, if not corrected, could result 
in chafing of the APU power feeder cables within a flammable fluid 
leakage zone, which, with arcing, could result in fire and structural 
damage.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, 
dated May 2, 2012. For information on the procedures and compliance 
times, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for Docket No. FAA-2013-0089.

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 these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.
    The phrase ``related investigative actions'' might be used in this 
proposed AD. ``Related investigative actions'' are follow-on actions 
that: (1) Are related to the primary actions, and (2) are actions that 
further investigate the nature of any condition found. Related 
investigative actions in an AD could include, for example, inspections.
    In addition, the phrase ``corrective actions'' might be used in 
this proposed AD. ``Corrective actions'' are actions that correct or 
address any condition found. Corrective actions in an AD could include, 
for example, repairs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 55 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection, and clamp and grommet  6 work-hours x $85              $70  $580 per inspection  $31,900 per
 replacement.                       per hour = $510                      cycle.               inspection cycle.
                                    per inspection
                                    cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

    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

[[Page 9001]]

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-2013-0089; Directorate Identifier 
2012-NM-166-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 25, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 2012.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical Power.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of auxiliary power unit (APU) 
faults due to power feeder cable chafing. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct chafing of the APU power feeder cables within a 
flammable fluid leakage zone, which, with arcing, could result in 
fire and structural damage.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection, Related Investigative and Corrective Actions

    Except as required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, within the 
compliance time specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 
2012: Do a detailed inspection for damage (e.g., surface finish 
integrity, excessive wear or possible heat damage) of the APU power 
feeder cables within each wire bundle on the left and right of the 
bulkhead, and do all applicable related investigative and corrective 
actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 
2012; except as required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD. If no 
damage is found during this inspection, before further flight, 
replace the clamp(s) and install grommets, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 2012. Do all applicable related 
investigative and correction actions before further flight.

(h) Exceptions to the Service Information

    (1) If any damage is found during any inspection required by 
this AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, 
dated May 2, 2012, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate 
action: Before further flight, repair the damage using a method 
approved in accordance with paragraph (k) of this AD.
    (2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, 
dated May 2, 2012, specifies a compliance time after the date on the 
service bulletin, this AD requires compliance within the specified 
compliance time after the effective date of this AD.

(i) Parts Installation Limitation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install, on 
any airplane, any wiring support clamp, except for part number 
TA025097L16, in any area of the airplane, as specified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2360, Revision 1, dated May 2, 2012.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
24A2360, dated January 18, 2012, which is not incorporated by 
reference in this AD.

(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 the Related Information 
section 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.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Georgios 
Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6482; fax: 425-917-
6590; email: georgios.roussos@faa.gov.
    (2) 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, Washington. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 19, 2013.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 2013-02717 Filed 2-6-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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