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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 150 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46343-46346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19018]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0804; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-094-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 supersede an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD)

[[Page 46344]]

that applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 
747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 
747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes; and certain Model 757-200, 
-200PF, and -300 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires 
replacing the control switches of the forward, aft, and nose cargo 
doors for certain airplanes, and replacing the control switches of 
cargo doors 1 and 2 for certain airplanes. Since we issued that AD, we 
have determined that additional airplanes are affected by the 
identified unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require 
replacing the control switches of the forward, aft, and nose cargo 
doors of Model 747 airplanes; and the control switches of cargo doors 1 
and 2 of Model 757 airplanes; this proposed AD also adds airplanes to 
the applicability and revises the initial compliance times. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent injuries to persons and damage to the 
airplane and equipment.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 17, 
2012.

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, Washington 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 98057-3356. 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: Francis Smith, Aerospace Engineer, 
Cabin Safety & Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle 
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6457; fax: 425-917-6590; email: 
francis.smith@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0804; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-094-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

    On October 19, 2009, we issued AD 2009-22-08, Amendment 39-16059 
(74 FR 55763, October 29, 2009), for certain The Boeing Company Model 
747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 
747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes; and 
certain Model 757-200, -200PF, and -300 series airplanes. That AD 
requires replacing the control switches of the forward, aft, and nose 
cargo doors for certain airplanes, and replacing the control switches 
of cargo doors 1 and 2 for certain airplanes. That AD resulted from 
reports of problems associated with the uncommanded operation of cargo 
doors. We issued that AD to prevent injuries to persons and damage to 
the airplane and equipment.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2009-22-08, Amendment 39-16059 (74 FR 55763, 
October 29, 2009), we have determined that additional airplanes are 
affected by the identified unsafe condition.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-52-2286, 
Revision 1, dated October 28, 2010. This service bulletin describes 
procedures for replacing the control switches of the forward, aft, and 
nose cargo doors with new switches. This service bulletin also adds 
Group 3 airplanes, and also changes the compliance time for Groups 1 
and 2 airplanes.

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 retain all requirements of AD 2009-22-08, 
Amendment 39-16059 (74 FR 55763, October 29, 2009). This proposed AD 
would add Group 3 airplanes, as specified in Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 747-52-2286, Revision 1, dated October 28, 2010, and 
would change the compliance time for Groups 1 and 2 airplanes. This 
proposed AD would also require accomplishing the actions specified in 
the service information described previously.

Change to Existing AD

    This proposed AD would retain all requirements of AD 2009-22-08, 
Amendment 39-16059 (74 FR 55763, October 29, 2009). Since AD 2009-22-08 
was issued, the AD format has been revised, and certain paragraphs have 
been rearranged. As a result, the corresponding paragraph identifiers 
have changed in this proposed AD, as listed in the following table:

                      Revised Paragraph Identifiers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Requirement in AD 2009-22-08,
  Amendment 39[dash]16059  (74 FR     Corresponding  requirement in this
      55763, October 29, 2009)                   proposed AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
paragraph (f)                        paragraph (g)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 225 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

[[Page 46345]]

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             Cost per        Number of     Cost on U.S.
                     Action                                     Labor cost                  Parts cost        product        airplanes       operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement [retained from existing AD 2009-22-  Up to 5 work-hours x $85 per hour =                $195            $620             221        $137,020
 08, Amendment 39 16059 (74 FR 55763, October     $425.
 29, 2009)].
Replacement [new proposed action for added       5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $425.....             195             620               4           2,480
 airplanes].
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    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
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, 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),
    (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

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing airworthiness directive 
(AD) 2009-22-08, Amendment 39-16059 (74 FR 55763, October 29, 2009), 
and adding the following new AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-0804; Directorate Identifier 
2012-NM-094-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by September 17, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2009-22-08, Amendment 39-16059 (74 FR 
55763, October 29, 2009).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 
747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-
400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, certificated in 
any category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-52-2286, Revision 1, dated October 28, 2010; and Model 
757-200, -200PF, and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, as indentified in Boeing Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 757-52-0090, dated September 21, 2007.

 (d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of problems associated with the 
uncommanded operation of cargo doors. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent injuries to persons and damage to the airplane and 
equipment.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Replacement

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (f) of AD 
2009-22-08, Amendment 39-16059 (74 FR 55763, October 29, 2009), with 
revised compliance times and service information. Replace the 
control switches, as specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this 
AD, as applicable. Repeat the replacements thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 72 months.
    (1) For Groups 1 and 2 Model 747 airplanes as identified in 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-52-2286, Revision 1, 
dated October 28, 2010: Within 24 months after December 3, 2009 (the 
effective date of AD 2009-22-08, Amendment 39-16059 (74 FR 55763, 
October 29, 2009)), or within 72 months from the date of issuance of 
the original certificate of airworthiness or the original export 
certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs later, replace the 
control switches of the forward, aft, and nose cargo doors, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 747-52-2286, dated September 28, 2007; or 
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-52-2286, Revision 1, 
dated October 28, 2010. As of the effective date of this AD, use 
only Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-52-2286, Revision 
1, dated October 28, 2010, to do the actions specified in this 
paragraph.
    (2) For Model 757 series airplanes: Within 24 months after 
December 3, 2009 (the effective date of AD 2009-22-08, Amendment 39-
16059 (74 FR 55763, October 29, 2009)), replace the control switches 
of cargo doors 1 and 2, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-52-
0090, dated September 21, 2007.

(h) New Replacement

    For Group 3 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 747-52-2286, Revision 1, dated October 28, 2010: 
Within 72 months from the date of issuance of the original 
certificate of airworthiness or the original export certificate of 
airworthiness, or within 12

[[Page 46346]]

months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, 
replace the control switches of the forward, aft, and nose cargo 
doors, as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-52-
2286, Revision 1, dated October 28, 2010. Repeat the replacements 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 72 months.

(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-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) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2009-22-08, 
Amendment 39-16059 (74 FR 55763, October 29, 2009), are approved as 
AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Francis Smith, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety & Environmental Systems Branch, 
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6457; fax: 
425-917-6590; email: francis.smith@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, Washington 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 98057-3356. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 26, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-19018 Filed 8-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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