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 Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration 14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-2408; Project Identifier AD-2024-00362-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
 ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
 SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400F, 747-8F, and 747-8 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that, during potable water servicing, there were multiple engine indicating and crew alerting system messages. The cause was the separation of a fitting and steel water supply tube above an electronics equipment cooling air filter, behind the forward cargo compartment left sidewall. This proposed AD would require, depending on configuration, installing at certain locations: conduits on exposed potable water supply lines, envelope assemblies over all exposed potable water line fittings and exposed potable water supply lines, a slitted spray shield, a 2-piece deflector shield around the equipment cooling system air inlet, and/or a shroud on exposed potable water supply lines. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
 DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 27, 2024.
 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 
                        *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. *AD Docket:*
                         You may examine the AD docket at 
                        *regulations.gov*
                         under Docket No. FAA-2024-2408; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. *Material Incorporated by Reference:* For the Boeing material identified in this proposed AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; website*myboeingfleet.com*.
                    You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at*regulations.gov*
                         under Docket No. FAA-2024-2408.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney Tuck, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3986; email: 
                        *Courtney.K.Tuck@faa.gov.*


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited The FAA invites 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-2024-2408; Project Identifier AD-2024-00362-T” at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments. Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
                    *regulations.gov*, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM. Confidential Business Information CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as “PROPIN.” The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Courtney Tuck, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3986; email: 
                    *Courtney.K.Tuck@faa.gov.*
                     Any commentary that the FAA receives that is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking. Background The FAA has received a report indicating that during potable water servicing on a Model 777 freighter airplane, there were multiple engine indicating and crew alerting system messages. The cause was the separation of a fitting and steel water supply tube above an electronics equipment cooling air filter, behind the forward cargo compartment left sidewall. Water from the soaked filter was subsequently sprayed by the equipment cooling system onto multiple line replaceable units in the main electronics center. Due to similar designs to the Model 777 freighter airplanes, Boeing developed a precautionary solution for Model 747-400, 747-400F, 747-8F, and 747-8 airplane configurations having potable water supply lines and connections near 
                    ( print page 88907)
                    the equipment cooling supply (ECS) air inlet. The solution includes installing shrouding around the potable water lines and conduits near the ECS air equipment the electrical equipment cooling duct to collect any water leaks and allow collected water to flow gravitationally away and at a safe distance from the ECS air inlet and the electronic equipment cooling duct to the floor of the airplane, preventing water leaks into the main electronics center. This condition, if not addressed, could result in an adverse impact on the function of multiple electronics and line replaceable units (LRUs) in the equipment bay racks that are essential for safe flight, which can lead to the loss of continued safe flight and landing. FAA's Determination The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51 The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-38A2146 RB, dated August 7, 2024. This material specifies procedures for, depending on configuration, installing: conduits on exposed potable water supply lines between station (STA) 580 and STA 650, between STA 575 and STA 650, or between STA 595 and STA 650, as applicable; envelope assemblies over all exposed potable water line fittings and exposed potable water supply lines between STA 650 and STA 660, between STA 640 and STA 660, between STA 570 and STA 580, between STA 570 and STA 580 and between STA 650 and STA 660, between STA 580 and STA 600 and between STA 650 and STA 660, or between STA 580 and STA 600, as applicable; a slitted spray shield; a 2-piece deflector shield around the ECS air inlet STA 610; a spray shield; and/or a shroud on exposed potable water supply line between STA 550 and STA 680. This material 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. Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in the material already described, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this material at 
                    *regulations.gov*
                     under Docket No. FAA-2024-2408. Costs of Compliance The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 178 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD: Estimated Costs
Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per
                             product
Cost on U.S.
                             operatorsInstallations
Up to 22 work-hours × $85 per hour = Up to $1,870
Up to $4,980
Up to $6,850
Up to $1,219,300.
 The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of this proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators. 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. The FAA is 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 The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and (3) Would 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. § 39.13
 2.The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: **The Boeing Company:**
                         Docket No. FAA-2024-2408; Project Identifier AD-2024-00362-T. (a) Comments Due Date The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by December 27, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400F, 747-8F, and 747-8 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-38A2146 RB, dated August 7, 2024. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 38, Water/waste.
                        ( print page 88908) (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report that, during potable water servicing, there were multiple engine indicating and crew alerting system messages. The cause was the separation of a fitting and steel water supply tube above an electronics equipment cooling air filter, behind the forward cargo compartment left sidewall. The FAA is issuing this AD to address water leaks into the main electronics center. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in an adverse impact on the function of multiple electronics and line replaceable units (LRUs) in the equipment bay racks that are essential for safe flight, which can lead to the loss of continued safe flight and landing. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in the “Compliance” paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-38A2146 RB, dated August 7, 2024, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-38A2146 RB, dated August 7, 2024. Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-38A2146, dated August 7, 2024, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-38A2146 RB, dated August 7, 2024. (h) Exception to Requirements Bulletin Specifications Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the “Compliance” paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-38A2146 RB, dated August 7, 2024, refer to the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747-38A2146 RB, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 
                        *AMOC@faa.gov.* (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, to make those findings. 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. (j) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Courtney Tuck, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3986; email: 
                        *Courtney.K.Tuck@faa.gov.* (2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (k)(3) this AD. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-38A2146 RB, dated August 7, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For Boeing material identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; website 
                        *myboeingfleet.com.* (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit 
                        *www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations*
                         or email 
                        *fr.inspection@nara.gov.* Issued on November 5, 2024. Peter A. White, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service.


[FR Doc. 2024-26128 Filed 11-8-24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P