This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

21854 

Vol. 78, No. 71 

Friday, April 12, 2013 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2013–0303; Directorate 

Identifier 2012–NM–220–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing 

Company Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

The Boeing Company Model 747–400 

and –400F series airplanes. This 

proposed AD was prompted by a report 

of cracks on airplanes prior to line 

number 1308 in the forward and aft 

inner chords of the station (STA) 2598 

bulkhead, and the bulkhead upper and 

lower webs. This proposed AD would 

require, as applicable, repetitive high 

frequency eddy current (HFEC) and low 

frequency eddy current (LFEC) 

inspections for cracks in the splice 

fitting, support frame, forward and aft 

inner chords, floor support, bulkhead 

upper web on the upper left and right 

side of the bulkhead, and the bulkhead 

lower web on the lower left side of the 

bulkhead and repair if necessary; and 

repetitive post-repair inspections and 

repair if necessary. We are proposing 

this AD to detect and correct cracks in 

the splice fitting, support frame, floor 

support, forward and aft inner chords, 

and the bulkhead upper and lower webs 

of the body station, which could 

adversely affect the structural integrity 

of the airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by May 28, 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; 

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, 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; 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: 

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: 

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– 

2013–0303; Directorate Identifier 2012– 

NM–220–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 a report of cracks, on 

airplanes prior to line number 1308, in 

the forward and aft inner chords of the 

STA 2598 bulkhead, the bulkhead upper 

and lower webs near the inner chord to 

shear deck connection in the STA 2598 

bulkhead, the forward and aft inner 

chords and bulkhead upper web in the 

upper corners of the cutout for the 

horizontal stabilizer rear spar, and the 

aft inner chord and lower bulkhead web 

in the lower corner of the cutout for the 

horizontal stabilizer rear spar. On 

airplanes line numbers 1308 through 

1419, although there was a production 

change to the STA 2598 bulkhead, 

analysis showed that cracks could still 

occur in the structure. This condition, if 

not corrected, could adversely affect the 

structural integrity of the airplane. 

Relevant Service Information 

We reviewed Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–53A2815, dated November 

8, 2012. For information on the 

procedures and compliance times, see 

this service information at http:// 

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

Docket No. FAA–2013–0303. 

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 the same 

type design. 

Proposed AD Requirements 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information described 

previously, except as discussed under 

‘‘Differences Between the Proposed AD 

and the Service Information.’’ 

The phrase ‘‘related investigative 

actions’’ might be used in this proposed 

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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 71 / Friday, April 12, 2013 / Proposed Rules 21855 

AD. ‘‘Related investigative actions’’ are 

follow-on actions that: (1) Are related to 

the primary actions, and (2) 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. 

Differences Between the Proposed AD 

and the Service Information 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– 

53A2815, dated November 8, 2012, 

specifies to contact the manufacturer for 

instructions on how to repair certain 

conditions, but this proposed AD would 

require repairing those conditions in 

one of the following ways: 

• In accordance with a method that 

we approve; or 

• Using data that meet the 

certification basis of the airplane, and 

that have been approved by the Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes Organization 

Designation Authorization (ODA) whom 

we have authorized to make those 

findings. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 11 airplanes of U.S. registry. 

We estimate the following costs to 

comply with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Inspections ..................... 28 work-hours × $85 per hour = $2,380 per inspection cycle.$0 $2,380 per inspection 

cycle.

$26,180 per inspection 

cycle 

We estimate the following costs to do 

any necessary repairs and post-repair 

inspections that would be required 

based on the results of the proposed 

inspection. We have no way of 

determining the number of aircraft that 

might need this repair: 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Repair .............................................................................. 13 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,105 ........................ $0 $1,105 

Post-repair Inspection ..................................................... 12 work-hours × $85 per hour = $1,020 ........................ $0 $1,020 

For any repairs that would be necessary 

based on the results of the post-repair 

inspection, we have not received 

definitive data that would enable us to 

provide cost estimates for that oncondition action. 

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 

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 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 

2013–0303; Directorate Identifier 2012– 

NM–220–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by May 28, 

2013. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

Model 747–400 and –400F series airplanes, 

certificated in any category, as identified in 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–53A2815, 

dated November 8, 2012. 

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21856 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 71 / Friday, April 12, 2013 / Proposed Rules 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 53, Fuselage. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by a report of 

cracks on airplanes prior to line number 1308 

in the forward and aft inner chords of the 

station 2598 bulkhead, and the bulkhead 

upper and lower webs. We are issuing this 

AD to detect and correct cracks in the splice 

fitting, support frame, floor support, forward 

and aft inner chords, and the bulkhead upper 

and lower webs of the body station, which 

could adversely affect the structural integrity 

of the airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) High Frequency Eddy Current (HFEC) 

and Low Frequency Eddy Current (LFEC) 

Inspection 

At the compliance time specified in 

paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing 

Alert Service Bulletin 747–53A2815, dated 

November 8, 2012; except as provided by 

paragraph (h)(2) of this AD: Do HFEC and 

LFEC inspections, as applicable, for cracks in 

the splice fitting, support frame, floor 

support, forward and aft inner chords, the 

bulkhead upper web on the upper left and 

right side of the bulkhead, and the bulkhead 

lower web on the lower left side of the 

bulkhead, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–53A2815, dated 

November 8, 2012. 

(1) If no cracking is found, repeat the 

applicable inspections specified in paragraph 

(g) of this AD, thereafter at the applicable 

time specified in paragraph 1.E., 

‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–53A2815, dated November 8, 

2012. 

(2) If any cracking is found, do the actions 

specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (g)(2)(ii) 

of this AD. 

(i) Before further flight, do the applicable 

repair, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–53A2815, dated 

November 8, 2012; except as provided by 

paragraph (h)(1) of this AD. 

(ii) At the applicable time specified in 

paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing 

Alert Service Bulletin 747–53A2815, dated 

November 8, 2012, do an HFEC and LFEC 

inspections for cracks in the unrepaired 

structure, which includes splice fitting, 

support frame, aft and forward inner chord, 

and the bulkhead upper web; and do an 

HFEC inspection for cracks in the repaired 

structure, which is the bulkhead upper web; 

in accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

747–53A2815, dated November 8, 2012. 

(A) If no cracking is found, repeat the 

applicable HFEC and LFEC inspections 

specified in paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this AD, 

thereafter at the applicable time specified in 

paragraph 1.E., ‘‘Compliance,’’ of Boeing 

Alert Service Bulletin 747–53A2815, dated 

November 8, 2012. 

(B) If any cracking is found, before further 

flight, repair using a method approved in 

accordance with the procedures specified in 

paragraph (i) of this AD. 

(h) Exception to the Service Information 

(1) If any crack is found during any 

inspection required by this AD, and Boeing 

Alert Service Bulletin 747–53A2815, dated 

November 8, 2012, specifies to contact 

Boeing for appropriate action: Before further 

flight, repair the crack using a method 

approved in accordance with the procedures 

specified in paragraph (i) of this AD. 

(2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

747–53A2815, dated November 8, 2012, 

specifies a compliance time ‘‘after the 

original issue date of this service bulletin,’’ 

this AD requires compliance within the 

specified compliance time after the effective 

date of this AD. 

(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-ANMSeattle-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. 

(j) Related Information 

(1) 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. 

(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, 

WA. For information on the availability of 

this material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 

28, 2013. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2013–08610 Filed 4–11–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 71 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0971; Airspace 

Docket No. 12–ASO–31] 

RIN 2120–AA66 

Proposed Amendment of VOR Federal 

Airway V–537; GA 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Supplemental notice of 

proposed rulemaking (SNPRM); 

reopening of comment period. 

SUMMARY: This SNPRM amends a notice 

of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 

published on October 15, 2012 which 

proposed to amend VHF 

omnidirectional range (VOR) Federal 

airway V–537 in Georgia. This SNPRM 

proposes to remove an additional 

segment of the airway due to navigation 

aid coverage limitations. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before May 28, 2013. 

ADDRESSES: Send comments on this 

proposal to the U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West 

Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

Washington, DC 20590–0001; telephone: 

(202) 366–9826. You must identify FAA 

Docket No. FAA–2012–0971 and 

Airspace Docket No. 12–ASO–31 at the 

beginning of your comments. You may 

also submit comments through the 

Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul 

Gallant, Airspace Policy and ATC 

Procedures Group, Office of Airspace 

Services, Federal Aviation 

Administration, 800 Independence 

Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591; 

telephone: (202) 267–8783. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

Interested parties are invited to 

participate in this proposed rulemaking 

by submitting such written data, views, 

or arguments as they may desire. 

Comments that provide the factual basis 

supporting the views and suggestions 

presented are particularly helpful in 

developing reasoned regulatory 

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