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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8568-8571]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02925]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0245; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-135-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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[[Page 8569]]

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-24-
10, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and -400F 
series airplanes. AD 2012-24-10 currently requires installing new 
software, replacing the duct assembly with a new duct assembly, making 
wiring changes, and routing certain wire bundles. Since we issued AD 
2012-24-10, we have received new reports of intermittent or blank 
displays of a certain integrated display unit (IDU) that were due to an 
intermittent false ground not addressed by the software installation or 
wiring changes required by AD 2012-24-10. This proposed AD would retain 
the requirements of AD 2012-24-10 and would require installing a new or 
serviceable pressure switch bracket and altitude pressure switch, and 
add an airplane to the applicability of the existing AD. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent IDU malfunctions, which could affect the 
ability of the flightcrew to read primary displays for airplane 
attitude, altitude, or airspeed, and consequently reduce the ability of 
the flightcrew to maintain control of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 6, 2015.

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 view this 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0245.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0245; 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: Ana Martinez Hueto, Aerospace 
Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6592; fax: 425-917-6591; email: 
ana.m.hueto@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-2015-0245; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-135-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 November 30, 2012, we issued AD 2012-24-10, Amendment 39-17280 
(77 FR 73908, December 12, 2012), for certain The Boeing Company Model 
747-400 and -400F series airplanes. AD 2012-24-10 requires installing 
new software, replacing the duct assembly with a new duct assembly, 
making wiring changes, and routing certain wire bundles. AD 2012-24-10 
resulted from multiple reports of integrated display unit (IDU) 
malfunctions and mode control panel (MCP) malfunctions. We issued AD 
2012-24-10 to prevent IDU malfunctions, which could affect the ability 
of the flightcrew to read primary displays for airplane attitude, 
altitude, or airspeed, and consequently reduce the ability of the 
flightcrew to maintain control of the airplane.

Actions Since AD 2012-24-10, Amendment 39-17280 (77 FR 73908, December 
12, 2012), Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2012-24-10, Amendment 39-17280 (77 FR 73908, 
December 12, 2012), we have received reports of intermittent or blank 
displays of a certain IDU in the flight deck that were due to an 
intermittent false ground not addressed by the software installation or 
wiring changes required by AD 2012-24-10. The false ground exists on 
the 25,000 foot altitude analog/discrete signal of the environmental 
control systems miscellaneous card, which is a signal that is 
transmitted to the pack temperature controller. This false ground 
creates a potential to circumvent the control logic by allowing the 3-
way valve to switch air sources before an aircraft reaches an altitude 
of 25,000 feet, defeating the intent of the corrective actions of AD 
2012-24-10.
    We have determined that the installation of a pressure switch 
bracket and an altitude pressure switch is needed on the forward side 
of the station 400 bulkhead to achieve an adequate level of safety. The 
installation of the altitude pressure switch would change the operating 
logic for the three-way valve, so that the source for equipment cooling 
air is changed as the airplane transitions through an altitude of 
25,000 feet. Since we issued AD 2012-24-10, Boeing issued Special 
Attention Service Bulletin 747-21-2532; and Special Attention Service 
Bulletin 747-21-2533; both dated February 13, 2014; which contain 
procedures for installing the pressure switch bracket and altitude 
pressure switch discussed previously.
    Since we issued AD 2012-24-10, Amendment 39-17280 (77 FR 73908, 
December 12, 2012), Boeing also issued a revision to Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 1, dated October 3, 2011 (which 
was referenced as a source of service information in AD 2012-24-10). 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 2, dated June 7, 
2013, was issued to correct wiring instructions for 747-400BCF 
airplanes that provide crew rest heat below a 25,000 foot altitude, and 
to add an airplane configuration having variable number RT061 as Group 
21 to the effectivity. The airplane that was added was recently 
converted from a passenger to a freighter configuration, which this 
proposed AD addresses. Since this

[[Page 8570]]

proposed AD adds this new airplane group to the applicability, we have 
added paragraph (j) to this proposed AD, which provides new compliance 
times for Group 21 airplanes.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Boeing issued Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 
2, dated June 7, 2013. This service information describes procedures 
for changing the wiring and operating logic of the equipment cooling 
three-way valve and replacing the existing duct assembly with a new 
duct assembly on the main distribution manifold of the air conditioning 
system.
    Boeing also issued Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-
21-2532, dated February 13, 2014. This service information describes 
procedures for installing an altitude pressure switch on the forward 
side of the station 400 bulkhead for the three-way valve of the 
equipment cooling system. Boeing also issued Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin 747-21-2533, dated February 13, 2014. This service 
information describes procedures for adding a second altitude signal to 
the switching logic for the three-way valve to provide a second, 
independent, altitude signal for the equipment cooling system.
    For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this 
service information. This service information is reasonably available; 
see ADDRESSES for ways to access this service information.

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 of the requirements of AD 2012-
24-10, Amendment 39-17280 (77 FR 73908, December 12, 2012.) This 
proposed AD would also require installing a pressure switch bracket and 
altitude pressure switch, and would add an airplane to the 
applicability.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 33 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Duct assembly and replacement wiring    44 work-hours x $85 per          $20,121         $23,861        $787,413
 changes (retained actions from AD       hour = $3,740.
 2012-24-10, Amendment 39-17280 (77 FR
 73908, December 12, 2012).
Software changes (retained actions      3 work-hours x $85 per                 0             255           8,415
 from AD 2012-24-10, Amendment 39-       hour = $255.
 17280 (77 FR 73908, December 12,
 2012).
Altitude pressure switch installation   13 work-hours x $85 per            5,230           6,335         209,055
 (new proposed action).                  hour = $1,105.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2012-24-10, Amendment 39-17280 (77 FR 73908, December 12, 2012), and 
adding the following new AD:

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2015-0245; Directorate Identifier 
2014-NM-135-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 6, 
2015.

[[Page 8571]]

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2012-24-10, Amendment 39-17280 (77 FR 73908, 
December 12, 2012).

(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 747-21A2523, Revision 2, dated June 7, 
2013.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 21, Air 
Conditioning; 31, Instruments.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of intermittent or blank 
displays of a certain integrated display unit (IDU) in the flight 
deck. We are issuing this AD to prevent IDU malfunctions, which 
could affect the ability of the flightcrew to read primary displays 
for airplane attitude, altitude, or airspeed, and consequently 
reduce the ability of the flightcrew to maintain control of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Software Update

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 
2012-24-10, Amendment 39-17280 (77 FR 73908, December 12, 2012), 
with revised service information. Within 12 months after January 16, 
2013 (the effective date of AD 2012-24-10), except as provided by 
paragraph (j) of this AD: Install integrated display system 
software, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 1, dated October 
3, 2011; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 2, 
dated June 7, 2013. As of the effective date of this AD, only Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 2, dated June 7, 2013, 
may be used to accomplish the actions required by this paragraph.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g) and (j) of this AD: Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 1, dated October 3, 2011; and Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 2, dated June 7, 2013; 
refer to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2426, dated July 29, 2010 
(for airplanes with Rolls-Royce engines); Boeing Service Bulletin 
747-31-2427, dated July 29, 2010 (for airplanes with General 
Electric engines); and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2428, dated 
July 29, 2010 (for airplanes with Pratt & Whitney engines); as 
additional sources of guidance for the software installation 
specified by paragraph (g) of this AD. Boeing Service Bulletin 747-
31-2426, dated July 29, 2010; Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2427, 
dated July 29, 2010; and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2428, dated 
July 29, 2010; are not incorporated by reference in this AD.

(h) Retained Duct Assembly Replacement and Wiring Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2012-24-10, Amendment 39-17280 (77 FR 73908, December 12, 2012), 
with revised service information. Within 60 months after January 16, 
2013 (the effective date of AD 2012-24-10), except as provided by 
paragraph (j) of this AD: Replace the duct assembly with a new duct 
assembly, do wiring changes, and route certain wire bundles, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 1, dated October 3, 2011; or 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 2, dated June 7, 
2013. As of the effective date of this AD, only Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 2, dated June 7, 2013, may be used to 
accomplish the actions required by this paragraph.

(i) New Installation of Pressure Switch Bracket and Altitude Pressure 
Switch

    Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: Install a 
new or serviceable pressure switch bracket and a new or serviceable 
altitude pressure switch on the forward side of the station 400 
bulkhead, do wiring changes, route certain wire bundles, install a 
new hose assembly, and perform a leak check and a functional logic 
test, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
service information specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this 
AD, as applicable.
    (1) For Model 747-400F series airplanes: Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-21-2532, dated February 13, 2014.
    (2) For Model 747-400BCF series airplanes: Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-21-2533, dated February 13, 2014.

(j) Actions for Group 21 Airplanes

    For Group 21 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 2, dated June 7, 2013, do the actions 
specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of this AD, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 2, dated June 7, 2013.
    (1) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install integrated display system software.
    (2) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the duct assembly with a new duct assembly, do wiring 
changes, and route certain wire bundles.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for actions required by 
paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if those actions were performed 
before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 1, dated October 3, 2011.

(l) 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 paragraph (m)(1) 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 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.
    (4) AMOCs approved for AD 2012-24-10, Amendment 39-17280 (77 FR 
73908, December 12, 2012), are approved as AMOCs for the 
corresponding provisions of paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.

(m) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Ana Martinez 
Hueto, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems 
Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6592; 
fax: 425-917-6591; email: ana.m.hueto@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 view this 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 February 2, 2015.
Dionne Palermo,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-02925 Filed 2-17-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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