54854 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 173 / Thursday, September 6, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

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 August 

24, 2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–21931 Filed 9–5–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0862; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–198–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 supersede an 

existing airworthiness directive (AD) 

that applies to certain The Boeing 

Company Model 747–400 and 747–400F 

series airplanes. The existing AD 

currently requires installing drains and 

drain tubes to eliminate water 

accumulation in the dripshield above 

the M826 cardfile in the main 

equipment center. Since we issued that 

AD, we received reports of continued 

water damage to diode fire card 

285U0072–1 in the M826 automatic fire 

overheat logic test system cardfile 

following a false FWD CARGO FIRE 

message, with no change in frequency, 

which resulted in an air turn back. This 

proposed AD would instead require 

installing drain tubes, relocating wire 

bundle routing, installing a new drip 

shield and drip shield deflectors, and 

replacing insulation blankets. For 

certain airplanes, this proposed AD 

would also concurrently require sealing 

the drain slot, installing spuds, and 

installing drain tubes. We are proposing 

this AD to prevent water from exiting 

over the edge of the existing drip shield 

and contaminating electrical 

components in the M826 cardfile, which 

could result in an electrical short and 

potential loss of several functions 

essential for safe flight. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by October 22, 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. 

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 Control 

Systems, 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–2012–0862; Directorate Identifier 

2011–NM–198–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 April 7, 2008, we issued AD 2008– 

08–25, Amendment 39–15479 (73 FR 

21240, April 21, 2008), for certain 

Boeing Model 747–400F and –400 series 

airplanes. That AD requires installing 

drains and drain tubes to eliminate 

water accumulation in the dripshield 

above the M826 cardfile in the main 

equipment center. That AD resulted 

from a report that water from the 

dripshield entered the card file and 

damaged a circuit card, causing the AFT 

CARGO FIRE MSG message to be 

illuminated, and resulting in an air turn 

back. We issued that AD to prevent 

water from entering the card file and 

damaging a circuit card. Failure of one 

or more of the 15 fuel system circuit 

cards in the card file could cause loss 

of fuel management, which could cause 

unavailability of fuel. Failure of one or 

more of the 35 fire detection circuit 

cards could cause a false message of a 

fire, or no message of a fire when there 

is a fire. 

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued 

Since we issued AD 2008–08–25, 

Amendment 39–15479 (73 FR 21240, 

April 21, 2008), we received reports of 

continued water damage to diode fire 

card 285U0072–1 in the M826 

automatic fire overheat logic test system 

cardfile following a false FWD CARGO 

FIRE message, with no change in 

frequency, which resulted in an air turn 

back. These events occurred on 

airplanes on which the actions required 

by AD 2008–08–25 had already been 

accomplished. 

Relevant Service Information 

We reviewed Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–25A3580, Revision 1, 

dated July 14, 2011 (for Model 747– 

400F series airplanes); and Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–25A3581, Revision 

1, dated June 30, 2011 (for Model 747– 

400 series airplanes). The service 

information describes procedures for 

installing drain tubes, relocating wire 

bundle routing, installing a new drip 

shield and drip shield deflectors, and 

replacing insulation blankets. 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 173 / Thursday, September 6, 2012 / Proposed Rules 54855 

Concurrent Service Information 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– 

25A3581, Revision 1, dated June 30, 

2011, also specifies the concurrent 

accomplishment of Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–25A3526, Revision 1, 

dated February 20, 2009 (for Model 

747–400 series airplanes). This service 

bulletin describes procedures for sealing 

the drain slot, installing spuds, and 

installing left- and right-side drain 

tubes. 

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 none 

of the requirements of AD 2008–08–25, 

Amendment 39–15479 (73 FR 21240, 

April 21, 2008). This proposed AD 

would require accomplishing the 

actions specified in the following 

service bulletins: 

• Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– 

25A3580, Revision 1, dated July 14, 

2011 (for Model 747–400F series 

airplanes); 

• Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– 

25A3581, Revision 1, dated June 30, 

2011 (for Model 747–400 series 

airplanes); and 

• Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– 

25A3526, Revision 1, dated February 20, 

2009 (for Model 747–400 series 

airplanes). 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

affects 38 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 

Installation, relocation, 

and replacement.

Up to 23 work-hours × 

$85 per hour = $1,955.

$Up to 8,887 .................. Up to $10,842 ........................ Up to $411,996. 

Concurrent installation ... 8 work-hours × $85 per 

hour = 680.

$1,801 ............................ $2,481 .................................... $94,278. 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by 

removing airworthiness directive (AD) 

2008–08–25, Amendment 39–15479 (73 

FR 21240, April 21, 2008), and adding 

the following new AD: 

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA– 

2012–0862; Directorate Identifier 2011– 

NM–198–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

AD action by October 22, 2012. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD supersedes AD 2008–08–25, 

Amendment 39–15479 (73 FR 21240, April 

21, 2008). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to The Boeing Company 

airplanes, certificated in any category, as 

specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of 

this AD. 

(1) Model 747–400F series airplanes, as 

identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

747–25A3580, Revision 1, dated July 14, 

2011. 

(2) Model 747–400 series airplanes, as 

identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

747–25A3581, Revision 1, dated June 30, 

2011. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/ 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America 

Code 25, Equipment/Furnishings. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

continued water damage to diode fire card 

285U0072–1 in the M826 automatic fire 

overheat logic test system cardfile following 

a false FWD CARGO FIRE message, with no 

change in frequency, which resulted in an air 

turn back. We are issuing this AD to prevent 

water from exiting over the edge of the 

existing drip shield and contaminating 

electrical components in the M826 cardfile, 

which could result in an electrical short and 

potential loss of several functions essential 

for safe flight. 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
54856 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 173 / Thursday, September 6, 2012 / Proposed Rules 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Installation and Replacement 

Within 24 months after the effective date 

of this AD, install aft and forward drain 

tubes, relocate wire bundle routing, install a 

new drip shield and drip shield deflectors, 

and replace insulation blankets, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

747–25A3580, Revision 1, dated July 14, 

2011 (for Model 747–400F series airplanes); 

or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– 

25A3581, Revision 1, dated June 30, 2011 (for 

Model 747–400 series airplanes). 

(h) Concurrent Actions 

For Group 1 airplanes as identified in 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–25A3581, 

Revision 1, dated June 30, 2011: Prior to or 

concurrently with the actions required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD, seal the drain slot, 

install spuds, and install left- and right-side 

drain tubes, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–25A3526, Revision 1, 

dated February 20, 2009 (for Model 747–400 

series airplanes), except as specified in 

paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD. 

(1) Steps 1 through 5 of Figure 2 of Boeing 

Alert Service Bulletin 747–25A3526, 

Revision 1, dated February 20, 2009, are not 

required if work is being accomplished 

concurrently with the actions specified in 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–25A3581, 

Revision 1, dated June 30, 2011 (for Model 

747–400 series airplanes). 

(2) The portion of ‘‘More Data’’ in step 8 

of Figure 3 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

747–25A3526, Revision 1, dated February 20, 

2009, which says ‘‘Attach drain tube and 

strap above bead on the spud,’’ is not 

required. 

(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. 

(j) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Francis Smith, Aerospace Engineer, 

Cabin Safety & Environmental Control 

Systems, 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 August 

24, 2012. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2012–21933 Filed 9–5–12; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2012–0931; Directorate 

Identifier 2011–NM–128–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 all The 

Boeing Company Model 727, 727C, 727– 

100, 727–100C, 727–200, and 727–200F 

series airplanes. This proposed AD was 

prompted by a structural re-evaluation 

by the manufacturer, which identified 

elements within the wing trailing edge 

flap area that qualify as structural 

significant items (SSI). This proposed 

AD would require revising the 

maintenance inspection program to 

include inspections that will give no 

less than the required damage tolerance 

rating for certain SSIs, and repairing 

cracked structure. We are proposing this 

AD to detect and correct fatigue 

cracking of the wing trailing edge 

structure, which could result in 

compromised structural integrity of the 

airplane. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by October 22, 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. 

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: 

Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer, 

Airframe Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 

(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; phone: 425– 

917–6577; fax: 425–917–6590; email: 

Berhane.Alazar@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– 

2012–0931; Directorate Identifier 2011– 

NM–128–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:// 


TKELLEY on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS