21240 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 77 / Monday, April 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 

Initial and Repetitive Inspections 

(h) Except as provided by paragraph (i) of 

this AD: At the applicable time specified in 

Table 2 of this AD, do the applicable initial 

inspections to detect cracks of all SSIs, in 

accordance with Revision E. Repeat the 

applicable inspections thereafter at the 

intervals specified in Section 3.0, 

‘‘Implementation’’ of Revision E. 

TABLE 2.—COMPLIANCE TIME FOR INITIAL INSPECTIONS

For airplanes with SSIs— Compliance time 

(1) Affected by the cargo configuration.Before the accumulation of 46,000 total flight cycles, or within 4,000 flight cycles measured from 12 

months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. 

(2) Not affected by the cargo configuration.Before the accumulation of 66,000 total flight cycles, or within 4,000 flight cycles measured from 12 

months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. 

(i) For any SSI that has been repaired or 

altered before the effective date of this AD 

such that the repair or design change affects 

your ability to accomplish the actions 

required by paragraph (h) of this AD: You 

must request FAA approval of an alternative 

method of compliance (AMOC) in 

accordance with section 39.17 of the Federal 

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.17), at the 

initial compliance time specified in 

paragraph (h) of the AD; or do the actions 

specified in paragraphs (i)(1) and (i)(2) of this 

AD, at the times specified in those 

paragraphs, as an approved means of 

compliance with the requirements of 

paragraph (h) of this AD. 

(1) At the initial compliance time specified 

in paragraph (h) of the AD, identify each 

repair or design change to that SSI. 

(2) Within 12 months after the 

identification of a repair or design change 

required by paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, assess 

the damage tolerance characteristics of each 

SSI affected by each repair or design change 

to determine the effectiveness of the 

applicable SSID inspection for that SSI and 

if not effective, incorporate a revision into 

the FAA-approved maintenance inspection 

program to include a damage-tolerance based 

alternative inspection program for each 

affected SSI. Thereafter, inspect the affected 

structure in accordance with the alternative 

inspection program. The inspection method 

and compliance times (i.e., threshold and 

repeat intervals) of the alternative inspection 

program must be approved in accordance 

with the procedures specified in paragraph 

(l) of this AD. 

Repair 

(j) If any cracked structure is found during 

any inspection required by paragraph (h) or 

(i) of this AD, before further flight, repair the 

cracked structure using a method approved 

in accordance with the procedures specified 

in paragraph (l) of this AD. 

Inspection Program for Transferred 

Airplanes 

(k) Before any airplane that is subject to 

this AD and that has exceeded the applicable 

compliance times specified in paragraph (h) 

of this AD can be added to an air carrier’s 

operations specifications, a program for the 

accomplishment of the inspections required 

by this AD must be established in accordance 

with paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this AD, as 

applicable. 

(1) For airplanes that have been inspected 

in accordance with this AD: The inspection 

of each SSI must be done by the new operator 

in accordance with the previous operator’s 

schedule and inspection method, or the new 

operator’s schedule and inspection method, 

at whichever time would result in the earlier 

accomplishment for that SSI inspection. The 

compliance time for accomplishment of this 

inspection must be measured from the last 

inspection accomplished by the previous 

operator. After each inspection has been 

done once, each subsequent inspection must 

be performed in accordance with the new 

operator’s schedule and inspection method. 

(2) For airplanes that have not been 

inspected in accordance with this AD: The 

inspection of each SSI required by this AD 

must be done either before adding the 

airplane to the air carrier’s operations 

specification, or in accordance with a 

schedule and an inspection method approved 

by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification 

Office (ACO), FAA. After each inspection has 

been done once, each subsequent inspection 

must be done in accordance with the new 

operator’s schedule. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(l)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO has the 

authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 

requested in accordance with the procedures 

found in 14 CFR 39.19. 

(2) To request a different method of 

compliance or a different compliance time 

for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 

39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on 

any airplane to which the AMOC applies, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector 

(PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District 

Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 

FSDO. 

(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 an 

Authorized Representative for the Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option 

Authorization Organization who has been 

authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to 

make those findings. For a repair method to 

be approved, the repair approval must 

specifically refer to this AD. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

(m) You must use Boeing Document D6–

37089, ‘‘Supplemental Structural Inspection 

Document for Model 737–100/200/200C 

Airplanes,’’ Revision E, dated May 2007, to 

do the actions required by this AD, unless the 

AD specifies otherwise. 

(1) The document contains the following 

errors: 

(i) Pages 2.0.3 and 2.0.4, Revision D, of 

Section 2.0 and pages F–14.5, Revision D, 

and F–14.6, Revision Blank, of Section 8.2 

exist; but are not specified in the List of 

Effective Pages. 

(ii) Pages 7.0.43 through 7.0.46 inclusive of 

Section 7.0 and pages W.34.1 and W.34.2 of 

Section 11.1, as specified in the List of 

Effective Pages, do not exist. 

(iii) The List of Effective Pages specifies 

incorrect revision levels for certain pages; the 

revision levels specified on each page are 

correct. 

(iv) None of the pages are dated. The issue 

date for each revision is specified in the 

Revision Highlights section. 

(2) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

this service information under 5 U.S.C. 

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Boeing Commercial 

Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 

Washington 98124–2207. 

(4) You may review copies of the service 

information incorporated by reference at the 

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at 

the National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, call 

202–741–6030, or go to: http:// 

www.archives.gov/federal_register/ 

code_of_federal_regulations/ 

ibr_locations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 8, 

2008. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E8–8320 Filed 4–18–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2006–26726; Directorate 

Identifier 2006–NM–205–AD; Amendment 

39–15479; AD 2008–08–25] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing 

Model 747–400F and –400 Series 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 


rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with RULES
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 77 / Monday, April 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 21241 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Boeing Model 747–400F and –400 series 

airplanes. This AD requires installing 

drains and drain tubes to eliminate 

water accumulation in the dripshield 

above the M826 Card File in the main 

equipment center. This AD results 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 are 

issuing this 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. 

DATES: This AD is effective May 27, 

2008. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of May 27, 2008. 

ADDRESSES: For service information 

identified in this AD, contact Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, 

Seattle, Washington 98124–2207. 

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 AD, the regulatory 

evaluation, any comments received, and 

other information. The address for the 

Docket Office (telephone 800–647–5527) 

is the Document Management Facility, 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 

Docket Operations, M–30, West 

Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 

Washington, DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Marcia Smith, Aerospace Engineer, 

Cabin Safety and Environmental 

Systems Branch, ANM–150S, FAA, 

Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 

Washington 98057–3356; telephone 

(425) 917–6484; fax (425) 917–6590. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 to include an airworthiness 

directive (AD) that would apply to 

certain Boeing Model 747–400F series 

airplanes. That NPRM was published in 

the Federal Register on January 8, 2007 

(72 FR 664). That NPRM proposed to 

require installing drains and drain tubes 

to eliminate water accumulation in the 

dripshield above the M826 Card File in 

the main equipment center. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this AD. We 

considered the comment received from 

the one commenter. 

Request To Revise the Applicability 

Language and To Add New Service 

Information 

Boeing requests that all occurrences of 

the phrase ‘‘certain 747–400F series 

airplanes’’ be changed to ‘‘certain 747–

400F and certain 747–400BCF series 

airplanes.’’ Boeing states that this 

change will clarify the affected models 

for operators, and that the wording of 

the proposed applicability statement, 

‘‘747–400F series,’’ does not include the 

Model 747–400BCF (Boeing converted 

freighter) airplanes. Boeing states that it 

is revising the existing service bulletin 

referred to in the NPRM to include some 

early Model 747–400BCF airplanes. 

We partially agree. We have 

determined that these airplanes are also 

subject to the identified unsafe 

condition addressed by this AD. 

Therefore, we agree to revise the 

applicability language of this AD to 

include these airplanes; however, we do 

not agree to use the language suggested 

by Boeing. Section XIII., ‘‘747–400SF 

Major Design Change,’’ of the type 

certificate data sheet for Boeing Model 

747 airplanes states that the Model 747–

400SF (special freighter), optionally 

known as Model 747–400BCF, remains 

as Model 747–400 series airplanes for 

documentation purposes and with 

regard to the applicability of ADs. 

Therefore, we have revised the 

applicability language in the preamble 

of this final rule to specify ‘‘certain 

Boeing Model 747–400F and 747–400 

series airplanes.’’ However, none of the 

airplanes added to the applicability 

statement of this AD are on the U.S. 

Register, therefore additional notice and 

opportunity for public comment before 

issuing this AD are unnecessary. We 

have also revised the applicability 

statement of this final rule to refer to 

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–

25A3526, dated November 13, 2007 

(described below), for Model 747–400 

series airplanes. 

Since we issued the NPRM, Boeing 

has issued Alert Service Bulletin 747–

25A3526 to address the identified 

unsafe condition on certain Model 747–

400 series airplanes. This service 

bulletin includes procedures that are 

essentially the same as those described 

in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–

25A3370, Revision 1, dated April 27, 

2006 (referred to in the NPRM as the 

appropriate source of service 

information for doing the proposed 

actions for Model 747–400F airplanes), 

except that it also includes moving the 

P402 panel. As we stated previously, we 

have added Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–25A3526 to this final rule. 

Conclusion 

We reviewed the relevant data, 

considered the comment received, and 

determined that air safety and the 

public interest require adopting the AD 

with the changes described previously. 

We also determined that these changes 

will not increase the economic burden 

on any operator or increase the scope of 

the AD. 

Change to Costs of Compliance Section 

of the NPRM 

We have revised this final rule to 

update the number of airplanes 

(representing the 747–400 series 

airplanes) in the worldwide fleet. None 

of the airplanes added to the 

applicability statement of this AD are on 

the U.S. Register, so the figures in the 

estimated costs table remain unchanged. 

Costs of Compliance 

There are about 130 airplanes of the 

affected design in the worldwide fleet. 

The following table provides the 

estimated costs for U.S. operators to 

comply with this AD. 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Work hours Average labor 

rate per hour Parts Cost per airplane 

Number of 

U.S.-registered 

airplanes 

Fleet cost 

Installation ................................................ 8 $80 $822 $1,462 21 $30,702 


rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with RULES
21242 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 77 / Monday, April 21, 2008 / Rules and Regulations 

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 

This AD will not have federalism 

implications under Executive Order 

13132. This AD will 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 this AD: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under 

DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 

(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), and 

(3) 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. 

You can find our regulatory 

evaluation and the estimated costs of 

compliance in the AD Docket. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

Adoption of the Amendment 

■ Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA amends 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 AD: 

2008–08–25 Boeing: Amendment 39–15479. 

Docket No. FAA–2006–26726; 

Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–205–AD. 

Effective Date 

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective May 27, 2008. 

Affected ADs 

(b) None. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747–

400F airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–25A3370, Revision 1, 

dated April 27, 2006; and Model 747–400 

series airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert 

Service Bulletin 747–25A3526, dated 

November 13, 2007; certificated in any 

category. 

Unsafe Condition 

(d) This AD results 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 are 

issuing this 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. 

Compliance 

(e) You are responsible for having the 

actions required by this AD performed within 

the compliance times specified, unless the 

actions have already been done. 

Installation 

(f) Within 24 months after the effective 

date of this AD, install two drains and drain 

tubes in the dripshield above the M826 Card 

File over the nose wheel left side in the main 

equipment center at station 400, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 

747–25A3370, Revision 1, dated April 27, 

2006 (for Model 747–400F series airplanes); 

or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–

25A3526, dated November 13, 2007 (for 

Model 747–400 series airplanes). 

Installation According to Previous Issue of 

Service Bulletin 

(g) Installing the drains and drain tubes is 

also acceptable for compliance with the 

requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD if 

done before the effective date of this AD in 

accordance with Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–25A3370, dated September 8, 

2005. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft 

Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to 

approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 

accordance with the procedures found in 14 

CFR 39.19. 

(2) Before using any AMOC approved in 

accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to 

which the AMOC applies, notify the 

appropriate principal inspector in the FAA 

Flight Standards Certificate Holding District 

Office. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

(i) You must use Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–25A3370, Revision 1, dated 

April 27, 2006; or Boeing Alert Service 

Bulletin 747–25A3526, dated November 13, 

2007; as applicable; to do the actions 

required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 

otherwise. 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

this service information under 5 U.S.C. 

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Boeing Commercial 

Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 

Washington 98124–2207. 

(3) You may review copies of the service 

information incorporated by reference at the 

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at 

the National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, call 

202–741–6030, or go to: http:// 

www.archives.gov/federal_register/ 

code_of_federal_regulations/ 

ibr_locations.html. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 7, 

2008. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E8–8327 Filed 4–18–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2007–0049; Directorate 

Identifier 2007–NM–168–AD; Amendment 

39–15478; AD 2008–08–24] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing 

Model 737–600, –700, –700C, –800, and 

–900 Series Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Boeing Model 737–600, –700, –700C, 

–800, and –900 series airplanes. This 

AD requires replacing the drain tube 

assemblies and support clamps on the 

aft fairing of the engine struts. This AD 

results from reports of failure of the 

drain tube assembly and clamp on the 

aft fairings of an engine strut. We are 

issuing this AD to prevent failure of the 


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