[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27403-27405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12444]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-190-AD; Amendment 39-9237; AD 95-11-03]


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 747 series airplanes, that requires 
replacement of the existing pressure relief valve in the potable water 
system with a non-adjustable, single setting valve. This amendment is 
prompted by reports of potable water tanks that ruptured and resulted 
in damage to the passenger compartment. The actions specified by this 
AD are intended to prevent injury to the crew and passengers and damage 
to the passenger compartment due to an explosive failure of the potable 
water tank.

DATES: Effective June 23, 1995.

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 23, 1995.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained [[Page 27404]] from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 
3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined 
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Don Eiford, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2788; fax (206) 227-
1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747 series 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 15, 1994 
(59 FR 64629). That action proposed to require replacement of the 
existing pressure relief valve in the potable water system with a non-
adjustable, single setting valve. -
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received. -
    Two commenters support the rule. -
    The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), on behalf of 
several of its members, supports the proposed rule, but requests that 
the proposed compliance time of 6 months be extended to 12 months. ATA 
states that the 6-month compliance time would require several members 
to ``special schedule'' their maintenance planning in order to 
accomplish the proposed replacement of the pressure relief valve in the 
potable water system. The FAA does not concur with the commenter's 
request to extend the compliance time. In developing an appropriate 
compliance time for this action, the FAA considered not only the degree 
of urgency associated with addressing the subject unsafe condition, but 
the availability of required parts and the practical aspect of 
replacing the pressure relief valve within a maximum interval of time 
allowable for all affected airplanes to continue to operate without 
compromising safety. The manufacturer has advised that an ample number 
of required parts will be available for the replacement of the pressure 
relief valve for the U.S. fleet within the proposed compliance period. 
Additionally, the replacement actions required by this AD are 
uncomplicated and do not require special scheduling; the inspection 
could be accomplished during an ``A'' check, which occurs every one or 
two weeks. However, under the provisions of paragraph (b) of the final 
rule, the FAA may approve requests for adjustments to the compliance 
time if data are submitted to substantiate that such an adjustment 
would provide an acceptable level of safety. -
    Since issuance of the Notice, Boeing has issued Revision 1, dated 
March 2, 1995, of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-38A2105. This alert 
service bulletin changes airplane grouping by putting all Model 747 SP 
series airplanes in Group 3, and changes the part numbers of the valves 
required for Group 1 and Group 2 airplanes. Revision 1 does not 
increase the scope of the work required. Therefore, the FAA has revised 
the final rule to reflect the latest revision to the service bulletin 
as the appropriate source of service information. -
    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously 
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD. -
    There are approximately 983 Boeing Model 747 series airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 205 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $120 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $73,800, or $360 per airplane. -
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    -The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment. -
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 -

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment -

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


39.13  [Amended] -

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

95-11-03  Boeing: Amendment 39-9237. Docket 94-NM-190-AD.

     -Applicability: Model 747 series airplanes, line positions 1 
through 1013 inclusive; certificated in any category.

     -Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (b) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

     -Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously. -
    To prevent explosive failure of the potable water tank, which 
could cause damage to the [[Page 27405]] passenger compartment and 
result in injury to the crew and passengers, accomplish the 
following: -
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the existing pressure relief valve in the potable water system with 
a non-adjustable, single setting valve, in accordance with Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 747-38A2105, Revision 1, dated March 2, 1995. 
-
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
    Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.

    -Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

     -(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. -
    (d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
Service Bulletin 747-38A2105, Revision 1, dated March 2, 1995. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, 
P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. 
-
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 23, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 16, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-12444 Filed 5-23-95; 8:45 am]
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