[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25558-25560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12599]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-162-AD; Amendment 39-9628; AD 96-11-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200, -300, and -400 
Series Airplanes Equipped With General Electric Model CF6-80C2 PMC and 
CF6-80C2 FADEC Engines, and Pratt & Whitney Model PW4000 Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-200, -300, and -400 series 
airplanes, that currently requires inspection of each fuel feed line of 
the outboard engine in the engine strut to determine if interference 
with an adjacent pneumatic duct clamp has caused damage, and repair or 
replacement of the fuel feed tube, if necessary. That AD also currently 
requires inspection and replacement of the adjacent pneumatic duct 
clamp with a non-rotating type clamp, if necessary. This amendment 
requires modification of the upper gap area of the strut of the number 
1 and 4 engines. This amendment is prompted by a report of fuel leakage 
in the strut of the number 4 engine due to a high profile clamp that 
chafed the fuel line. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent chafing of the fuel line in the strut of the number 1 and 4

[[Page 25559]]

engines, which could result in rupture of the fuel line and subsequent 
in-flight engine fire.

DATES: Effective June 26, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 26, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained 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: Kenneth W. Frey, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 
telephone (206) 227-2673; fax (206) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 91-05-19, 
amendment 39-6918 (56 FR 8705, March 1, 1991), which is applicable to 
certain Boeing Model 747-200, -300, and -400 series airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on January 29, 1996 (61 FR 2730). The 
action proposed to supersede AD 91-05-19 to require modification of the 
upper gap area of the strut of the number 1 and 4 engines.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the two comments received.
    Both commenters support the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    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 as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 363 Boeing Model 747-200, -300, -400 series 
airplanes equipped with General Electric Model CF6-80C2 PMC and CF6-
80C2 FADEC engines, and Pratt & Whitney Model PW4000 engines of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 39 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
    The actions that are required by this AD will take approximately 6 
work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Required parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at 
no cost to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact on 
U.S. operators of the new requirements of this AD is estimated to be 
$14,040, or $360 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.

Regulatory Impact

    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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13   [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-6918 (56 FR 
8705, March 1, 1991), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
amendment 39-9628, to read as follows:

96-11-03  Boeing: Amendment 39-9628. Docket 95-NM-162-AD. Supersedes 
AD 91-05-19, Amendment 39-6918.

    Applicability: Model 747-200, -300, and -400 series airplanes 
having line positions 679 through 1041 inclusive; equipped with 
General Electric Model CF6-80C2 PMC and CF6-80C2 FADEC, and Pratt & 
Whitney Model PW4000 engines; 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent chafing of the fuel line in the strut of the number 1 
and 4 engines, which could result in rupture of the fuel line and 
subsequent in-flight engine fire, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the upper gap area of the strut of the number 1 and 4 engines, in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-36A2097, Revision 3, 
dated September 28, 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 modification shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
Service Bulletin 747-36A2097, Revision 3, dated September 28, 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,

[[Page 25560]]

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 26, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 14, 1996.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager,Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-12599 Filed 5-21-96; 8:45 am]
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