Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 20, 2009 / Rules and Regulations 23619 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2009–0450; Directorate 

Identifier 2008–NM–182–AD; Amendment 

39–15908; AD 2009–10–12] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Boeing 

Model 747 Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an 

existing airworthiness directive (AD) 

that applies to certain Boeing Model 747 

airplanes. The existing AD currently 

requires modifying the inflation systems 

of the upper deck escape slides; singlepiece off-wing escape ramps/slides; twopiece off-wing escape slides; and door 1, 

2, 4, and 5 escape slides/rafts; as 

applicable. This AD expands the 

applicability to include an additional 

airplane. This AD results from a report 

of 30- to 60-second delays in the 

inflation of escape slides/rafts. We are 

issuing this AD to prevent actuation 

delays in the inflation systems of the 

escape slides/rafts, which could result 

in delayed or failed deployment of 

escape slides/rafts during emergency 

evacuation of an airplane. 

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 

4, 2009. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of a certain publication listed in the AD 

as of June 4, 2009. 

On September 13, 2005 (70 FR 46067, 

August 9, 2005), the Director of the 

Federal Register approved the 

incorporation by reference of Boeing 

Service Bulletin 747–25–3279, Revision 

1, dated July 11, 2002; and Boeing 

Service Bulletin 747–25–3232, dated 

July 6, 2000. 

We must receive any comments on 

this AD by July 20, 2009. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments 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: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 

Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. 

For Boeing service information 

identified in this AD, contact Boeing 

Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, 

Seattle, Washington 98124–2207; 

telephone 206–544–9990; fax 206–766– 

5682; e-mail DDCS@boeing.com; 

Internet https:// 

www.myboeingfleet.com. For Goodrich 

service information identified in this 

AD, contact Goodrich Corporation, 

Aircraft Interior Products, ATTN: 

Technical Publications, 3414 South 

Fifth Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85040; 

telephone 602–243–2270; e-mail 

george.yribarren@goodrich.com; Internet 

http://www.goodrich.com/TechPubs. 

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 street address for 

the Docket Office (telephone 800–647– 

5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 

Comments will be available in the AD 

docket shortly after receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Andrew Guion, 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) 917–6428; fax (425) 917–6590. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion 

On July 29, 2005, we issued AD 2005– 

16–06, amendment 39–14211 (70 FR 

46067, August 9, 2005). That AD applies 

to certain Boeing Model 747 airplanes. 

That AD requires modifying the 

inflation systems of the upper deck 

escape slides; single-piece off-wing 

escape ramps/slides; two-piece off-wing 

escape slides; and door 1, 2, 4, and 5 

escape slides/rafts as applicable. That 

AD resulted from a report of 30- to 60- 

second delays in the inflation of escape 

slides/rafts. The actions specified in that 

AD are intended to prevent actuation 

delays in the inflation systems of the 

escape slides/rafts, which could result 

in delayed or failed deployment of 

escape slides/rafts during emergency 

evacuation of an airplane. 

Actions Since AD Was Issued 

Since we issued that AD, we have 

been advised that one additional 

airplane may be subject to the identified 

unsafe condition. 

Relevant Service Information 

AD 2005–16–06 referred to Boeing 

Service Bulletin 747–25–3279, Revision 

1, dated July 11, 2002, as the 

appropriate source of service 

information for the modification 

required by paragraph (f) of that AD. 

Since we issued that AD, Boeing has 

revised that service bulletin. Revision 4, 

dated December 11, 2008, provides the 

same procedures as those specified in 

Revision 1, but adds airplane RG162 to 

the effectivity. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of this AD 

We are issuing this AD because the 

unsafe condition described previously is 

likely to exist or develop on other 

products of the(se) same type design(s) 

that could be registered in the United 

States in the future. This AD retains the 

requirements of the AD 2005–16–06. 

This AD supersedes AD 2005–16–06 to 

add one airplane. 

Since the added airplane is not on the 

U.S. Register, notice and opportunity for 

public comment before issuing this AD 

are unnecessary. 

Differences Between the AD and 

Service Information 

Although Boeing Service Bulletin 

747–25–3279, Revision 1, dated July 11, 

2002; Boeing Service Bulletin 747–25– 

3279, Revision 4, dated December 11, 

2008; and Boeing Service Bulletin 747– 

25–3232, dated July 6, 2000; 

recommend accomplishing the 

modification at ‘‘the next scheduled 

evacuation system overhaul,’’ we have 

determined that this imprecise 

compliance time does not address the 

identified unsafe condition in a timely 

manner. In developing an appropriate 

compliance time for this AD, we 

considered not only the manufacturer’s 

recommendation, but also the degree of 

urgency associated with addressing the 

subject unsafe condition, the average 

utilization of the affected fleet, and the 

time necessary to perform the 

modifications. In light of all of these 

factors, we find a compliance time of 36 

months for completing the actions to be 

warranted, in that it represents an 

appropriate interval of time for affected 

airplanes to continue to operate without 

compromising safety. This compliance 

time has been coordinated with the 

manufacturer. 

23620 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 20, 2009 / Rules and Regulations 

Change to Existing AD 

This AD retains all requirements of 

AD 2005–16–06. Since AD 2005–16–06 

was issued, the AD format has been 

revised, and certain paragraphs have 

been rearranged. As a result, the 

corresponding paragraph identifiers 

have changed in this AD, as listed in the 

following table: 

REVISED PARAGRAPH IDENTIFIERS

Requirement in AD 

2005–16–06 

Corresponding 

requirement in this 

AD 

paragraph (e) ............ paragraph (f). 

paragraph (f) ............. paragraph (g). 

paragraph (g) ............ paragraph (h). 

paragraph (h) ............ paragraph (i). 

paragraph (i) ............. paragraph (j). 

Costs of Compliance 

The newly added airplane is not on 

the U.S. Register; therefore, it is not 

directly affected by this AD action. 

However, we consider this AD 

necessary to ensure that the unsafe 

condition is addressed if that affected 

airplane is imported and placed on the 

U.S. Register in the future. For that 

airplane, the costs to comply with this 

AD would be the same as the costs 

provided in the existing AD which are 

restated below, with a revised average 

labor rate of $80 per work hour. 

ESTIMATED COSTS OF AD 2005–16–06 

Model Work hours Parts costs Cost per 

airplane 

Number of 

U.S.-registered 

airplanes 

Fleet cost 

747–100, –100B, –100B SUD, –200B, and 

–200C series airplanes, identified as 

Group 1 in Boeing Service Bulletin 747– 

25–3279.

12 $34,832 (2 each: doors 1, 2, 

4, 5, upper deck, and twopiece off-wing).

$35,792 53 $1,896,976 

747–200B and –300 series airplanes, identified as Group 2 in Boeing Service Bulletin 

747–25–3279.

8 $26,368 (2 each: doors 1, 2, 

4, and 5).

27,008 4 108,032 

747–200B series airplanes, identified as 

Group 3 in Boeing Service Bulletin 747– 

25–3279.

10 $30,600 (2 each: doors 1, 2, 

4, 5, and two-piece offwing).

31,400 1 31,400 

747–100, –100B, –100B SUD, –200B, 

747SP, and 747SR series airplanes, identified as Group 4 in Boeing Service Bulletin 747–25–3279.

10 $30,600 (2 each: doors 1, 2, 

4, and 5, and upper deck).

31,400 17 533,800 

747–200F and –400F series airplanes, identified as Group 5 in Boeing Service Bulletin 747–25–3279.2 $4,232 (2 upper deck doors) 4,392 32 140,544 

747–200B series airplanes, identified as 

Group 6 in Boeing Service Bulletin 747– 

25–3279.

2 $4,232 (2 two-piece off-wing 

doors).

4,392 0 0 

747–400 and –400D series airplanes, identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747–25– 

3232.

2 $8,250 (2 single-piece offwing doors).8,410 59 496,190 

747–200B series airplanes, identified as 

Group 4 in Boeing Service Bulletin 747– 

25–3279 and also identified in Boeing 

Service Bulletin 747–25–3232.

10 $30,600 (2 each: doors 1, 2, 

4, 5, upper deck, and single-piece off-wing).

31,400 3 94,200 

Comments Invited 

This AD is a final rule that involves 

requirements affecting flight safety, and 

we did not provide you with notice and 

an opportunity to provide your 

comments before it becomes effective. 

However, we invite you to send any 

written data, views, or arguments about 

this AD. Send your comments to an 

address listed under the ADDRESSES

section. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA– 

2009–0450; Directorate Identifier 2008– 

NM–182–AD’’ at the beginning of your 

comments. We specifically invite 

comments on the overall regulatory, 

economic, environmental, and energy 

aspects of this AD. We will consider all 

comments received by the closing date 

and may amend this 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 AD. 

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 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 

Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 20, 2009 / Rules and Regulations 23621 

responsibilities among the various 

levels of government. 

For the reasons discussed above, I 

certify that the 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); 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. 

We prepared a regulatory evaluation 

of the estimated costs to comply with 

this AD and placed it in the AD docket. 

See the ADDRESSES section for a location 

to examine the regulatory evaluation. 

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 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13 

by removing amendment 39–14211 (70 

FR 46067, August 9, 2005) and adding 

the following new AD: 

2009–10–12 Boeing: Docket No. FAA–2009– 

0450; Directorate Identifier 2008–NM– 

182–AD; Amendment 39–15908. 

Effective Date 

(a) This AD becomes effective June 4, 2009. 

Affected ADs 

(b) This AD supersedes AD 2005–16–06. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to the airplanes listed 

in Table 1 of this AD, certificated in any 

category. 

TABLE 1—APPLICABILITY

Boeing— As identified in— 

Model 747–100, –100B, –100B SUD, –200B, –200C, –200F, –300, 

–400F, 747SP, and 747SR series airplanes.

Boeing Service Bulletin 747–25–3279, Revision 4, dated December 11, 

2008. 

Model 747–200B, –200C, –300, –400, and –400D series airplanes ....... Boeing Service Bulletin 747–25–3232, dated July 6, 2000. 

Subject 

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 25: Equipment/Furnishings. 

Unsafe Condition 

(e) This AD results from a report of 30- to 

60-second delays in the inflation of escape 

slides/rafts. We are issuing this AD to 

prevent actuation delays in the inflation 

systems of the escape slides/rafts, which 

could result in delayed or failed deployment 

of escape slides/rafts during emergency 

evacuation of an airplane. 

Compliance 

(f) You are responsible for having the 

actions required by this AD performed within 

the compliance times specified, unless the 

actions have already been done. 

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2005– 

16–06 

Modification for Upper Deck, Two-Piece OffWing, and Door 1, 2, 4, and 5 Slides and 

Slide/Rafts 

(g) For Model 747–100, –100B, –100B SUD, 

–200B, –200C, –200F, –300, –400F, 747SP, 

and 747SR series airplanes identified in 

Boeing Service Bulletin 747–25–3279, 

Revision 1, dated July 11, 2002: Within 36 

months after September 13, 2005 (the 

effective date of AD 2005–16–06), do the 

actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and 

(g)(2) of this AD, as applicable, in accordance 

with Boeing Service Bulletin 747–25–3279, 

Revision 1, dated July 11, 2002; or Revision 

4, dated December 11, 2008. After the 

effective date of this AD, only Revision 4 of 

Boeing Service Bulletin 747–25–3279 can be 

used to accomplish the requirements of this 

paragraph. 

(1) Modify the inflation systems of the 

upper deck and two-piece off-wing escape 

slides. 

(2) Modify the inflation systems of the door 

1, 2, 4, and 5 escape slides/rafts, as 

applicable. 

Note 1: Boeing Service Bulletins 747–25– 

3279, Revision 1, dated July 11, 2002, and 

747–25–3279, Revision 4, dated December 

11, 2008; refer to Goodrich Service Bulletin 

4A3037–25–327, dated November 30, 2001; 

Goodrich Service Bulletin 4A3056–25–331, 

dated December 21, 2001; and Goodrich 

Service Bulletin 4A3221–25–332, dated 

December 21, 2001; as additional sources of 

service information for doing the 

modifications. 

Modification for Single-Piece Off-Wing 

Ramp/Slides 

(h) For Model 747–200B, –200C, –300, 

–400, and –400D series airplanes identified 

in Boeing Service Bulletin 747–25–3232, 

dated July 6, 2000: Within 36 months after 

September 13, 2005, modify the inflation 

system of the single-piece off-wing escape 

ramps/slides, in accordance with Boeing 

Service Bulletin 747–25–3232, dated July 6, 

2000. 

Note 2: Boeing Service Bulletin 747–25– 

3232, dated July 6, 2000, refers to Goodrich 

Service Bulletin 4A3416–25–305, Revision 2, 

dated October 15, 2001, as an additional 

source of service information for doing the 

modification. 

Parts Installation 

(i) For airplanes identified in paragraph (g) 

or (h) of this AD: As of September 13, 2005, 

unless the regulator assembly of the inflation 

system has been modified in accordance with 

paragraph (g) or (h) of this AD, as applicable, 

no person may install on any airplane a 

regulator assembly with any of the following 

part numbers (P/Ns): P/N 4A3047, –2, –3, –4, 

–5, –8, –9, or –10; P/N 4A3194–1, –2, –3, or 

–4; or P/N 4A3474–3. 

Credit for Previous Service Bulletin 

(j) Actions done before September 13, 

2005, in accordance with Boeing Service 

Bulletin 747–25–3279, dated May 16, 2002, 

are acceptable for compliance with the 

corresponding requirements of paragraph (g) 

of this AD. 

New Requirements of This AD 

Modification for Upper Deck, Two-Piece OffWing, and Door 1, 2, 4, and 5 Slides and 

Slide/Rafts 

(k) For Model 747SP airplane with the 

variable number RG162: Within 36 months 

after the effective date of this AD, do the 

actions specified in paragraphs (k)(1) and 

(k)(2) of this AD, in accordance with Boeing 

Service Bulletin 747–25–3279, Revision 4, 

dated December 11, 2008. 

(1) Modify the inflation systems of the 

upper deck and two-piece off-wing escape 

slides. 

(2) Modify the inflation systems of the door 

1, 2, 4, and 5 escape slides/rafts. 

Actions Accomplished According to 

Previous Issue of Service Bulletin 

(l) Actions accomplished before the 

effective date of this AD according to Boeing 

Service Bulletin 747–25–3279, Revision 2, 

dated July 26, 2006; or Revision 3, dated 

January 18, 2007; are considered acceptable 

for compliance with the corresponding 

actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. 

(m) Actions accomplished before the 

effective date of this AD according to Boeing 

Service Bulletin 747–25–3279, dated May 16, 

2002; Revision 1, dated July 11, 2002; 

Revision 2, dated July 26, 2006; or Revision 

3, dated January 18, 2007; are considered 

acceptable for compliance with the 

corresponding actions specified in paragraph 

(k) of this AD. 

23622 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 96 / Wednesday, May 20, 2009 / Rules and Regulations 

Parts Installation for RG162 

(n) For Model 747SP airplane with the 

variable number RG162: As of the effective 

date of this AD, unless the regulator assembly 

of the inflation system has been modified in 

accordance with paragraph (k) of this AD, no 

person may install on that airplane a 

regulator assembly with any of the following 

part numbers (P/Ns): P/N 4A3047, –2, –3, –4, 

–5, –8, –9, or –10; P/N 4A3194–1, –2, –3, or 

–4; or P/N 4A3474–3. 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(o)(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. Send information to ATTN: 

Andrew Guion, 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) 917–6428; fax (425) 917–6590. 

(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 principal maintenance inspector 

(PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), 

as appropriate, or lacking a principal 

inspector, your local Flight Standards District 

Office. The AMOC approval letter must 

specifically reference this AD. 

(3) AMOCs approved previously in 

accordance with AD 2005–16–06 are 

approved as AMOCs for the corresponding 

provisions of this AD. 

Material Incorporated by Reference 

(p) You must use the service information 

contained in Table 2 of this AD, as 

applicable, to do the actions required by this 

AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

TABLE 2—ALL MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Boeing Service Bulletin— Revision— Dated— 

747–25–3232 ........................................................................ Original ................................................................................. July 6, 2000. 

747–25–3279 ........................................................................ 1 ........................................................................................... July 11, 2002. 

747–25–3279 ........................................................................ 4 ........................................................................................... December 11, 2008. 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

the service information contained in Table 3 

of this AD under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

TABLE 3—NEW MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Boeing Service Bulletin— Revision— Dated— 

747–25–3279 ........................................................................ 4 ........................................................................................... December 11, 2008. 

(2) The Director of the Federal Register 

previously approved the incorporation by 

reference of the service information 

contained in Table 4 of this AD on September 

13, 2005 (70 FR 46067, August 9, 2005). 

TABLE 4—MATERIAL PREVIOUSLY INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Boeing Service Bulletin— Revision— Dated— 

747–25–3232 ........................................................................ Original ................................................................................. July 6, 2000. 

747–25–3279 ........................................................................ 1 ........................................................................................... July 11, 2002. 

(3) For Boeing 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; e-mail 

me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet https:// 

www.myboeingfleet.com. For Goodrich 

service information identified in this AD, 

contact Goodrich Corporation, Aircraft 

Interior Products, ATTN: Technical 

Publications, 3414 South Fifth Street, 

Phoenix, Arizona 85040; telephone 602–243– 

2270; e-mail george.yribarren@goodrich.com; 

Internet http://www.goodrich.com/TechPubs. 

(4) You may review copies of the 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 or 425–227–1152. 

(5) You may also review copies of the 

service information that is incorporated by 

reference 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 May 6, 

2009. 

Ali Bahrami, 

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. E9–11284 Filed 5–19–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2009–0449; Directorate 

Identifier 2008–NM–034–AD; Amendment 

39–15907; AD 2009–10–11] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model 

A330–300, A340–200, and A340–300 

Series Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Final rule; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This AD results