Document ID: FAA-2012-0862-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: The Boeing Company Airplanes
Posted Date: 2012-09-06T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 173 (Thursday, September 6, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54854-54856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21933]

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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).

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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.

[[Page 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation, relocation, and     Up to 23 work-      $Up to 8,887......  Up to $10,842.....  Up to $411,996.
 replacement.                      hours x $85 per
                                   hour = $1,955.
Concurrent installation.........  8 work-hours x $85  $1,801............  $2,481............  $94,278.
                                   per hour = 680.
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    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.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  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.

[[Page 54856]]

(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-ANM-Seattle-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