Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D Series Airplanes, 22826-22828 [05-8761]
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22826
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 70, No. 84
Tuesday, May 3, 2005
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2005–21088; Directorate
Identifier 2004–NM–267–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing
Model 747–400 and 747–400D Series
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 747–400 and 747–
400D series airplanes. This proposed
AD would require an inspection for
corrosion and cracks of the station 980
upper deck floor beam, and repair and
related investigative actions if
necessary. This proposed AD is
prompted by reports of corrosion under
the cart lift threshold at the station 980
upper deck floor beam. We are
proposing this AD to detect and correct
such corrosion, which could result in a
cracked or broken floor beam, extensive
damage to adjacent structure, and
possible rapid decompression of the
airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by June 17, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
proposed AD.
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590.
VerDate jul<14>2003
14:51 May 02, 2005
Jkt 205001
• By fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
400 Seventh Street SW., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707,
Seattle, Washington 98124–2207.
You can examine the contents of this
AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket
Management Facility, U.S. Department
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street
SW., room PL–401, on the plaza level of
the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
This docket number is FAA–2005–
21088; the directorate identifier for this
docket is 2004–NM–267–AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivan
Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055–4056; telephone (425) 917–6437;
fax (425) 917–6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant
written data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your
comments to an address listed under
ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–
2005–21088; Directorate Identifier
2004–NM–267–AD’’ in the subject line
of your comments. We specifically
invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental,
and energy aspects of the proposed AD.
We will consider all comments
submitted by the closing date and may
amend the proposed AD in light of those
comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal
information you provide. We will also
post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD.
Using the search function of that Web
site, anyone can find and read the
comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual
who sent the comment (or signed the
comment on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You can
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
19477–78), or you can visit https://
dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov, or in
person at the Docket Management
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The Docket
Management Facility office (telephone
(800) 647–5227) is located on the plaza
level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after the DMS
receives them.
Related Rulemaking
Corrosion of the station 980 upper
deck floor beam was addressed in AD
97–09–13, amendment 39–10009 (62 FR
24022, May 2, 1997). That AD requires
inspecting the station 980 upper deck
floor beam and installing sealant under
the threshold in accordance with Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747–53A2400,
dated December 21, 1995. AD 97–09–13
applies to certain Model 747 series
airplanes.
Discussion
Beginning with line number 844, a
production change was made at the cart
lift cutout in the upper deck floor to
increase the durability of the station 980
floor beam and to add sealant between
the floor beam and the threshold. Recent
reports have shown that a corrosion
problem also exists in the new
configuration under the cart lift
threshold. Corrosion of the floor
structure occurred where the stainless
steel threshold contacts the aluminum
floor structure. Such corrosion could
result in a cracked or broken floor beam,
extensive damage to adjacent structure,
and possible rapid decompression of the
airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747–53A2503, dated
November 11, 2004. The service bulletin
describes procedures for inspecting the
station 980 upper deck floor beam for
corrosion and cracks, and repairing
corrosion. The service bulletin specifies
contacting Boeing for repair instructions
for any cracks and for corrosion that
exceeds the specified limits.
Accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information is intended to
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 84 / Tuesday, May 3, 2005 / Proposed Rules
adequately address the unsafe
condition.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent
information and identified an unsafe
condition that is likely to exist or
develop on other airplanes of this same
type design. Therefore, we are
proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information described
previously, except as discussed under
‘‘Differences Between the Proposed AD
and the Service Bulletin.’’
Differences Between the Proposed AD
and the Service Bulletin
The service bulletin specifies that you
may contact the manufacturer for
instructions on how to repair certain
conditions, but this proposed AD would
require you to repair those conditions
by using either a method that we
approve or data that meet the
certification basis of the airplane and
have been approved by an Authorized
Representative for the Boeing Delegation
Option Authorization Organization
whom we have authorized to make
those findings.
The service bulletin specifies an
inspection threshold of 10 years after
the initial date of delivery of the
airplane. However, paragraph (f)(1) of
this proposed AD specifies an
inspection threshold of 120 months after
the date of issuance of the original
Airworthiness Certificate or the date of
issuance of the original Export
Certificate of Airworthiness. This
decision is based on our determination
that ‘‘date of delivery’’ may be
interpreted differently by different
operators. We find that our proposed
terminology is generally understood
within the industry and records will
always exist that establish these dates
with certainty.
The service bulletin specifies a
‘‘detailed visual inspection.’’ We have
determined that the proposed
inspection should be considered a
‘‘detailed inspection.’’ However, we
consider the inspection definition in the
service bulletin to be adequate.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 363 airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet.
The following table provides the
estimated costs for U.S. operators to
comply with this proposed AD.
ESTIMATED COSTS
Action
Work hours
Average
labor rate
per hour
Parts
Cost per airplane
Number of
U.S.-registered airplanes
Fleet cost
Inspection .....................................
3
$65
None required ...............................
$195
46
$8,970
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.
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Jkt 205001
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); 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 proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES
section for a location to examine the
regulatory evaluation.
§ 39.13
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of
corrosion under the cart lift threshold at the
station 980 upper deck floor beam. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct such
corrosion, which could result in a cracked or
broken floor beam, extensive damage to
adjacent structure, and possible rapid
decompression of the airplane.
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, 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:
PO 00000
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Frm 00002
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA–2005–21088;
Directorate Identifier 2004–NM–267–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) must receive comments on this AD
action by June 17, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747–
400 and 747–400D series airplanes,
certificated in any category, as listed in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–53A2503,
dated November 11, 2004.
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.
Inspection
(f) At the later of the times specified in
paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD: Do a
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 84 / Tuesday, May 3, 2005 / Proposed Rules
detailed inspection for corrosion and cracks
of the station 980 upper deck floor beam, in
accordance with Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747–53A2503, dated November 11,
2004.
(1) Inspect within 120 months since the
date of issuance of the original Airworthiness
Certificate or the date of issuance of the
original Export Certificate of Airworthiness;
or
(2) Inspect at the time specified in
paragraph (f)(2)(i), (f)(2)(ii), or (f)(3)(iii) of
this AD for the applicable airplane group as
identified in the service bulletin.
(i) For Group 1 airplanes: Within 18
months after the effective date of this AD.
(ii) For Group 2 airplanes: Within 36
months after the effective date of this AD.
(iii) For Group 3 airplanes: Within 120
months after the airplane has been modified
in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin
747–25–3107, or within 36 months after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later.
Repair
(g) If any cracking or corrosion is found
during any inspection required by this AD,
do all related investigative and corrective
actions before further flight in accordance
with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747–
53A2503, dated November 11, 2004. If the
bulletin specifies to contact Boeing for
appropriate action, repair before further flight
according to a method approved by the
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), FAA; or according to data meeting the
certification basis of the airplane approved
by an Authorized Representative for the
Boeing 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 approval must specifically reference this
AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested in accordance with the procedures
found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) 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
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 approval must specifically refer to this
AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 21,
2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05–8761 Filed 5–2–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
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Jkt 205001
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration
29 CFR Part 1910
[Docket No. H–016]
RIN 1218–AC11
Occupational Exposure to Ionizing
Radiation
Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA), Department of
Labor.
ACTION: Request for information.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: OSHA requests data,
information and comment on issues
related to the increasing use of ionizing
radiation in the workplace and potential
worker exposure to it. Specifically,
OSHA requests data and information
about the sources and uses of ionizing
radiation in workplaces today, current
employee exposure levels, and adverse
health effects associated with ionizing
radiation exposure. OSHA also requests
data and information about practices
and programs employers are using to
control employee exposure, such as
exposure assessment and monitoring
methods, control methods, employee
training, and medical surveillance. The
Agency will use the data and
information it receives to determine
what action, if any, is necessary to
address worker exposure to
occupational ionizing radiation.
DATES: Comments must be submitted by
the following dates:
Hard copy: Your comments must be
submitted (postmarked or sent) by
August 1, 2005.
Facsimile and electronic
transmission: Your comments must be
sent by August 1, 2005.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by OSHA Docket No. H–016,
by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions below for submitting
comments.
Agency Web Site: https://
ecomments.osha.gov. Follow the
instructions on the OSHA Web page for
submitting comments.
Fax: If your comments, including any
attachments, are 10 pages or fewer, you
may fax them to the OSHA Docket
Office at (202) 693–1648.
Mail, express delivery, hand delivery
and courier service: You must submit
three copies of your comments and
attachments to the OSHA Docket Office,
Docket H–016, Room N–2625, U.S.
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210;
telephone (202) 693–2350 (OSHA’s TTY
number is (877) 889–5627). OSHA
Docket Office and Department of Labor
hours of operations are 8:15 a.m. to 4:45
p.m., ET.
Instructions: All submissions received
must include the Agency name and
docket number (H–016). All comments
received will be posted without change
on OSHA’s Web page at https://
www.osha.gov, including any personal
information provided. For detailed
instructions on submitting comments,
see the ‘‘Public Participation’’ heading
of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section of this document.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read comments or background
documents received, go to OSHA’s Web
page. Comments and submissions are
also available for inspection and
copying at the OSHA Docket Office at
the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Press inquiries: Kevin Ropp, OSHA
Office of Communications, Room N–
3647, U.S. Department of Labor, 200
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693–1999.
General and technical information:
Dorothy Dougherty, Acting Director,
OSHA Directorate of Standards and
Guidance, Room N–3718, U.S.
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210;
telephone: (202) 693–1950.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Background
A. Introduction
B. Sources of ionizing radiation exposure
1. Natural sources of workplace exposure
2. Radiation that results from industrial
activity
C. Workplace uses of ionizing radiation
1. Emergency response and security
2. Medical
3. Manufacturing and construction
4. Food and kindred products
D. Health effects
II. Regulatory history
III. Request for data, information and
comments
A. Sources of ionizing radiation exposure
and occupational uses
B. Emergency response and security
C. Employee exposure to ionizing radiation
D. Health effects
E. Risk assessment
F. Exposure assessment and monitoring
G. Control of ionizing radiation
H. Employee training
I. Medical surveillance
J. Economic impacts
K. Environmental effects
L. Duplication/overlapping/conflicting
rules
IV. Public participation
V. Authority and signature
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 3, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22826-22828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-8761]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 84 / Tuesday, May 3, 2005 / Proposed
Rules
[[Page 22826]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-21088; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-267-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require an inspection for corrosion and cracks of the
station 980 upper deck floor beam, and repair and related investigative
actions if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by reports of
corrosion under the cart lift threshold at the station 980 upper deck
floor beam. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct such
corrosion, which could result in a cracked or broken floor beam,
extensive damage to adjacent structure, and possible rapid
decompression of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 17, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
https://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401,
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket
number is FAA-2005-21088; the directorate identifier for this docket is
2004-NM-267-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ivan Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe
Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6437;
fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-21088;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-267-AD'' in the subject line of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit https://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
Related Rulemaking
Corrosion of the station 980 upper deck floor beam was addressed in
AD 97-09-13, amendment 39-10009 (62 FR 24022, May 2, 1997). That AD
requires inspecting the station 980 upper deck floor beam and
installing sealant under the threshold in accordance with Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-53A2400, dated December 21, 1995. AD 97-09-13
applies to certain Model 747 series airplanes.
Discussion
Beginning with line number 844, a production change was made at the
cart lift cutout in the upper deck floor to increase the durability of
the station 980 floor beam and to add sealant between the floor beam
and the threshold. Recent reports have shown that a corrosion problem
also exists in the new configuration under the cart lift threshold.
Corrosion of the floor structure occurred where the stainless steel
threshold contacts the aluminum floor structure. Such corrosion could
result in a cracked or broken floor beam, extensive damage to adjacent
structure, and possible rapid decompression of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2503, dated
November 11, 2004. The service bulletin describes procedures for
inspecting the station 980 upper deck floor beam for corrosion and
cracks, and repairing corrosion. The service bulletin specifies
contacting Boeing for repair instructions for any cracks and for
corrosion that exceeds the specified limits. Accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information is intended to
[[Page 22827]]
adequately address the unsafe condition.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which
would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously, except as discussed under
``Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin.''
Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin
The service bulletin specifies that you may contact the
manufacturer for instructions on how to repair certain conditions, but
this proposed AD would require you to repair those conditions by using
either a method that we approve or data that meet the certification
basis of the airplane and have been approved by an Authorized
Representative for the Boeing Delegation Option Authorization
Organization whom we have authorized to make those findings.
The service bulletin specifies an inspection threshold of 10 years
after the initial date of delivery of the airplane. However, paragraph
(f)(1) of this proposed AD specifies an inspection threshold of 120
months after the date of issuance of the original Airworthiness
Certificate or the date of issuance of the original Export Certificate
of Airworthiness. This decision is based on our determination that
``date of delivery'' may be interpreted differently by different
operators. We find that our proposed terminology is generally
understood within the industry and records will always exist that
establish these dates with certainty.
The service bulletin specifies a ``detailed visual inspection.'' We
have determined that the proposed inspection should be considered a
``detailed inspection.'' However, we consider the inspection definition
in the service bulletin to be adequate.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 363 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.
Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Average Cost per U.S.-
Action Work hours labor rate Parts airplane registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection..................................... 3 $65 None required.................... $195 46 $8,970
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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); 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 proposed AD. 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, 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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2005-21088; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
267-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by June 17, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D series
airplanes, certificated in any category, as listed in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-53A2503, dated November 11, 2004.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion under the cart
lift threshold at the station 980 upper deck floor beam. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct such corrosion, which could
result in a cracked or broken floor beam, extensive damage to
adjacent structure, and possible rapid decompression of the
airplane.
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.
Inspection
(f) At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (f)(1) and
(f)(2) of this AD: Do a
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detailed inspection for corrosion and cracks of the station 980
upper deck floor beam, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-53A2503, dated November 11, 2004.
(1) Inspect within 120 months since the date of issuance of the
original Airworthiness Certificate or the date of issuance of the
original Export Certificate of Airworthiness; or
(2) Inspect at the time specified in paragraph (f)(2)(i),
(f)(2)(ii), or (f)(3)(iii) of this AD for the applicable airplane
group as identified in the service bulletin.
(i) For Group 1 airplanes: Within 18 months after the effective
date of this AD.
(ii) For Group 2 airplanes: Within 36 months after the effective
date of this AD.
(iii) For Group 3 airplanes: Within 120 months after the
airplane has been modified in accordance with Boeing Service
Bulletin 747-25-3107, or within 36 months after the effective date
of this AD, whichever occurs later.
Repair
(g) If any cracking or corrosion is found during any inspection
required by this AD, do all related investigative and corrective
actions before further flight in accordance with Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-53A2503, dated November 11, 2004. If the
bulletin specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action, repair
before further flight according to a method approved by the Manager,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or according to
data meeting the certification basis of the airplane approved by an
Authorized Representative for the Boeing 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 approval must specifically reference this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) 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 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 approval must specifically refer to this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 21, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-8761 Filed 5-2-05; 8:45 am]
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