Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D Series Airplanes, 13060-13062 [E6-3560]
Download as PDF
13060
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 14, 2006 / Proposed Rules
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.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A.
(EMBRAER): Docket No. FAA–2006–
24120; Directorate Identifier 2006–NM–
021–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
this AD action by April 13, 2006.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all EMBRAER Model
EMB–120() airplane models in operation,
certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a fuel system
review conducted by the manufacturer. We
are issuing this AD to prevent a potential
source of ignition near a fuel tank, which, in
combination with flammable fuel vapors,
could result in a fuel tank explosion.
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with PROPOSAL
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.
Rerouting Harnesses and Replacing Harness
Conduits
(f) Within 5,000 flight hours after the
effective date of this AD, perform the actions
specified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this
AD, as applicable, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of EMBRAER
Service Bulletin 120–28–0014, Revision 01,
dated November 4, 2004.
(1) For Group I airplanes as identified in
paragraph 1.1.1(a) or for Group II airplanes as
identified in paragraph 1.1.1(b) of the service
bulletin, as applicable: Modify the supports
and wiring of the refueling vent and pilot
valves wiring harnesses; reroute the
harnesses to prevent interference with
adjacent strobe light connectors; and replace
the protective tubes and conduits of the
harnesses with non-conductive hoses; in
accordance with Part I of the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin.
(2) For all remaining airplanes as identified
in paragraph 1.1.2 of the service bulletin:
Replace the protective tubes of the wiring
harnesses of the refueling vent and pilot
valves with non-conductive hoses; in
accordance with Part II of the
Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin.
16:21 Mar 13, 2006
Jkt 208001
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, International Branch,
ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate,
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested in accordance with
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in
accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to
which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA
Flight Standards Certificate Holding District
Office.
Related Information
(i) Brazilian airworthiness directive 2005–
12–04, dated January 19, 2006, also addresses
the subject of this AD.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
Credit for Prior Revision of Service
Information
(g) Actions accomplished before the
effective date of this AD in accordance with
EMBRAER Service Bulletin 120–28–0014,
dated April 19, 2004, are considered
acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding requirements of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 3,
2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6–3563 Filed 3–13–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2006–24121; Directorate
Identifier 2005–NM–248–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 replacing specified
tie rods of the center overhead stowage
bins. This proposed AD results from
manufacturer analysis of the overhead
storage bin support structure that
demonstrated that the capability of
certain existing tie rods does not meet
emergency landing load requirements.
We are proposing this AD to prevent
disintegration or detachment of the
center overhead stowage bins during an
extreme forward load event, which
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
could cause injury to passengers and
hinder emergency evacuation
procedures.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by April 28, 2006.
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.
• 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.
Contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124–2207, for the service
information identified in this proposed
AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patrick Gillespie, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental
Systems Branch, ANM–150S, FAA,
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055–4056; telephone
(425) 917–6429; 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 in the
ADDRESSES section. Include the docket
number ‘‘FAA–2006–24121; Directorate
Identifier 2005–NM–248–AD’’ at the
beginning 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 received 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
E:\FR\FM\14MRP1.SGM
14MRP1
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 14, 2006 / Proposed Rules
who sent the comment (or signed the
comment on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78), or you may visit https://
dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may 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 Docket
Management System receives them.
Discussion
We have received a report that a
manufacturer tension test demonstrated
that the capability to meet emergency
landing load requirements was lower
than predicted for some existing tie rods
in the support structure of the center
overhead stowage bins on certain Model
747–400 airplanes. This condition, if
not corrected, could result in
disintegration or detachment of the
center overhead stowage bins during an
extreme forward load event, which
could cause injury to passengers and
hinder emergency evacuation
procedures.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 747–25–
3371, dated July 28, 2005. The service
bulletin describes procedures for
replacing specified tie rods of the center
overhead stowage bins with new,
improved tie rods that meet emergency
landing load requirements.
Accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information is intended to
adequately address the unsafe
condition.
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with PROPOSAL
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. For this reason, we are
proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information described
previously, except as discussed under
‘‘Difference Between the Proposed AD
and Service Bulletin.’’
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:21 Mar 13, 2006
Jkt 208001
Difference Between the Proposed AD
and Service Bulletin
Where Special Attention Service
Bulletin 747–25–3371 recommends
accomplishing the specified actions
within 24 months, we have determined
that a compliance time of 60 months
will be acceptable. In developing an
appropriate compliance time for this
AD, we considered the degree of
urgency associated with the subject
unsafe condition and the average
utilization of the affected fleet. In light
of these factors, we find that 60 months
represents an appropriate interval of
time for affected airplanes to continue to
operate without compromising safety.
We have coordinated this difference
with the manufacturer.
Clarification of Applicability
Special Attention Service Bulletin
747–25–3371 identifies certain airplanes
as having center overhead stowage bins;
however, such an airplane may have
received an approved cargo conversion
that removed the center overhead
stowage bins and tie rods. We have
determined that only airplanes
identified in the service bulletin that
actually have center overhead stowage
bins and associated tie rods installed are
affected by this proposed AD. We have
clarified the applicability of this
proposed AD accordingly.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 380 airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet.
This proposed AD would affect about 62
airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed
actions, depending on whether an
airplane has tie rods on both sides or
one side only, would take between 2
and 3 work hours per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour.
Required parts would cost about $1,090
per tie rod replacement kit. Based on
these figures, the estimated cost of the
proposed AD for U.S. operators is
between $75,640 and $147,250, or
between $1,220 and $2,375 per airplane.
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
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
13061
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 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, 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.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13
by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA–2006–24121;
Directorate Identifier 2005–NM–248–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on
this AD action by April 28, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
E:\FR\FM\14MRP1.SGM
14MRP1
13062
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 14, 2006 / Proposed Rules
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747–
400 and 747–400D series airplanes,
certificated in any category; as identified in
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin
747–25–3371, dated July 28, 2005; equipped
with center overhead stowage bins.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report that a
manufacturer tension test demonstrated that
the capability to meet emergency landing
load requirements was lower than predicted
for some existing tie rods in the support
structure of the center overhead stowage bins
on certain Model 747–400 airplanes. We are
issuing this AD to prevent disintegration or
detachment of the center overhead stowage
bins during an extreme forward load event,
which could cause injury to passengers and
hinder evacuation procedures.
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.
Replace Tie Rods
(f) Within 60 months after the effective
date of this AD, replace specified tie rods of
the center overhead stowage bins with new,
improved tie rods that meet emergency
landing load requirements, in accordance
with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin
747–25–3371, dated July 28, 2005.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(g)(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) Before using any AMOC approved in
accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to
which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA
Flight Standards Certificate Holding District
Office.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 3,
2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E6–3560 Filed 3–13–06; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service
26 CFR Part 1
wwhite on PROD1PC65 with PROPOSAL
[REG–164247–05]
RIN 1545–BF30
Agent for a Consolidated Group With
Foreign Common Parent
Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
Treasury.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:21 Mar 13, 2006
Jkt 208001
SUMMARY: In the Rules and Regulations
section of this issue of the Federal
Register, the IRS is issuing regulations
that provide the IRS with the authority
to designate a domestic member of the
consolidated group as a substitute agent
to act as the sole agent for the group
where a foreign entity is the common
parent. These regulations affect
corporations that join in the filing of a
consolidated Federal income tax return
where the common parent of the
consolidated group is treated as a
domestic corporation pursuant to
section 7874(b) of the Internal Revenue
Code (Code) or as a result of a section
953(d) election. The text of the
temporary regulations also serves as the
text of these proposed regulations.
DATES: Written or electronic comments,
and a request for a public hearing, must
be received by June 12, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Send submissions to:
CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–164247–05), Room
5203, Internal Revenue Service, P.O.
Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station,
Washington, DC 20044. Submissions
may be hand-delivered Monday through
Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and
4 p.m. to CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–164247–
05), Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue
Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue,
NW., Washington, DC, or sent
electronically, via the IRS Internet site
at https://www.irs.gov/regs or via the
Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://
www.regulations.gov (IRS–REG–
164247–05).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Concerning the proposed regulations,
Stephen R. Cleary, (202) 622–7750,
concerning submissions of comments,
Kelly Banks, (202) 622–7180 (not tollfree numbers).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background and Explanation of
Provisions
Temporary Regulations in the Rules
and Regulations section of this issue of
the Federal Register amends 26 CFR
part 1 relating to section 1502. The
temporary regulations add § 1.1502–
77T. The text of those temporary
regulations also serves as the text of
these proposed regulations. The
preamble to the temporary regulations
explains the amendments.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
AGENCY:
Notice of proposed rulemaking
by cross-reference to temporary
regulations.
ACTION:
Special Analysis
It has been determined that this
proposed regulation is not a significant
regulatory action as defined in
Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a
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Frm 00023
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
regulatory assessment is not required. It
is hereby certified that this proposed
regulation will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. This
certification is based on the fact that the
regulation merely grants authority to the
IRS to change the agent for the
consolidated group, that members of
consolidated groups are generally large
corporations rather than small
businesses, and few small businesses
are likely to be members of a
consolidated group with a foreign
common parent as a result of a
transaction subject to section 7874 or a
section 953(d) election. Therefore, a
regulatory flexibility analysis is not
required. Pursuant to section 7805(f) of
the Code, these proposed regulations
have been submitted to the Chief
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
Business Administration for comment
on their impact on small business.
Comments and Requests for a Public
Hearing
Before these proposed regulations are
adopted as final regulations,
consideration will be given to any
written comments (a signed original and
eight (8) copies) or electronic comments
that are submitted timely to the IRS. The
IRS and Treasury Department
specifically request comments on the
clarity of the proposed rules and how
they may be made easier to understand.
All comments will be available for
public inspection and copying. A public
hearing may be scheduled if requested
in writing by any person that timely
submits written comments. If a public
hearing is scheduled, notice of the date,
time, and place for the public hearing
will be published in the Federal
Register.
Drafting Information
The principal author of these
regulations is Stephen R. Cleary of the
Office of Associate Chief Counsel
(Corporate). Other personnel from the
Treasury Department and the IRS
participated in their development.
List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1
Income taxes, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
Proposed Amendments to the
Regulations
Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is
proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 1—INCOME TAXES
Paragraph 1. The authority citation
for part 1 continues to read, in part, as
follows:
E:\FR\FM\14MRP1.SGM
14MRP1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 14, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13060-13062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3560]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-24121; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-248-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 replacing specified tie rods of the center
overhead stowage bins. This proposed AD results from manufacturer
analysis of the overhead storage bin support structure that
demonstrated that the capability of certain existing tie rods does not
meet emergency landing load requirements. We are proposing this AD to
prevent disintegration or detachment of the center overhead stowage
bins during an extreme forward load event, which could cause injury to
passengers and hinder emergency evacuation procedures.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 28, 2006.
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.
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.
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this
proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Gillespie, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6429; 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
24121; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-248-AD'' at the beginning 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 received 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
[[Page 13061]]
who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an
association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit https://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may 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 Docket Management System
receives them.
Discussion
We have received a report that a manufacturer tension test
demonstrated that the capability to meet emergency landing load
requirements was lower than predicted for some existing tie rods in the
support structure of the center overhead stowage bins on certain Model
747-400 airplanes. This condition, if not corrected, could result in
disintegration or detachment of the center overhead stowage bins during
an extreme forward load event, which could cause injury to passengers
and hinder emergency evacuation procedures.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-
3371, dated July 28, 2005. The service bulletin describes procedures
for replacing specified tie rods of the center overhead stowage bins
with new, improved tie rods that meet emergency landing load
requirements. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information is intended to 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. For this reason, we are proposing this AD,
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously, except as discussed under
``Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.''
Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin
Where Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3371 recommends
accomplishing the specified actions within 24 months, we have
determined that a compliance time of 60 months will be acceptable. In
developing an appropriate compliance time for this AD, we considered
the degree of urgency associated with the subject unsafe condition and
the average utilization of the affected fleet. In light of these
factors, we find that 60 months represents an appropriate interval of
time for affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising
safety. We have coordinated this difference with the manufacturer.
Clarification of Applicability
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3371 identifies certain
airplanes as having center overhead stowage bins; however, such an
airplane may have received an approved cargo conversion that removed
the center overhead stowage bins and tie rods. We have determined that
only airplanes identified in the service bulletin that actually have
center overhead stowage bins and associated tie rods installed are
affected by this proposed AD. We have clarified the applicability of
this proposed AD accordingly.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 380 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 62 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed actions, depending on whether an airplane
has tie rods on both sides or one side only, would take between 2 and 3
work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour.
Required parts would cost about $1,090 per tie rod replacement kit.
Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S.
operators is between $75,640 and $147,250, or between $1,220 and $2,375
per airplane.
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 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, 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2006-24121; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
248-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 28,
2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
[[Page 13062]]
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D series
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3371, dated July 28, 2005;
equipped with center overhead stowage bins.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report that a manufacturer tension
test demonstrated that the capability to meet emergency landing load
requirements was lower than predicted for some existing tie rods in
the support structure of the center overhead stowage bins on certain
Model 747-400 airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent
disintegration or detachment of the center overhead stowage bins
during an extreme forward load event, which could cause injury to
passengers and hinder evacuation procedures.
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.
Replace Tie Rods
(f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace specified tie rods of the center overhead stowage bins with
new, improved tie rods that meet emergency landing load
requirements, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-3371, dated July
28, 2005.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g)(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) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 3, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-3560 Filed 3-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P