Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes, 19160-19162 [2021-07544]
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19160
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 13, 2021 / Proposed Rules
Engineer, Fort Worth ACO Branch, FAA,
10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Fort Worth, TX
76177; phone: 817–222–5538; email:
mahmood.g.shah@faa.gov.
Issued on April 7, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–07483 Filed 4–12–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2021–0258; Project
Identifier AD–2020–01565–T]
Examining the AD Docket
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing
Company Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model
747–400, 747–400D, and 747–400F
series airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by reports of burned Boeing
Material Specification (BMS) 8–39
urethane foam found in certain
locations on the airplane; investigation
revealed that the fire-retardant
properties degrade with age. This
proposed AD would require inspecting
the insulation blankets in certain areas
of the forward cargo compartment for
exposed BMS 8–39 urethane foam, not
encapsulated by a protective fire
resistant barrier, and for seal integrity,
and replacing the BMS 8–39 urethane
foam and seal if necessary. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by May 28, 2021.
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
https://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.
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:22 Apr 12, 2021
Jkt 253001
For service information identified in
this NPRM, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster
Blvd., MC 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA
90740–5600; telephone 562–797–1717;
internet https://
www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view
this referenced service information at
the FAA, Airworthiness Products
Section, Operational Safety Branch,
2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA.
For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 206–231–
3195. It is also available on the internet
at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA–2021–0258.
You may examine the AD docket on
the internet at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–
0258; or in person at Docket Operations
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The AD docket contains this NPRM, any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie
Linn, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety
and Environmental Systems Section,
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone and fax: 206–231–3584; email:
Julie.Linn@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send
your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2021–0258; Project Identifier AD–
2020–01565–T’’ at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments
reference a specific portion of the
proposal, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider
all comments received by the closing
date and may amend the proposal
because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business
Information (CBI) as described in the
following paragraph, and other
information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments
we receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report
summarizing each substantive verbal
contact we receive about this proposed
AD.
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important
that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each
page of your submission containing CBI
as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such
marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be
placed in the public docket of this
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to Julie Linn, Aerospace
Engineer, Cabin Safety and
Environmental Systems Section, FAA,
Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th
St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and
fax: 206–231–3584; email: Julie.Linn@
faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA
receives which is not specifically
designated as CBI will be placed in the
public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA has received reports of
burned BMS 8–39 urethane foam, a
material with fire-retardant properties.
Investigation revealed that the fireretardant properties degrade after five to
ten years, and degraded BMS 8–39
urethane foam can be a fuel source for
a fire if exposed to an ignition source.
Foam and tape are used to make a seal
at penetrations that go through the
insulation blankets. The type of foam
that is used, how that foam is installed,
and how it is taped are all equally
important for the integrity of the seal.
Previously issued service information
provided procedures for replacing the
BMS 8–39 urethane foam in most areas,
but it did not include an area between
body station (STA) 960 and STA 1000
on the left and right sides of the forward
cargo compartment. Degraded BMS 8–
39 urethane foam used in seals may fail
to maintain sufficient halon
concentrations in the cargo
compartments to extinguish or contain
fire or smoke, and may fail to prevent
penetration of fire or smoke in areas of
the airplane that are difficult to access
for fire and smoke detection or
suppression, which could result in loss
of control of the airplane.
Related AD
The FAA issued AD 2013–11–04,
Amendment 39–17464 (78 FR 33193,
E:\FR\FM\13APP1.SGM
13APP1
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 13, 2021 / Proposed Rules
June 4, 2013) (AD 2013–11–04), for
certain The Boeing Company airplanes,
including the same Model 747–400,
747–400D, and 747–400F series
airplanes identified in this NPRM. AD
2013–11–04 resulted from a report from
Boeing indicating that various areas of
the airplane (including flight deck and
cargo compartments) were assembled
with seals made of BMS 8–39 urethane
foam; operators subsequently reported
finding burned BMS 8–39 urethane
foam in those locations. AD 2013–11–04
requires replacing certain seals made of
BMS 8–39 urethane foam. AD 2013–11–
04 resulted from operator or in-service
reports of burned BMS 8–39 urethane
foam, and a report from the airplane
manufacturer indicating that airplanes
were assembled, throughout various
areas of the airplane (including flight
deck and cargo compartments), with
seals made of BMS 8–39 urethane foam.
The FAA issued AD 2013–11–04 to
address the failure of urethane seals to
maintain sufficient halon concentrations
in the cargo compartments to extinguish
or contain fire or smoke, and to prevent
penetration of fire or smoke in areas of
the airplane that are difficult to access
for fire and smoke detection or
suppression.
This NPRM does not propose to
supersede AD 2013–11–04. Rather, the
FAA has determined that a stand-alone
AD would be more appropriate because
the expanded inspection area applies
only to Model 747–400, 747–400D, and
747–400F series airplanes, a small
subset of the applicability of AD 2013–
11–04.
Related Service Information Under 1
CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing
Requirements Bulletin 747–25–3725 RB,
dated October 27, 2020. The service
information describes procedures for
doing a general visual inspection of the
insulation blankets in the area between
STA 960 and STA 1000 on the left and
right sides of the forward cargo
compartment for exposed BMS 8–39
urethane foam, not encapsulated by a
protective fire resistant barrier, and seal
integrity, and replacing any BMS 8–39
urethane foam that is found exposed
and any seal that does not have
acceptable integrity for a smoke barrier.
This service information is reasonably
available because the interested parties
have access to it through their normal
course of business or by the means
identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA’s Determination
The FAA is proposing this AD
because the agency evaluated all the
relevant information and determined
the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop
in other products of the same type
design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require
accomplishment of the actions
identified in Boeing Requirements
Bulletin 747–25–3725 RB, described
previously, except for any differences
identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this proposed AD.
19161
For information on the procedures
and compliance times, see this service
information at https://
www.regulations.gov by searching for
and locating Docket No. FAA–2021–
0258.
Explanation of Requirements Bulletin
The FAA worked in conjunction with
industry, under the Airworthiness
Directive Implementation Aviation
Rulemaking Committee (AD ARC), to
enhance the AD system. One
enhancement is a process for annotating
which steps in the service information
are ‘‘required for compliance’’ (RC) with
an AD. Boeing has implemented this RC
concept into Boeing service bulletins.
In an effort to further improve the
quality of ADs and AD-related Boeing
service information, a joint process
improvement initiative was worked
between the FAA and Boeing. The
initiative resulted in the development of
a new process in which the service
information more clearly identifies the
actions needed to address the unsafe
condition in the ‘‘Accomplishment
Instructions.’’ The new process results
in a Boeing Requirements Bulletin,
which contains only the actions needed
to address the unsafe condition (i.e.,
only the RC actions).
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed
AD affects 109 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs
to comply with this proposed AD:
ESTIMATED COSTS FOR REQUIRED ACTIONS
Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per
product
Cost on U.S.
operators
Inspection ................................
3 work-hours × $85 per hour = $255 .....................................
$0
$255
$27,795
The FAA estimates the following
costs to do any necessary on-condition
actions that would be required. The
FAA has no way of determining the
number of aircraft that might need these
on-condition actions:
ESTIMATED COSTS OF ON-CONDITION ACTIONS
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per
product
1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 per finding ..................................................................................................
Minimal .............
$85 per finding.
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
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
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17:21 Apr 12, 2021
Jkt 253001
detail the scope of the Agency’s
authority.
The FAA is 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
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
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
E:\FR\FM\13APP1.SGM
13APP1
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 13, 2021 / Proposed Rules
develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA 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 this proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate
aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive:
■
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA–
2021–0258; Project Identifier AD–2020–
01565–T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) action by May
28, 2021.
jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company
Model 747–400, 747–400D, and 747–400F
series airplanes, certificated in any category,
as identified in Boeing Requirements Bulletin
747–25–3725 RB, dated October 27, 2020.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of
America Code 25, Equipment/furnishings.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:22 Apr 12, 2021
Jkt 253001
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of
burned Boeing Material Specification (BMS)
8–39 urethane foam found in certain
locations on the airplane; investigation
revealed that the fire-retardant properties
degrade with age. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address degraded BMS 8–39 urethane
foam used in seals, which may fail to
maintain sufficient halon concentrations in
the cargo compartments to extinguish or
contain fire or smoke, and may fail to prevent
penetration of fire or smoke in areas of the
airplane that are difficult to access for fire
and smoke detection or suppression, which
could result in loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this
AD: At the applicable times specified in the
‘‘Compliance’’ paragraph of Boeing
Requirements Bulletin 747–25–3725 RB,
dated October 27, 2020, do all applicable
actions identified in, and in accordance with,
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Requirements Bulletin 747–25–3725 RB,
dated October 27, 2020.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for
accomplishing the actions required by this
AD can be found in Boeing Service Bulletin
747–25–3725, dated October 27, 2020, which
is referred to in Boeing Requirements
Bulletin 747–25–3725 RB, dated October 27,
2020.
(h) Exception to Service Information
Specifications
Where Boeing Requirements Bulletin 747–
25–3725 RB, dated October 27, 2020, uses the
phrase ‘‘after the Original Issue date of
Requirements Bulletin 747–25–3725 RB,’’
this AD requires using ‘‘the effective date of
this AD.’’
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch,
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 responsible Flight
Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the
certification office, send it to the attention of
the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of
this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9ANM-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 responsible Flight Standards Office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable
level of safety may be used for any repair,
modification, or alteration required by this
AD if it is approved by The Boeing Company
Organization Designation Authorization
(ODA) that has been authorized by the
Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, FAA, to make
those findings. To be approved, the repair
method, modification deviation, or alteration
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Frm 00011
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
deviation must meet the certification basis of
the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD,
contact Julie Linn, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems
Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone and fax: 206–231–3584; email:
Julie.Linn@faa.gov.
(2) For service information identified in
this AD, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd.,
MC 110–SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740–5600;
telephone 562–797–1717; internet https://
www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this
referenced service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call
206–231–3195.
Issued on March 30, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021–07544 Filed 4–12–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Indian Affairs
25 CFR Part 1187
[212A2100DD/AAKC001030/
A0A501010.999900]
RIN 1076–AF63
Indian Business Incubators Program
Office of the Assistant
Secretary, Indian Affairs, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The Office of Indian Energy
and Economic Development (IEED)
proposes a new regulation to implement
the recently enacted Native American
Business Incubators Program Act. The
Indian Business Incubators Program
(IBIP), also known as the Native
American Business Incubators Program,
is a program in which IEED provides
competitive grants to eligible applicants
to establish and operate business
incubators that serve Tribal reservation
communities. These regulations
establish who is eligible for the
program, how to apply, how IEED will
evaluate applications and make awards,
and how IEED will administer the
program.
SUMMARY:
Please submit your comments by
June 14, 2021. Tribal consultation
sessions to discuss this rule will be held
on May 12 and 13, 2021, at 1 p.m. ET.
DATES:
E:\FR\FM\13APP1.SGM
13APP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 13, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19160-19162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07544]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0258; Project Identifier AD-2020-01565-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F
series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of burned
Boeing Material Specification (BMS) 8-39 urethane foam found in certain
locations on the airplane; investigation revealed that the fire-
retardant properties degrade with age. This proposed AD would require
inspecting the insulation blankets in certain areas of the forward
cargo compartment for exposed BMS 8-39 urethane foam, not encapsulated
by a protective fire resistant barrier, and for seal integrity, and
replacing the BMS 8-39 urethane foam and seal if necessary. The FAA is
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 28,
2021.
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 https://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.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS),
2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600;
telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0258.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0258; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julie Linn, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin
Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3584;
email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0258; Project Identifier
AD-2020-01565-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
the proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments we receive, without change, to
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Julie
Linn, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems
Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3584; email: [email protected]. Any
commentary that the FAA receives which is not specifically designated
as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA has received reports of burned BMS 8-39 urethane foam, a
material with fire-retardant properties. Investigation revealed that
the fire-retardant properties degrade after five to ten years, and
degraded BMS 8-39 urethane foam can be a fuel source for a fire if
exposed to an ignition source. Foam and tape are used to make a seal at
penetrations that go through the insulation blankets. The type of foam
that is used, how that foam is installed, and how it is taped are all
equally important for the integrity of the seal. Previously issued
service information provided procedures for replacing the BMS 8-39
urethane foam in most areas, but it did not include an area between
body station (STA) 960 and STA 1000 on the left and right sides of the
forward cargo compartment. Degraded BMS 8-39 urethane foam used in
seals may fail to maintain sufficient halon concentrations in the cargo
compartments to extinguish or contain fire or smoke, and may fail to
prevent penetration of fire or smoke in areas of the airplane that are
difficult to access for fire and smoke detection or suppression, which
could result in loss of control of the airplane.
Related AD
The FAA issued AD 2013-11-04, Amendment 39-17464 (78 FR 33193,
[[Page 19161]]
June 4, 2013) (AD 2013-11-04), for certain The Boeing Company
airplanes, including the same Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F
series airplanes identified in this NPRM. AD 2013-11-04 resulted from a
report from Boeing indicating that various areas of the airplane
(including flight deck and cargo compartments) were assembled with
seals made of BMS 8-39 urethane foam; operators subsequently reported
finding burned BMS 8-39 urethane foam in those locations. AD 2013-11-04
requires replacing certain seals made of BMS 8-39 urethane foam. AD
2013-11-04 resulted from operator or in-service reports of burned BMS
8-39 urethane foam, and a report from the airplane manufacturer
indicating that airplanes were assembled, throughout various areas of
the airplane (including flight deck and cargo compartments), with seals
made of BMS 8-39 urethane foam. The FAA issued AD 2013-11-04 to address
the failure of urethane seals to maintain sufficient halon
concentrations in the cargo compartments to extinguish or contain fire
or smoke, and to prevent penetration of fire or smoke in areas of the
airplane that are difficult to access for fire and smoke detection or
suppression.
This NPRM does not propose to supersede AD 2013-11-04. Rather, the
FAA has determined that a stand-alone AD would be more appropriate
because the expanded inspection area applies only to Model 747-400,
747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes, a small subset of the
applicability of AD 2013-11-04.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3725 RB, dated
October 27, 2020. The service information describes procedures for
doing a general visual inspection of the insulation blankets in the
area between STA 960 and STA 1000 on the left and right sides of the
forward cargo compartment for exposed BMS 8-39 urethane foam, not
encapsulated by a protective fire resistant barrier, and seal
integrity, and replacing any BMS 8-39 urethane foam that is found
exposed and any seal that does not have acceptable integrity for a
smoke barrier. This service information is reasonably available because
the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is proposing this AD because the agency evaluated all the
relevant information and determined the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same
type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions
identified in Boeing Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3725 RB, described
previously, except for any differences identified as exceptions in the
regulatory text of this proposed AD.
For information on the procedures and compliance times, see this
service information at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0258.
Explanation of Requirements Bulletin
The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the
Airworthiness Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee
(AD ARC), to enhance the AD system. One enhancement is a process for
annotating which steps in the service information are ``required for
compliance'' (RC) with an AD. Boeing has implemented this RC concept
into Boeing service bulletins.
In an effort to further improve the quality of ADs and AD-related
Boeing service information, a joint process improvement initiative was
worked between the FAA and Boeing. The initiative resulted in the
development of a new process in which the service information more
clearly identifies the actions needed to address the unsafe condition
in the ``Accomplishment Instructions.'' The new process results in a
Boeing Requirements Bulletin, which contains only the actions needed to
address the unsafe condition (i.e., only the RC actions).
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 109 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with
this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection........................ 3 work-hours x $85 per $0 $255 $27,795
hour = $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required. The FAA has no way of
determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition
actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = Minimal............. $85 per finding.
$85 per finding.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
The FAA is 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
[[Page 19162]]
develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA 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 this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2021-0258; Project Identifier AD-
2020-01565-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) action by May 28, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400D,
and 747-400F series airplanes, certificated in any category, as
identified in Boeing Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3725 RB, dated
October 27, 2020.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of burned Boeing Material
Specification (BMS) 8-39 urethane foam found in certain locations on
the airplane; investigation revealed that the fire-retardant
properties degrade with age. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
degraded BMS 8-39 urethane foam used in seals, which may fail to
maintain sufficient halon concentrations in the cargo compartments
to extinguish or contain fire or smoke, and may fail to prevent
penetration of fire or smoke in areas of the airplane that are
difficult to access for fire and smoke detection or suppression,
which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing
Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3725 RB, dated October 27, 2020, do all
applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Requirements Bulletin 747-25-
3725 RB, dated October 27, 2020.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-25-
3725, dated October 27, 2020, which is referred to in Boeing
Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3725 RB, dated October 27, 2020.
(h) Exception to Service Information Specifications
Where Boeing Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3725 RB, dated October
27, 2020, uses the phrase ``after the Original Issue date of
Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3725 RB,'' this AD requires using ``the
effective date of this AD.''
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office,
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of
the certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be
emailed to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD
if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle
ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair
method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet
the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Julie Linn,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section,
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone and fax: 206-231-3584; email: [email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
Issued on March 30, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-07544 Filed 4-12-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
