81 FR 65872 - Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 186 (September 26, 2016)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. This AD was prompted by several reports of chafing of the wire bundles inside the electrical conduit of the forward and aft boost pumps of the numbers 1 and 4 main fuel tanks due to high vibration. These wire bundles can chafe through the wire sleeving into the insulation, exposing the wire conductors. This AD requires replacing the wire bundles inside the electrical conduit of the forward and aft boost pumps of the numbers 1 and 4 main fuel tanks with new, improved wire bundles inserted into conduit liners. This AD also requires adding a revision to the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to include critical design configuration control limitations (CDCCLs) for the fuel boost pump wiring. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the wire bundles and subsequent arcing between the wiring and the electrical conduit creating an ignition source in the fuel tanks, which could result in a fire and consequent fuel tank explosion.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 186 (Monday, September 26, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65872-65874]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22188]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0935; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-243-AD; 
Amendment 39-18652; AD 2016-19-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 
747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 
747SP series airplanes. This AD was prompted by several reports of 
chafing of the wire bundles inside the electrical conduit of the 
forward and aft boost pumps of the numbers 1 and 4 main fuel tanks due 
to high vibration. These wire bundles can chafe through the wire 
sleeving into the insulation, exposing the wire conductors. This AD 
requires replacing the wire bundles inside the electrical conduit of 
the forward and aft boost pumps of the numbers 1 and 4 main fuel tanks 
with new, improved wire bundles inserted into conduit liners. This AD 
also requires adding a revision to the maintenance or inspection 
program, as applicable, to include critical design configuration 
control limitations (CDCCLs) for the fuel boost pump wiring. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the wire bundles and subsequent 
arcing between the wiring and the electrical conduit creating an 
ignition source in the fuel tanks, which could result in a fire and 
consequent fuel tank explosion.

DATES: This AD is effective October 31, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 31, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services 
Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone: 
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax: 206-766-5680; Internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service information 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0935.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0935; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tung Tran, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6505; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to 
amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The 
Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-
200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP 
series airplanes. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on March 
8, 2016 (81 FR 12041) (``the SNPRM''). We preceded the SNPRM with a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that published in the Federal 
Register on May 1, 2015 (80 FR 24850) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM proposed 
to require replacing the wire bundles inside the electrical conduit of 
the forward and aft boost pumps of the numbers 1 and 4 main fuel tanks 
with new, improved wire bundles inserted into conduit liners. The NPRM 
was prompted by several reports of chafing of the wire bundles inside 
the electrical conduit of the forward and aft boost pumps of the 
numbers 1 and 4 main fuel tanks due to high vibration. These wire 
bundles can chafe through the wire sleeving into the insulation, 
exposing the wire conductors. The SNPRM proposed to require a revision 
to the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to include 
CDCCLs for the fuel boost pump wiring. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent chafing of the wire bundles and subsequent arcing between the 
wiring and the electrical conduit creating an ignition source in the 
fuel tanks, which could result in a fire and consequent fuel tank 
explosion.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comments received. The Air Line Pilots 
Association International, Boeing, and United Airlines supported the 
SNPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
SNPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the SNPRM.

[[Page 65873]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed the following service information:
     Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-28A2306, dated October 
2, 2014. The service information describes procedures for replacing the 
wire bundles of the electrical conduit inside the electrical conduit of 
the forward and aft boost pumps of the numbers 1 and 4 main fuel tanks.
     Boeing 747-100/200/300/SP Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) 
and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), Document D6-13747-
CMR, Revision June 2014. Among other things, Document D6-13747-CMR 
describes CDCCL AWL No. 28-AWL-24 for the fuel boost pump wiring.
     Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), of Boeing 747-400 
Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document D621U400-9, Revision June 
2014. Among other things, Section 9 describes CDCCL AWL No. 28-AWL-35 
for the fuel boost pump wiring.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 176 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement......................  Up to 53                     $4,600  Up to $9,105.......  Up to $1,602,480.
                                    work[dash]hours x
                                    $85 per hour =
                                    $4,505.
Revise maintenance or inspection   1 work-hour x $85                $0  $85................  $14,960.
 program.                           per hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 (AD):

2016-19-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18652; Docket No. FAA-
2015-0935; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-243-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective October 31, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2011-15-03, Amendment 39-16750 (76 FR 41659, 
July 15, 2011). (``AD 2011-15-03'')

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-100, 747-100B, 
747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-
400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, certificated in 
any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
28A2306, dated October 2, 2014.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by several reports of chafing of the wire 
bundles inside the electrical conduit of the forward and aft boost 
pumps of the numbers 1 and 4 main fuel tanks due to high vibration. 
These wire bundles can chafe through the wire sleeving into the 
insulation, exposing the wire conductors. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent chafing of the wire bundles and subsequent arcing between 
the wiring and the electrical conduit creating an ignition source in 
the fuel tanks, which could result in a fire and consequent fuel 
tank explosion.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Replacement

    Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace 
the wire bundles inside the electrical conduit of the forward and 
aft boost pumps of the numbers 1 and 4 main fuel tanks with new, 
improved wire bundles inserted into conduit liners, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-28A2306, dated October 2, 2014. Accomplishing the 
replacement required by this paragraph terminates the inspections 
required by paragraphs (g), (h), and (n) of AD 2011-15-03.

[[Page 65874]]

(h) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision

    Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate 
critical design configuration control limitation (CDCCL) 
Airworthiness Limitation (AWL) No. 28-AWL-24, ``Fuel Boost Pump 
Wires In Conduit Installation--In Fuel Tank,'' of Sub-section C.1, 
``Fuel Tank Ignition Prevention,'' of Section C., ``Airworthiness 
Limitations--Systems,'' of the Boeing 747-100/200/300/SP 
Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance 
Requirements (CMRs) Document D6-13747-CMR, Revision June 2014; or 
CDCCL AWL No. 28-AWL-35, ``Fuel Boost Pump Wires In Conduit 
Installation--In Fuel Tank,'' of Sub-section B.1, ``Fuel System 
Ignition Prevention,'' of Section B, ``Airworthiness Limitations 
(AWLs)--Systems,'' of Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) 
and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), of Boeing 747-400 
Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document D621U400-9, Revision June 
2014; as applicable.

(i) No Alternative Actions, Intervals, and/or CDCCLs

    After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (h) of 
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, and/
or CDCCLs may be used unless the actions, intervals, and/or CDCCLs 
are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this 
AD.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(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 local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district 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 Commercial Airplanes Organization 
Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the 
Manager, Seattle ACO, 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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Tung Tran, Aerospace 
Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6505; fax: 425-
917-6590; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-28A2306, dated October 2, 
2014.
    (ii) Boeing 747-100/200/300/SP Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) 
and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs) Document D6-13747-
CMR, Revision June 2014.
    (iii) Section 9, Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and 
Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), of Boeing 747-400 
Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document D621U400-9, Revision June 
2014.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; phone: 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax: 206-766-5680; Internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.>

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 6, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-22188 Filed 9-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P