AD 2001-24-30

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-200C and -200F series airplanes, that requires installation of drip shields over certain shelves in the main equipment bay. This action is necessary to prevent water from dripping through floor panels of the main deck cargo bay onto wire bundles and electronic components, which could lead to the loss of function of multiple electronic components and, consequently, could reduce the flight crew's ability to operate in adverse conditions. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

Final rule.

2001-24-30 Boeing: Amendment 39-12547. Docket 2001-NM-218-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model 747-200C and -200F series airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-38A2073, Revision 2, dated April 26, 2001; certificated in any category. \n\n\tNote 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it. \n\n\tCompliance:Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo prevent water from dripping through certain floor panels of the main deck cargo bay onto wire bundles and electronic components, which could lead to the loss of function of multiple electronic components and, consequently, could reduce the flight crew's ability to operate in adverse conditions, accomplish the following: \n\nInstallation of Drip Shields \n\n\t(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, install drip shields (including drip pan assembly, drain tubing, and attaching hardware) over the forward, outboard halves of the E1-1 and E3-1 shelves in the main equipment bay, according to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-38A2073, Revision 2, dated April 26, 2001. \n\n\tNote 2: Installation done prior to the effective date of this AD according to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-38-2073, dated November 30, 1989, or Revision 1, dated June 21, 1990, is acceptable for compliance with corresponding actions in paragraph(a) of this AD. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance \n\n\t(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO. \n\n\tNote 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Seattle ACO. \n\nSpecial Flight Permits \n\n\t(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. \n\nIncorporation by Reference \n\n\t(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-38A2073, Revision 2, dated April 26, 2001. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. \n\nEffective Date \n\n\t(e) This amendment becomes effective on January 16, 2002.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-200C and -200F series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 23, 2001 (66 FR 38209). That action proposed to require installation of drip shields over certain shelves in the main equipment bay. \n\nComments \n\n\tInterested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the single comment received. \n\n\tThe commenter supports the proposed rule, including the proposed 18-month compliance time. The commenter states that this is the minimum compliance time that will allow sufficient time for the proposed installation to be accomplished on affected airplanes. \n\nExplanation of Changes to Proposed Rule \n\n\tNote 2 of this final rule has been revised to correct an error in the reference to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-38-2073. \n\n\tAlso, the statement of unsafe condition in the "Summary" section and preceding the requirements of this AD have been revised to clarify that this AD concerns floor panels of the main deck cargo bay. \n\nConclusion \n\n\tAfter careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD. \n\nCost Impact \n\n\tThere are approximately 59 Model 747-200C and -200F series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 21 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 32 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $4,497 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $134,757, or $6,417 per airplane. \n\n\tThe cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions. \n\nRegulatory Impact \n\n\tThe regulations adopted herein 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.Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. \n\n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. \n\nAdoption of the Amendment \n\n\tAccordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n\t1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: