AD 2001-24-31 ACTIVE

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747 series airplanes, that requires performing a one-time inspection for chafing of certain electrical wire bundles behind the flight engineer's panel in the cockpit; repairing any chafed wire bundles, if necessary; and installing Teflon sleeving over the inspected wire bundles and rerouting them. This action is necessary to prevent burning of electrical wires, which could result in smoke in the cockpit and loss of function of several airplane systems. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

Final rule.

2001-24-31 Boeing: Amendment 39-12548. Docket 2001-NM-219-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model 747 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2118, Revision 3, dated June 24, 1999; 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 (c) 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 chafing and burning of electrical wires, which could result in smoke in the cockpit and loss of function of several airplane systems, accomplish the following: \n\nOne-Time Inspection and Follow-On Actions \n\n\t(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do a one-time detailed visual inspection for chafing of certain electrical wire bundles behind the P4 flight engineer's panel in the cockpit, according to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2118, Revision 3, dated June 24, 1999. If any chafing is found, before further flight, repair the chafed wire bundles according to the service bulletin. Before further flight following the inspection and repair, as applicable, wrap the electrical wire bundles with Teflon sleeving and reroute them, according to the service bulletin. \n\n\tNote 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual inspection is defined as: "An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area,system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required." \n\n\tNote 3: Inspections and follow-on actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD according to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24-2118, dated February 9, 1989; Revision 1, dated May 11, 1989; or Revision 2, dated December 21, 1989; are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions required by this AD. \n\nOperator's Comparable Procedure \n\n\t(b) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2118, Revision 3, dated June 24, 1999, specifies that certain procedures may be accomplished per an "operator's comparable procedure," the procedures must be accomplished per the applicable chapter of the Boeing 747 Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM) specified in the service bulletin. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance \n\n\t(c) 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 4: 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(d) 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(e) Except as required by paragraph (b) of this AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2118, Revision 3, dated June 24, 1999. 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(f) 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 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 23, 2001 (66 FR 38211). That action proposed to require performing a one-time inspection for chafing of certain electrical wire bundles behind the flight engineer's panel in the cockpit; repairing any chafed wire bundles, if necessary; and installing Teflon sleeving over the inspected wire bundles and rerouting them. \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\nRequest To Allow Use of Other Service Information \n\n\tThe commenter requests that the FAA revise the proposed AD to specify that accomplishment of the necessary actions according to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-24A2118, Revision 3, dated June 24, 1999, OR EARLIER REVISIONS, is acceptable for compliance. The commenter states that it has done the actions on its airplanes according to revisions of the service bulletin prior to Revision 3 and believes that this meets the intent of the proposed AD. \n\n\tThe FAA concurs and has added Note 3 to this final rule (and reordered subsequent notes accordingly) to state that inspections and follow-on actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD according to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-24-2118, dated February 9, 1989; Revision 1, dated May 11, 1989; or Revision 2, dated December 21, 1989; are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions required by this AD. \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 previously described. 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 443 Model 747 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 164 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The cost of required parts per airplane will be negligible. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $29,520, or $180 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 theAD. 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. Afinal 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:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Stephen Oshiro, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2793; fax (425) 227-1181.