39076 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 122 / Friday, June 23, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

Main Street, P. O. Box 9729, Stratford, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Regulatory Impact Connecticut 06497–9129, phone (203) 386– Kawaguchi, Aerospace Engineer, 7860, fax (203) 386–4703. Copies may be The regulations adopted herein will Branch, ANM–120S, FAA, not have a substantial direct effect on inspected at the FAA, Office of the Regional Transport Airplane Directorate, Seattle Counsel, Southwest Region, 2601 Meacham the States, on the relationship between Blvd., Room 663, Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Certification Office, 1601 Lind the national Government and the States, Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington or on the distribution of power and Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–1153; responsibilities among the various DC. fax (425) 227–1181. levels of government. Therefore, it is (f) This amendment becomes effective on SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A determined that this final rule does not July 28, 2000. proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal have federalism implications under Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, on June 8, Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to Executive Order 13132. 2000. include an airworthiness directive (AD) For the reasons discussed above, I Larry M. Kelly, that is applicable to certain Boeing certify that this action: (1) Is not a Acting Manager, Rotorcraft Directorate, Model 747 series airplanes was ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under Aircraft Certification Service. published in the Federal Register on Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a [FR Doc. 00–15309 Filed 6–22–00; 8:45 am] February 2, 2000 (65 FR 4900). That ‘‘significant rule’’ under DOT BILLING CODE 4910±13±U action proposed to require repetitive Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 inspections of the aft pressure bulkhead FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) to detect cracking, and repair, if will not have a significant economic DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION necessary. impact, positive or negative, on a Comments substantial number of small entities Federal Aviation Administration under the criteria of the Regulatory Interested persons have been afforded Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has 14 CFR Part 39 an opportunity to participate in the been prepared for this action and it is [Docket No. 99±NM±330±AD; Amendment making of this amendment. Due contained in the Rules Docket. A copy 39±11797; AD 2000±12±19] consideration has been given to the of it may be obtained from the Rules single comment received. RIN 2120±AA64 Docket at the location provided under The commenter supports the the caption ADDRESSES. proposed rule. Airworthiness Directives; Boeing List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Model 747 Series Airplanes Conclusion Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation AGENCY: Federal Aviation After careful review of the available safety, Incorporation by reference, Administration, DOT. data, including the comment noted Safety. ACTION: Final rule. above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the Adoption of the Amendment SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a adoption of the rule as proposed. Accordingly, pursuant to the new airworthiness directive (AD), authority delegated to me by the Cost Impact applicable to certain Boeing Model 747 Administrator, the Federal Aviation series airplanes, that requires repetitive There are approximately 552 Administration amends part 39 of the inspections of the aft pressure bulkhead airplanes of the affected design in the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR to detect cracking, and repair, if worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that part 39) as follows: necessary. This amendment is prompted 84 airplanes of U.S. registry will be by a report of fatigue cracking found in affected by this AD. PART 39ÐAIRWORTHINESS the upper half of the aft pressure It will take approximately 7 work DIRECTIVES bulkhead. The actions specified by this hours per airplane to accomplish the AD are intended to detect and correct required detailed visual inspection, at 1. The authority citation for part 39 cracking in the aft pressure bulkhead, the average labor rate of $60 per work continues to read as follows: which could result in rapid hour. Based on these figures, the cost Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. decompression of the or impact of the required detailed visual § 39.13 [Amended] overpressurization of the tail section. inspection on U.S. operators is DATES: Effective July 28, 2000. estimated to be $35,280, or $420 per 2. Section 39.13 is amended by The incorporation by reference of airplane, per inspection cycle. adding the following new airworthiness certain publications listed in the It will take approximately 7 work directive: regulations is approved by the Director hours per airplane to accomplish the 2000–12–19 Boeing: Amendment 39–11797. of the Federal Register as of July 28, required HFEC inspections, at the Docket 99–NM–330–AD. 2000. average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Applicability: Model 747 series airplanes, ADDRESSES: The service information Based on these figures, the cost impact as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin referenced in this AD may be obtained of the required HFEC inspections on 747–53A2425, dated October 29, 1998; from Boeing Commercial Airplane U.S. operators is estimated to be certificated in any category. Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, $35,280, or $420 per airplane, per Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane Washington 98124–2207. This inspection cycle. identified in the preceding applicability information may be examined at the The cost impact figures discussed provision, regardless of whether it has been Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), above are based on assumptions that no modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules operator has yet accomplished any of airplanes that have been modified, altered, or Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., the requirements of this AD action, and repaired so that the performance of the Renton, Washington; or at the Office of that no operator would accomplish requirements of this AD is affected, the the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol those actions in the future if this AD owner/operator must request approval for an Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. were not adopted. alternative method of compliance in

VerDate 112000 20:01 Jun 22, 2000 Jkt 190000 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\23JNR1.SGM pfrm01 PsN: 23JNR1 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 122 / Friday, June 23, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 39077 accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD. during any inspection required by paragraph Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, The request should include an assessment of (a), (b), or (c) of this AD: Prior to further DC. the effect of the modification, alteration, or flight, repair in accordance with Boeing Alert (j) This amendment becomes effective on repair on the unsafe condition addressed by Service Bulletin 747–53A2425, dated October July 28, 2000. this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not 29, 1998. Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 12, been eliminated, the request should include (e) If any cracking is detected during any 2000. specific proposed actions to address it. inspection required by paragraph (a), (b), or Donald L. Riggin, Compliance: Required as indicated, unless (c) of this AD, and Boeing Alert Service accomplished previously. Bulletin 747–53A2425, dated October 29, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane To detect and correct cracking in the aft 1998, specifies to contact Boeing for repair Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. pressure bulkhead, which could result in instructions: Repair any cracking, prior to [FR Doc. 00–15308 Filed 6–22–00; 8:45 am] further flight, in accordance with a method rapid decompression of the fuselage or BILLING CODE 4910±13±P overpressurization of the tail section, approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft accomplish the following: Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or in accordance with Initial and Repetitive Inspections data meeting the type certification basis of DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION the airplane approved by a Boeing Company (a) Except as provided by paragraph (f) of Federal Aviation Administration this AD, prior to the accumulation of 20,000 Designated Engineering Representative (DER) total flight cycles, or within 12 months after who has been authorized by the Manager, the effective date of this AD, whichever Seattle ACO, to make such findings. For a 14 CFR Part 39 occurs later, perform a detailed visual repair method to be approved by the inspection of the upper half of the aft Manager, Seattle ACO, as required by this [Docket No. 2000±NM±77±AD; Amendment pressure bulkhead to detect cracking, in paragraph, the approval letter must 39±11798; AD 2000±12±20] accordance with Figure 6 or 7, as applicable, specifically reference this AD. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– RIN 2120±AA64 Operator’s ‘‘Equivalent Procedure’’ 53A2425, dated October 29, 1998. Repeat the detailed visual inspection thereafter at (f) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin Airworthiness Directives; Model intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight cycles. 747–53A2425, dated October 29, 1998, A310 Series Airplanes For areas of the upper half of the aft pressure specifies that an inspection or a repair, as bulkhead that have been repaired previously, applicable, may be accomplished in AGENCY: Federal Aviation this detailed visual inspection may be accordance with an operator’s ‘‘equivalent Administration, DOT. deferred for up to 15,000 flight cycles after procedure’’: The inspection or repair, as ACTION: Final rule. accomplishment of the repair, as described in applicable, must be accomplished in the NOTE in paragraph 3.D. of the accordance with the applicable chapter of the SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a Accomplishment Instructions of the alert Maintenance Manual or the new airworthiness directive (AD), service bulletin. Boeing 747 Structural Repair Manual applicable to certain Airbus Model Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a specified in the alert service bulletin. A310 series airplanes, that requires detailed visual inspection is defined as: ‘‘An Alternative Methods of Compliance modification of the position 1 screw intensive visual examination of a specific jack. This amendment is prompted by structural area, system, installation, or (g) An alternative method of compliance or assembly to detect damage, failure, or adjustment of the compliance time that issuance of mandatory continuing irregularity. Available lighting is normally provides an acceptable level of safety may be airworthiness information by a foreign supplemented with a direct source of good used if approved by the Manager, Seattle civil airworthiness authority. The lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by ACO. Operators shall submit their requests actions specified by this AD are the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, through an appropriate FAA Principal intended to prevent fracture of the lead magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface Maintenance Inspector, who may add screw of the position 1 flap screw jack, cleaning and elaborate access procedures comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO. which could result in failure of the tie may be required.’’ bar and possible disconnection of the Note 3: Information concerning the (b) Except as provided by paragraph (f) of flap structure from the airplane. this AD, if no cracking is detected during the existence of approved alternative methods of initial detailed visual inspection required by compliance with this AD, if any, may be DATES: Effective July 28, 2000. paragraph (a) of this AD: Within 1,500 flight obtained from the Seattle ACO. The incorporation by reference of cycles after accomplishment of that certain publications listed in the inspection, perform a high frequency eddy Special Flight Permits regulations is approved by the Director current (HFEC) inspection of the upper and (h) Special flight permits may be issued in of the Federal Register as of July 28, lower halves of the aft pressure bulkhead to accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 2000. detect cracking, in accordance with Figure 8 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747– 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to ADDRESSES: The service information 53A2425, dated October 29, 1998. Repeat the a location where the requirements of this AD referenced in this AD may be obtained HFEC inspection thereafter at intervals not to can be accomplished. from Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point exceed 3,000 flight cycles. Incorporation by Reference Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, (c) Except as provided by paragraph (f) of France. This information may be (i) Except as provided by paragraphs (e) this AD, if any cracking is detected during examined at the Federal Aviation any inspection required by paragraph (a) of and (f) of this AD, the actions shall be done this AD: Prior to further flight, perform an in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Administration (FAA), Transport HFEC inspection of the upper and lower Bulletin 747–53A2425, dated October 29, Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, halves of the aft pressure bulkhead to detect 1998. This incorporation by reference was 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, cracking, in accordance with Figure 8 or 9, approved by the Director of the Federal Washington; or at the Office of the as applicable, of Boeing Alert Service Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Bulletin 747–53A2425, dated October 29, and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, 1998. Repeat the HFEC inspection thereafter FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: at intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight cycles. P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124– 2207. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Norman B. Martenson, Manager, Repair Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind International Branch, ANM–116, (d) Except as provided by paragraphs (e) Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 and (f) of this AD, if any cracking is detected Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

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