AD 2014-05-31
final rule
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 747-400 Series | Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 747-400F Series | Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes |
Unsafe Condition
Water accumulation in the drip shield above the M826 cardfile can exit over the edge and contaminate electrical components, potentially causing an electrical short and loss of essential functions for safe flight.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Install modified drain tubes, relocate wire bundle routing, install a new drip shield and deflectors, and replace insulation blankets. For certain airplanes, also seal the drain slot, install spuds, and install drain tubes.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
Before further flight
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-08-25 that applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes. AD 2008-08-25 required installing drains and drain tubes to eliminate water accumulation in the drip shield above the M826 cardfile in the main equipment center. This new AD requires installing modified drain tubes, relocating wire bundle routing, installing a new drip shield and drip shield deflectors, and replacing insulation blankets. For certain airplanes, this new AD also concurrently requires sealing the drain slot, installing spuds, and installing drain tubes. This AD was prompted by reports of continued water damage to diode fire card 285U0072-1 in the M826 automatic fire overheat logic test system cardfile following a false FWD CARGO FIRE message, with no change in frequency, which resulted in an air turn back. We are issuing this AD to prevent water from exiting over the edge of the existing drip shield and contaminating electrical components in the M826 cardfile, which could result in an electrical short and potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight.
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes, certificated in
any category, as specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this
AD.
(1) Model 747-400F series airplanes, as identified in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3580, Revision 2, dated May 13, 2013.
(2) Model 747-400 series airplanes, as identified in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3581, Revision 1, dated June 30, 2011.
Document Text
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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17403-17405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05558]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0862; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-198-AD;
Amendment 39-17803; AD 2014-05-31]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-08-25
that applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and 747-400F
series airplanes. AD 2008-08-25 required installing drains and drain
tubes to eliminate water accumulation in the drip shield above the M826
cardfile in the main equipment center. This new AD requires installing
modified drain tubes, relocating wire bundle routing, installing a new
drip shield and drip shield deflectors, and replacing insulation
blankets. For certain airplanes, this new AD also concurrently requires
sealing the drain slot, installing spuds, and installing drain tubes.
This AD was prompted by reports of continued water damage to diode fire
card 285U0072-1 in the M826 automatic fire overheat logic test system
cardfile following a false FWD CARGO FIRE message, with no change in
frequency, which resulted in an air turn back. We are issuing this AD
to prevent water from exiting over the edge of the existing drip shield
and contaminating electrical components in the M826 cardfile, which
could result in an electrical short and potential loss of several
functions essential for safe flight.
DATES: This AD is effective May 2, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of May 2, 2014.
ADDRESSES: 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; telephone 206-544-
5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>. You may view this referenced service information
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,
Renton, WA 98057-3356. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2012-
0862; 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: Francis Smith, Aerospace Engineer,
Cabin Safety & Environmental Control Systems, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; phone: 425-917-6596; fax: 425-917-6590; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f09682919e939983de839d998498b0969191de979f86"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d8beaab9b6bbb1abf6abb5b1acb098beb9b9f6bfb7ae">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 2008-08-25, Amendment 39-15479 (73 FR 21240,
April 21, 2008). AD 2008-08-25 applied to certain The Boeing Company
Model 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on September 6, 2012 (77 FR 54854). The NPRM was
prompted by reports of continued water damage to diode fire card
285U0072-1 in the M826 automatic fire overheat logic test system
cardfile following a false FWD CARGO FIRE message, with no change in
frequency, which resulted in an air turn back. The NPRM proposed to
require installing drain tubes, relocating wire bundle routing,
installing a new drip shield and drip shield deflectors, and replacing
insulation blankets. For certain airplanes, the NPRM also proposed to
concurrently require sealing the drain slot, installing spuds, and
installing drain tubes. We are issuing this AD to prevent water from
exiting over the edge of the existing drip shield and contaminating
electrical components in the M826 cardfile, which could result in an
electrical short and potential loss of several functions essential for
safe flight.
Relevant Service Information
Since we issued the NPRM (77 FR 54854, September 6, 2012), we have
reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3580, Revision 2, dated
May 13, 2013. We referred to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3580,
Revision 1, dated July 14, 2011, as an appropriate source of service
information for accomplishing certain actions specified in the NPRM.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3580, Revision 2, dated May
13, 2013, among other changes, revises line number 1087 to 1332 for
group 1 airplanes to account for airplanes that had the drain tubes
installed in production, adds figures to account for actions required
by certain groups, adds brackets and rivets, and changes certain part
numbers of certain brackets.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3581, Revision 2, dated
September 11, 2012, among other things, clarifies wire routing, allows
for trimming of parts, and adds parts to the top kit.
We have added a new paragraph (i) to this final rule to allow for
credit for
[[Page 17404]]
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were
performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-25A3580, Revision 1, dated July 14, 2011, which is
not incorporated by reference in this AD. We have redesignated
subsequent paragraphs accordingly.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal
(77 FR 54854, September 6, 2012) and the FAA's response to each
comment.
Request To Use Latest Service Information
United Parcel Service (UPS) and Boeing requested that we revise the
NPRM (77 FR 54854, September 6, 2012) to replace Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-25A3581, Revision 1, dated June 30, 2011, with Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3581, Revision 2, dated September 11,
2012. UPS explained that Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3581,
Revision 2, dated September 11, 2012, revises the effectivity, and
includes changes, corrections, and clarifications to the work
instructions. UPS reasoned that in order to avoid additional efforts of
applying for, approving, and documenting alternative methods of
compliance for using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3581,
Revision 2, dated September 11, 2012, we should instead revise the NPRM
to incorporate Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3581, Revision 2,
dated September 11, 2012, which, according to Boeing, would change
paragraphs (c)(2), (g), and (h) of the NPRM.
We partially agree. We disagree with the request to change
paragraphs (c)(2) and (h) of this AD. Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-25A3581, Revision 2, dated September 11, 2012, adds one new
airplane to the effectivity and would require resubmittal of the NPRM
(77 FR 54854, September 6, 2012) for public comment on this change,
which would delay the publication of this final rule. To delay this
action would be inappropriate, since we have determined that an unsafe
condition exists and that the required actions must be conducted to
ensure continued safety. We might consider further rulemaking at a
later time to address the additional airplane. However, we do agree to
revise paragraph (g) of this AD by also referring to Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-25A3581, Revision 2, dated September 11, 2012, as
an appropriate method of compliance for the actions required by
paragraph (g) of this AD.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
<bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (77 FR 54854, September 6, 2012) for correcting the unsafe
condition; and
<bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 54854, September 6, 2012).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 38 airplanes of U.S. registry. We
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation, relocation, and Up to 23 work- Up to $8,887..... Up to $10,842.... Up to $411,996.
replacement. hours x $85 per
hour = $1,955.
Concurrent installation....... 8 work-hours x $1,801........... $2,481........... $94,278.
$85 per hour =
680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
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
We have determined that 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.
[[Page 17405]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD):
2008-08-25, Amendment 39-15479 (73 FR 21240, April 21, 2008), and
adding the following new AD:
2014-05-31 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17803; Docket No. FAA-
2012-0862; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-198-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective May 2, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD supersedes AD 2008-08-25, Amendment 39-15479 (73 FR
21240, April 21, 2008).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes, certificated in
any category, as specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this
AD.
(1) Model 747-400F series airplanes, as identified in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3580, Revision 2, dated May 13, 2013.
(2) Model 747-400 series airplanes, as identified in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3581, Revision 1, dated June 30, 2011.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
Furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of continued water damage to
diode fire card 285U0072-1 in the M826 automatic fire overheat logic
test system cardfile following a false FWD CARGO FIRE message, with
no change in frequency, which resulted in an air turn back. We are
issuing this AD to prevent water from exiting over the edge of the
existing drip shield and contaminating electrical components in the
M826 cardfile, which could result in an electrical short and
potential loss of several functions essential for safe flight.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Installation and Replacement
Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, install
aft and forward drain tubes, relocate wire bundle routing, install a
new drip shield and drip shield deflectors, and replace insulation
blankets, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the
service information identified in paragraph (g)(1), (g)(2), or
(g)(3); as applicable; of this AD.
(1) (For Model 747-400F series airplanes) Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-25A3580, Revision 2, dated May 13, 2013.
(2) (For Model 747-400 series airplanes) Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-25A3581, Revision 1, dated June 30, 2011.
(3) (For Model 747-400 series airplanes) Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-25A3581, Revision 2, dated September 11, 2012 (for
Model 747-400 series airplanes).
(h) Concurrent Actions
For Group 1 airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-25A3581, Revision 1, dated June 30, 2011: Prior to or
concurrently with the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD,
seal the drain slot, install spuds, and install left- and right-side
drain tubes, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3526, Revision 1, dated
February 20, 2009 (for Model 747-400 series airplanes), except as
specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD.
(1) Steps 1 through 5 of Figure 2 of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-25A3526, Revision 1, dated February 20, 2009, are not
required if work is being accomplished concurrently with the actions
specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3581, Revision 1,
dated June 30, 2011 (for Model 747-400 series airplanes).
(2) The portion of ``More Data'' in step 8 of Figure 3 of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3526, Revision 1, dated February 20,
2009, which says ``Attach drain tube and strap above bead on the
spud,'' is not required.
(i) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the
effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
25A3580, Revision 1, dated July 14, 2011, which is not incorporated
by reference in 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9aa3b7dbd4d7b7c9fffbeeeef6ffb7dbd9d5b7dbd7d5d9b7c8ffebefffe9eee9dafcfbfbb4fdf5ec"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="033a2e424d4e2e50666277776f662e42404c2e424e4c402e5166727666707770436562622d646c75">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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.
(k) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Francis Smith,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety & Environmental Control Systems,
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6596; fax:
425-917-6590; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3650445758555f4518455b5f425e7650575718515940"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c6a0b4a7a8a5afb5e8b5abafb2ae86a0a7a7e8a1a9b0">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference in this AD may be obtained at the
addresses specified in paragraphs (l)(3) and (l)(4) of this AD.
(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 747-25A3526, Revision 1, dated
February 20, 2009.
(ii) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3580, Revision 2, dated
May 13, 2013.
(iii) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3581, Revision 1, dated
June 30, 2011.
(iv) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-25A3581, Revision 2, dated
September 11, 2012.
(3) For Boeing 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;
telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet
<a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Transport
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356.
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: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 5, 2014.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-05558 Filed 3-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 6, 2026
Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain
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