AD 2014-20-07
Recurring
final rule
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 747-200C Series | Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | 747-200F Series | Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes |
Unsafe Condition
The upper deck floor beams are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD), the existing inspection program is not sufficient to maintain an acceptable level of safety, and the upper chords of the upper deck floor beam of section 42 are subject to cracking, which could lead to failure of the floor beams and consequent loss of controllability, rapid decompression, and loss of structural integrity of the airplane.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Inspect the upper chords of the upper deck floor beam of section 41 for cracking, and perform corrective actions if necessary. Replace the upper chords, straps (or angles), and radius fillers of certain upper deck floor beams in section 41. Add repetitive inspections of the upper chords of the upper deck floor beam of section 42, and perform repetitive replacements of the upper chords. Conduct post-replacement inspections for both sections 41 and 42, and take corrective actions if necessary.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
Within the compliance times specified in Table 1 of paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated April.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
All The Boeing Company Model 747-200C and -200F series airplanes, certificated in any category.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-03-05 for all the Boeing Company Model 747-200C and -200F series airplanes. AD 2010-03-05 required, for the upper chords of the upper deck floor beam of section 41, an inspection for cracking of certain fastener holes, and corrective action if necessary; and repetitive replacements of the upper chords, straps (or angles), and radius fillers of certain upper deck floor beams and, for any replacement that is done, inspections for cracking, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD adds repetitive inspections of the upper chords of the upper deck floor beam of Section 42, repetitive replacements of the upper chords, post- replacement inspections, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD also adds post-replacement inspections for section 41 and reduces certain compliance times. This AD was prompted by a determination that the upper deck floor beams are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD), the existing inspection program is not sufficient to maintain an acceptable level of safety, and the upper chords of the upper deck floor beam of section 42 are subject to the unsafe condition. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the upper chords and straps (or angles) of the floor beams, which could lead to failure of the floor beams and consequent loss of controllability, rapid decompression, and loss of structural integrity of the airplane.
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-200C and -
200F series airplanes, certificated in any category.
Document Text
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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 192 (Friday, October 3, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59633-59635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23377]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2014-0283; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-183-AD;
Amendment 39-17980; AD 2014-20-07]
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) 2010-03-05 for
all the Boeing Company Model 747-200C and -200F series airplanes. AD
2010-03-05 required, for the upper chords of the upper deck floor beam
of section 41, an inspection for cracking of certain fastener holes,
and corrective action if necessary; and repetitive replacements of the
upper chords, straps (or angles), and radius fillers of certain upper
deck floor beams and, for any replacement that is done, inspections for
cracking, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD adds
repetitive inspections of the upper chords of the upper deck floor beam
of Section 42, repetitive replacements of the upper chords, post-
replacement inspections, and corrective actions if necessary. This new
AD also adds post-replacement inspections for section 41 and reduces
certain compliance times. This AD was prompted by a determination that
the upper deck floor beams are subject to widespread fatigue damage
(WFD), the existing inspection program is not sufficient to maintain an
acceptable level of safety, and the upper chords of the upper deck
floor beam of section 42 are subject to the unsafe condition. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the upper chords and
straps (or angles) of the floor beams, which could lead to failure of
the floor beams and consequent loss of controllability, rapid
decompression, and loss of structural integrity of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective November 7, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 7,
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. 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-2014-
0283; 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: Roger Caldwell, Aerospace Engineer,
Technical Operations Center, ANM-100D, FAA, Denver Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 26805 East 68th Avenue, Room 214, Denver,
CO 80249; phone: 303-342-1086; fax: 303-342-1088; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3745585052451954565b5340525b5b7751565619505841"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="70021f1715025e13111c1407151c1c301611115e171f06">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 2010-03-05, Amendment 39-16188 (75 FR 5692,
February 4, 2010). AD 2010-03-05 applied to all The Boeing Company
Model 747-200C and -200F series airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on May 28, 2014 (79 FR 30486). The NPRM was prompted
by a determination that the upper deck floor beams are subject to WFD,
the existing inspection program is not sufficient to maintain an
acceptable level of safety, and the upper chords of the upper deck
floor beams in section 42 are subject to the identified unsafe
condition. The NPRM proposed to add post-replacement inspections for
section 41 and reduce certain compliance times. The NPRM also proposed
to add repetitive inspections of the upper chords of the upper deck
floor beams in section 42, repetitive replacements of the upper chords,
post-replacement inspections, and corrective action if necessary. We
are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the upper chords
and straps (or angles) of the floor beams, which could lead to failure
of the floor beams and consequent loss of controllability, rapid
decompression, and loss of structural integrity of the airplane.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We have considered the comment received. Boeing stated that it
concurs with the contents of the NPRM (79 FR 30486, May 28, 2014).
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment 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:
<bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (79 FR 30486, May 28, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
<bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 30486, May 28, 2014).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 25 airplanes of U.S. registry.
[[Page 59634]]
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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retained inspection and 663 work-hours x $0................ $56,355 per $1,408,875 per
replacement (AD 2010-03-05, $85 per hour = inspection/ inspection/
Amendment 39[dash]16188 (75 FR $56,355. replacement cycle. replacement
5692, February 4, 2010)). cycle.
New post-replacement Up to 525 work- $0................ $44,625........... Up to $1,115,625.
inspections--section 41. hours x $85 per
hour = $44,625
\1\.
New inspections, replacement, Up to 525 work- Manufacturer has $44,625........... Up to $1,115,625.
and post[dash]replacement hours x $85 per not provided cost
inspections--section 42. hour = $44,625 of parts.
\1\.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes time to manufacture parts.
We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2010-03-05, Amendment 39-16188 (75 FR 5692, February 4, 2010), and
adding the following new AD:
2014-20-07 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17980; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0283; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-183-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective November 7, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2010-03-05, Amendment 39-16188 (75 FR 5692,
February 4, 2010).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 747-200C and -
200F series airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that the upper deck
floor beams are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD), the
existing inspection program is not sufficient to maintain an
acceptable level of safety, and upper chords of the upper deck floor
beam of section 42 are subject to the unsafe condition. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the upper chords
and straps (or angles) of the floor beams, which could lead to
failure of the floor beams and consequent loss of controllability,
rapid decompression, and loss of structural integrity of the
airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Inspection and Replacement for the Upper Chords of the Upper Deck
Floor Beam of Section 41
At the applicable time specified in Table 1 of paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696,
Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012: At stations (STA) 340 through STA
440, STA 500, and STA 520, do an open-hole high frequency eddy
current (HFEC) inspection at all accessed fastener holes to detect
cracking; and install new upper deck floor beam upper chords,
straps, angles, and radius fillers; in accordance with Part 2 and
Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012.
(h) Post-Replacement Inspections and Replacements for the Upper Chords
of the Upper Deck Floor Beam of Section 41
At the applicable time specified in Table 2 of paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696,
Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012; or within 1,500 flight cycles
after March 11, 2010 (the effective date of AD 2010-03-05, Amendment
39-16188 (75 FR 5692, February 4, 2010)); whichever occurs later: Do
detailed and HFEC inspections to detect cracking of the replaced
upper deck floor beam chords, the floor panel attachment holes, and
the permanent fastener locations of the replaced upper deck floor
beam chords, in accordance
[[Page 59635]]
with Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012. If
no cracking is found, do the actions specified in paragraphs (h)(1)
and (h)(2) of this AD.
(1) Do the detailed and HFEC inspections of the replaced upper
deck floor beam chords within 3,000 flight cycles after the most
recent inspection, or within 300 flight cycles after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, and repeat thereafter at
the applicable time specified in Table 2 of paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696,
Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012.
(2) Do the open-hole HFEC inspection and chord replacement
required by paragraph (g) of this AD at the applicable time
specified in Table 2 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated April 12,
2012, or within 240 flight cycles after the effective date of this
AD, whichever occurs later. Repeat the inspections and replacement
specified in paragraph (h) of this AD at the applicable time
specified in Table 2 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated April 12,
2012.
(i) Inspection and Replacement for the Upper Chords of the Upper Deck
Floor Beam of Section 42
At the applicable time specified in Tables 3 and 4 of paragraph
1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696,
Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012, except as required by paragraph
(l) of this AD: Do the actions specified in paragraph (i)(1) or
(i)(2) of this AD as applicable.
(1) At STA 540 through STA 740 for Group 1 airplanes identified
in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated
April 12, 2012: Do an open-hole HFEC inspection to detect cracking,
and install new upper deck floor beam upper chord replacements, in
accordance with Part 7 and Part 8 of the Accomplishment Instructions
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated
April 12, 2012.
(2) At STA 540 through STA 780 for Group 2 airplanes identified
in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated
April 12, 2012: Do an open-hole HFEC inspection to detect cracking,
and install new upper deck floor beam upper chord replacements, in
accordance with Part 7 and Part 8 of the Accomplishment Instructions
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated
April 12, 2012.
(j) Post-Replacement Inspections and Replacement for the Upper Chords
of the Upper Deck Floor Beam of Section 42
At the applicable time specified in Table 5 of paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696,
Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012; or within 1,500 flight cycles
after March 11, 2010 (the effective date of AD 2010-03-05, Amendment
39-16188 (75 FR 5692, February 4, 2010)); whichever occurs later: Do
HFEC inspections to detect cracking of the replaced upper deck floor
beam chords, in accordance with Part 9 of the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision
1, dated April 12, 2012. If no crack is found, do the actions
specified in paragraphs (j)(1) and (j)(2) of this AD.
(1) Repeat the HFEC inspections of the replaced upper deck floor
beam chords thereafter at the applicable time specified Table 5 of
paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012.
(2) Do the open-hole HFEC inspection and chord replacement
required by paragraph (i) of this AD at the applicable time
specified in Table 5 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated April 12,
2012. Repeat the inspections and replacement, as specified in
paragraph (j) of this AD, at the applicable time specified in Table
5 of paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated April 12, 2012.
(k) Corrective Actions
If any cracking is found during any inspection required by this
AD, before further flight, repair using a method approved in
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (o) of this
AD.
(l) Exception to Service Information Specifications
Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, Revision 1,
dated April 12, 2012, specifies a compliance time ``after the
revision 1 date on this service bulletin,'' this AD requires
compliance within the specified compliance time ``after the
effective date of this AD.''
(m) Credit for Previous Actions
This paragraph provides credit for the installation of floor
beam replacements required by this AD, if those actions were
performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 747-53A2696, dated October 16, 2008. (This service
bulletin was incorporated by reference in AD 2010-03-05, Amendment
39-16188 (75 FR 5692, February 4, 2010)).
(n) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197
and 21.199), are not allowed.
(o) 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 persons identified in paragraph (p)(1) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#251c08646b6808764044515149400864666a0864686a66087740545040565156654344440b424a53"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="71485c303f3c5c22141005051d145c30323e5c303c3e325c2314000414020502311710105f161e07">[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.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair 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. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must
meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(p) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Nathan Weigand,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington
98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6428; fax: 425-917-6590; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4c222d38242d22623c623b29252b2d22280c2a2d2d622b233a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cea0afbaa6afa0e0bee0b9aba7a9afa0aa8ea8afafe0a9a1b8">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (q)(3) and (q)(4) of this AD.
(q) 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 747-53A2696, Revision 1, dated
April 12, 2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(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; 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. 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 September 20, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-23377 Filed 10-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 4, 2026
Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain
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