Rule2021-15027
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
July 15, 2021
Effective
August 19, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of burned Boeing Material Specification (BMS) 8-39 urethane foam found in certain locations on the airplane; investigation revealed that the fire-retardant properties degrade with age. This AD requires inspecting the insulation blankets in certain areas of the forward cargo compartment for exposed BMS 8-39 urethane foam, not encapsulated by a protective fire resistant barrier, and for seal integrity, and replacing the BMS 8-39 urethane foam and seal if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 133 (Thursday, July 15, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 133 (Thursday, July 15, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37224-37226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15027]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0258; Project Identifier AD-2020-01565-T;
Amendment 39-21637; AD 2021-14-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of burned Boeing Material
Specification (BMS) 8-39 urethane foam found in certain locations on
the airplane; investigation revealed that the fire-retardant properties
degrade with age. This AD requires inspecting the insulation blankets
in certain areas of the forward cargo compartment for exposed BMS 8-39
urethane foam, not encapsulated by a protective fire resistant barrier,
and for seal integrity, and replacing the BMS 8-39 urethane foam and
seal if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective August 19, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 19,
2021.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA
90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>. You may view this service information at the
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available at
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2021-0258.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0258; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket
Operations is 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: Julie Linn, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin
Safety and Environmental Systems Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone and fax: 206-231-3584;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#501a253c39357e1c393e3e103631317e373f26"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e4ae91888d81caa88d8a8aa4828585ca838b92">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing
Company Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes. The
NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 13, 2021 (86 FR 19160).
The NPRM was prompted by reports of burned BMS 8-39 urethane foam found
in certain locations on the airplane; investigation revealed that the
fire-retardant properties degrade with age. In the NPRM, the FAA
proposed to require inspecting the insulation blankets in certain areas
of the forward cargo compartment for exposed BMS 8-39 urethane foam,
not encapsulated by a protective fire resistant barrier, and for seal
integrity, and replacing the BMS 8-39 urethane foam and seal if
necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address degraded BMS 8-39
urethane foam used in seals, which may fail to maintain sufficient
halon concentrations in the cargo compartments to extinguish or contain
fire or smoke, and may fail to prevent penetration of fire or smoke in
areas of the airplane that are difficult to access for fire and smoke
detection or suppression, which could result in loss of control of the
airplane.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from Air Line Pilots Association,
International (ALPA), who supported the NPRM without change.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as
proposed. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as
proposed in the NPRM.
[[Page 37225]]
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin
747-25-3725 RB, dated October 27, 2020. This service information
specifies procedures for doing a general visual inspection of the
insulation blankets in the area between station (STA) 960 and STA 1000
on the left and right sides of the forward cargo compartment for
exposed BMS 8-39 urethane foam, not encapsulated by a protective fire
resistant barrier, and seal integrity, and replacing any BMS 8-39
urethane foam that is found exposed and any seal that does not have
acceptable integrity for a smoke barrier. This service information is
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in
the ADDRESSES section.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 109 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspection............................ 3 work-hours x $85 per $0 $255 $27,795
hour = $255.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that are required. The FAA has no way of determining
the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:
Estimated Costs of On-Condition Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 per Minimal....................... $85 per finding.
finding.
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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.
The FAA is 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
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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2021-14-10 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-21637; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0258; Project Identifier AD-2020-01565-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 19, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400, 747-400D,
and 747-400F series airplanes, certificated in any category, as
identified in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 747-25-
3725 RB, dated October 27, 2020.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 25, Equipment/
furnishings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of burned Boeing Material
Specification (BMS) 8-39 urethane foam found in certain locations on
the airplane; investigation revealed that the fire-retardant
properties degrade with age. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
degraded BMS 8-39 urethane foam used in seals, which may fail to
maintain sufficient halon concentrations in the cargo compartments
to extinguish or contain fire or smoke, and may fail to prevent
penetration of fire or smoke in areas of the airplane that are
difficult to access for fire and smoke detection or suppression,
which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
[[Page 37226]]
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the
applicable times specified in the ``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing
Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3725 RB, dated
October 27, 2020, do all applicable actions identified in, and in
accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3725 RB, dated October 27,
2020.
Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions
required by this AD can be found in Boeing Special Attention Service
Bulletin 747-25-3725, dated October 27, 2020, which is referred to
in Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3725 RB,
dated October 27, 2020.
(h) Exception to Service Information Specifications
Where Boeing Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3725
RB, dated October 27, 2020, uses the phrase ``after the Original
Issue date of Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3725 RB,'' this AD
requires using ``the effective date of this AD.''
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO Branch, 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 responsible Flight Standards Office,
as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of
the certification office, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6a53472b242747390f0b1e1e060f472b2925472b27252947380f1b1f0f191e192a0c0b0b440d051c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5e67731f1013730d3b3f2a2a323b731f1d11731f13111d730c3b2f2b3b2d2a2d1e383f3f70393128">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD
if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle
ACO Branch, FAA, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair
method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet
the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must
specifically refer to this AD.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Julie Linn,
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Section,
FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198;
phone and fax: 206-231-3584; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bef4cbd2d7db90f2d7d0d0fed8dfdf90d9d1c8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b7fdc2dbded299fbded9d9f7d1d6d699d0d8c1">[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 (k)(3) and (4) of this AD.
(k) 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 Special Attention Requirements Bulletin 747-25-3725
RB, dated October 27, 2020.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet <a href="https://www.myboeingfleet.com">https://www.myboeingfleet.com</a>.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(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, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6a0c0f0e180f0d44060f0d0b062a040b180b440d051c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e88e8d8c9a8d8fc6848d8f8984a886899a89c68f879e">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on June 25, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-15027 Filed 7-14-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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