Rule2022-00585
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
January 18, 2022
Effective
February 22, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of burned Boeing Material Specification (BMS) 8-39 urethane foam, and a report from the airplane manufacturer that airplanes were assembled with seals throughout various areas of the airplane (including flight deck and cargo compartments) made of BMS 8-39 urethane foam, a material with fire- retardant properties that deteriorate with age. This AD requires replacing the system tube/wire seals made of BMS 8-39 urethane foam in certain areas of the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 11 (Tuesday, January 18, 2022)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 11 (Tuesday, January 18, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2532-2534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00585]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0794; Project Identifier AD-2021-00400-T;
Amendment 39-21869; AD 2021-26-10]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400, -400D, and -400F series
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of burned Boeing Material
Specification (BMS) 8-39 urethane foam, and a report from the airplane
manufacturer that airplanes were assembled with seals throughout
various areas of the airplane (including flight deck and cargo
compartments) made of BMS 8-39 urethane foam, a material with fire-
retardant properties that deteriorate with age. This AD requires
replacing the system tube/wire seals made of BMS 8-39 urethane foam in
certain areas of the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 22, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 22,
2022.
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-2021-0794.
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-2021-0794; 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: 206-231-3684;
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1b716e77727e35777275755b7d7a7a357c746d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="315b445d58541f5d585f5f715750501f565e47">[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, -400D, and -400F series airplanes. The NPRM
published in the Federal Register on October 14, 2021 (86 FR 57081).
The NPRM was prompted by reports of burned BMS 8-39 urethane foam, and
a report from the airplane manufacturer that airplanes were assembled
with seals throughout various areas of the airplane (including flight
deck and cargo compartments) made of BMS 8-39 urethane foam, a material
with fire-retardant properties
[[Page 2533]]
that deteriorate with age. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require
replacing the system tube/wire seals made of BMS 8-39 urethane foam in
certain areas of the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent
failure of the urethane seals to maintain sufficient Halon
concentrations in the cargo compartments to extinguish or contain fire
or smoke, and to prevent penetration of fire or smoke in areas of the
airplane that are difficult to access for fire and smoke detection or
suppression.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from Boeing, the Air Line Pilots
Association, International (ALPA), and two individuals, who supported
the NPRM without change.
Conclusion
The FAA reviewed the relevant data 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. 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 Service Bulletin 747-25-
3381, Revision 3, dated February 19, 2021. This service information
specifies procedures for replacing BMS 8-39 urethane foam seals with
BMS 1-68 silicone foam rubber seals (including doing a general visual
inspection of the foam for any tube or wire penetrations and sealing
any penetrations that go through the insulation blankets). This service
information adds the work instructions for Group 11, Configuration 2;
Group 13 and 14, Configuration 4; and Group 16, 17, and 19,
Configuration 5 airplanes.
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 ADDRESSES.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 131 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parts
Action Labor cost cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement (including GVI)... Up to 32 work- * $ Up to $2,720............ Up to $356,320.
hours x $85 per
hour = Up to
$2,720.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the parts cost estimates for 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.
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:
2021-26-10 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-21869; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0794; Project Identifier AD-2021-00400-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 22,
2022.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400, -400D, and
-400F series airplanes, certificated in any category, identified as
Group 11, Configuration 2; Group 13 and 14, Configuration 4; and
Group 16, 17, and 19, Configuration 5, in Boeing Special Attention
Service Bulletin 747-25-3381, Revision 3, dated February 19, 2021.
(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, and a report from the
airplane manufacturer that airplanes were assembled with seals
throughout various areas of the airplane (including flight deck and
cargo compartments) made of BMS 8-39 urethane foam, a material with
fire-retardant properties that deteriorate with age. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the urethane seals to maintain
sufficient Halon concentrations in the cargo compartments to
extinguish or contain fire or smoke, and to prevent penetration of
fire or smoke in areas of the airplane that are difficult to access
for fire and smoke detection or suppression.
[[Page 2534]]
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) BMS 8-39 Urethane Foam Seal Replacements
Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace
the BMS 8-39 urethane foam seals in the forward cargo compartment
system tube/wire (including doing a general visual inspection of the
foam for any tube or wire penetrations and sealing any penetrations
that go through the insulation blankets) with BMS 1-68 silicone foam
rubber seals, as applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25-
3381, Revision 3, dated February 19, 2021.
(h) 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 Related Information. Information may be emailed to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f1c8dcb0bfbcdca2949085859d94dcb0b2bedcb0bcbeb2dca394808494828582b1979090df969e87"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="98a1b5d9d6d5b5cbfdf9ececf4fdb5d9dbd7b5d9d5d7dbb5cafde9edfdebecebd8fef9f9b6fff7ee">[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.
(i) Related Information
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: 206-231-3684; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f09a859c9995de9c999e9eb0969191de979f86"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1379667f7a763d7f7a7d7d537572723d747c65">[email protected]</span></a>.
(j) 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 Service Bulletin 747-25-3381,
Revision 3, dated February 19, 2021.
(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, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#593f2b7730372a293c3a2d3036371937382b38773e362f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b5d3c79bdcdbc6c5d0d6c1dcdadbf5dbd4c7d49bd2dac3">[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 December 9, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-00585 Filed 1-14-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 18, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.