# Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100SR Series Airplanes > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A94-17857 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Uncategorized Document - **Published:** July 26, 1994 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 94-NM-68-AD; Amendment 39-8983; AD 94-15-12] Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100SR Series Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Final rule; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100SR series airplanes, that currently requires that the FAA-approved maintenance inspection program include inspections which will give no less than the required damage tolerance rating (DTR) for each Structural Significant Item (SSI). That AD was prompted by a structural re-evaluation of this airplane model by the FAA. The actions specified in that AD are intended to ensure the continued structural integrity of the total Boeing Model 747-100SR fleet. This amendment revises the applicability of the rule by removing airplanes and adding others. DATES: Effective August 10, 1994. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 10, 1994. Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or before September 26, 1994. ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-68-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven C. Fox, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate , Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2777; fax (206) 227-1181. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 8, 1986, the FAA issued AD 86-19- 01, amendment 39-5394 (51 FR 29212, August 15, 1986), which is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100SR (short range operation) series airplanes. That AD requires that the FAA-approved maintenance inspection program of affected operators be revised to include inspections that will give no less than the required damage tolerance rating (DTR) for each Structural Significant Item (SSI) listed in Boeing Document No. D6-35655, ``Supplemental Structural Inspection Document'' (SSID), approved March 22, 1986. That action was prompted by a structural re-evaluation of this airplane model by the FAA. The requirements of that AD are intended to ensure the continued structural integrity of the total Boeing Model 747-100SR fleet. AD 86-19-01 is applicable only to Model 747-100SR series airplanes that are listed in the referenced Boeing Document No. D6-35655. These airplanes represented the ``candidate fleet'' of airplanes selected to participate in the SSID program. Since the issuance of that AD, however, the FAA has been advised that the airplanes applicable to AD 86-19-01 are no longer operated as short range airplanes, but have been converted to long range, high gross weight freighters. Therefore, these airplanes are no longer representative of the Model 747-100SR candidate fleet. The FAA has now identified other airplanes to replace the original airplanes as the candidate fleet. Further, on December 28, 1993, the FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking, Airworthiness Directive Rules Docket 93-NM-174-AD (59 FR 265, January 4, 1994), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747 series airplanes (not including Model 747- 100SR's), which would require that affected operators' revise their FAA-approved maintenance inspection programs to include inspections that will give no less than the required DTR for each SSI, as specified in Boeing Document No. D6- 35022, ``Supplemental Structural Inspection Document (SSID) for Model 747 Airplanes,'' Revision E, dated June 17, 1993. The applicability of that proposed AD includes Model 747 series airplanes that were formerly operated as Model 747-100SR series airplanes. Consequently, the airplanes that are currently subject to the requirements of AD 86-19-01 are included in the applicability of Rules Docket 93-NM-174-AD and will be subject to its requirements. To avoid redundant requirements for these airplanes, the FAA has determined that AD 86-19-01 must be revised to remove those airplanes that are currently listed both in its applicability as well as the applicability of Rules Docket 93-NM-174- AD. The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Document No. D6-35655, ``Supplemental Structural Inspection Document for 747-100SR,'' dated April 2, 1986, which specifies supplemental inspections of Boeing Model 747-100SR series airplanes that give no less than the required DTR for each SSI. This Document is essentially identical to Boeing Document No. D6-35655, approved March 22, 1986, which was called out in AD 86-19-01 as the appropriate source of service information. Incorporating the inspections described in this Document will ensure the continuing structural integrity of the total Model 747-100SR fleet. (It should be noted, however, that the airplanes listed in this document as the ``candidate fleet'' are no longer operated as short-range airplanes.) Since the failure of an SSI can compromise the structural integrity of these airplanes, and since such conditions are likely to exist or develop on other Model 747-100SR airplanes, this AD is being issued to supersede AD 86-19-01 with a new AD to require that affected operators revise their maintenance inspection programs to include inspections that provide no less than the required DTR for each SSI listed in the Boeing Document No. D6-35655, dated April 2, 1986. The applicability of this AD lists six specific airplanes as the candidate fleet. Additionally, this new AD differs from the superseded AD in certain other ways: 1. All references to the use of ``later FAA-approved revisions'' of the applicable Boeing Document have been deleted in order to be consistent with FAA policy in that regard. Later revisions of the Document may be approved for use as an alternative method of compliance, as provided by paragraph (c) of this AD. 2. This AD does not include a specific paragraph similar to paragraph E. of AD 86-19-01, which stated that, if an operator's maintenance program has been revised to incorporate the inspections specified in the Boeing Document, that operator is exempt from the requirements of the AD. Since the Compliance section of this new AD indicates that compliance is required ``unless accomplished previously,'' any additional paragraph, such as one similar to paragraph E. of AD 86-19-01, would be redundant. 3. The new AD has been reformatted to be in compliance with Federal Register style. There currently are no Model 747-100SR series airplanes affected by this AD on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future. Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it would require approximately 36.25 work hours to accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $55 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD would be $1,993.75 per airplane. Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Comments Invited Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 94-NM-68-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter. The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES. List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-5394 (51 FR 29212, August 15, 1986) and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39- , to read as follows: 94-15-12 Boeing: Amendment 39-8983. Docket 94-NM-68-AD. Supersedes AD 86-19-01, amendment 39-5394. Applicability: Model 747-100SR series airplanes having line numbers 346, 351, 420, 426, 427, and 601; certificated in any category. Note: The airplanes listed as the ``747-100SR Candidate Airplanes'' on page 2 of Section 3.0 of Boeing Document D6-35655, ``Supplemental Structural Inspection Document for 747-100SR,'' dated April 2, 1986, are not subject to the requirements of this AD. Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To ensure continued structural integrity of the total fleet of these airplanes, accomplish the following: (a) Within one year after the effective date of this AD, incorporate a revision into the FAA-approved maintenance inspection program which provides no less than the required damage tolerance rating (DTR) for each Structural Significant Item (SSI) as listed in Boeing Document D6-35655, ``Supplemental Structural Inspection Document for 747-100SR,'' dated April 2, 1986. The revision to the maintenance program must include and be implemented in accordance with the procedures specified in sections 5.0 and 6.0 of the Document. (b) Cracked structure must be repaired prior to further flight, in accordance with an FAA-approved method. (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO. Note: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Seattle ACO. (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (e) The incorporation of the revision to the maintenance program shall be done in accordance with Boeing Document No. D6-35655, Supplemental Structural Inspection Document for 747-100SR,'' dated April 2, 1986, which contains the following list of effective pages: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Revision Page No. letter shown on page ------------------------------------------------------------------------ List of Active Pages: Section A, Pages 1-11................................... (None) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (g) This amendment becomes effective on August 10, 1994. Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 18, 1994. S.R. Miller, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 94-17857 Filed 7-25-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A94-17857. Public record. Not legal advice.