# AD 2009-10-06: Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27: Flight controls.

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Historical
- Products: Boeing 747-400 Series and 747-400D Series
- Effective: June 9, 2009
- Published: May 5, 2009, 74 FR 20580–20582
- Issued: May 1, 2009
- Issued as: Final rule
- Superseded by: [AD 2013-22-11](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2013-22-11)
- Product type: Aircraft, Large airplane
- ATA chapter: 53 · Fuselage
- Amendment: 39-15901
- Docket: FAA-2006-23742 (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2006-23742)
- Project: 2005-NE-53-AD
- Registered aircraft: 38 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/05/82/0582cee63ab244de4dc3c6eda52900dd5b73ebf1804f62e7423862bcb36c7ffc (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2009-05-05/pdf/E9-10145.pdf)
- Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2009/05/05/E9-10145/airworthiness-directives-pratt-and-whitney-pw-jt9d-7r4-series-turbofan-engines
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/46718717289A1488862575B5004E1131.0001
- DRS record last changed: August 7, 2025
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/2009-10-06

## Summary

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections to detect cracks in the floor panel attachment fastener holes of the Section 41 upper deck floor beam upper chords, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from reports of cracks found in the Section 41 upper deck floor beam upper chords. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in these chords, which could become large and cause the floor beams to become severed and result in rapid decompression or reduced controllability of the airplane.

## The airworthiness directive

### Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2009-10-06 Boeing: Amendment 39-15901. Docket No. FAA-2009-0135; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-170-AD.

### (a) Effective Date

  (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 17, 2009.

### (b) Affected ADs

  (b) None.

### (c) Applicability

  (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, dated August 21, 2008.

### (d) Subject

  (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53: Fuselage.

### (e) Unsafe Condition

  (e) This AD results from reports of cracks found in the Section 41 upper deck floor beam upper chords. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in these chords, which could become large and cause the floor beams to become severed and result in rapid decompression or reduced controllability of the airplane.

### (f) Compliance

  (f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

### (g) Inspections and Corrective Actions

  (g) Except as required by paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: At the applicable times in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, dated August 21, 2008 (“the service bulletin”), do an inspection (open-hole or surface high frequency eddy current) to detect cracks in the floor panel attachment fastener holes of the Section 41 upper deck floor beam upper chords, and do applicable related investigative and corrective actions, by accomplishing all the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. Repeat the inspections thereafter at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of the service bulletin.

  (h) If any crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, dated August 21, 2008, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair the crack using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.

    (i) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, dated August 21, 2008, specifies a compliance time after the date on the service bulletin, this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.

### (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

  (j)(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. Send information to ATTN: Ivan Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6437; fax (425) 917-6590.

  (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

  (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 an Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option Authorization Organization who 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.

### (k) Material Incorporated by Reference

  (k) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2688, dated August 21, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

  (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

  (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.

  (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.

  (4) You may also review copies of the 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: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

## Rule preamble

### Dates

This AD is effective June 17, 2009.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of June 17, 2009.

### Addresses

For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.

### For further information contact

Ivan Li, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6437; fax (425) 917-6590.

### Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to certain Boeing Model 747-400 and 747-400D series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February 18, 2009 (74 FR 7573). That NPRM proposed to require repetitive inspections to detect cracks in the floor panel attachment fastener holes of the Section 41 upper deck floor beam upper chords, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary.

### Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We considered the comment received. Boeing supports the NPRM.

### Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

### Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 53 airplanes of U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this AD.

*Table—Estimated Costs*

| Action | Work hours | Average labor rate per hour | Parts | Cost per product | Number of U.S.-registered airplanes | Fleet cost |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Inspection | 48 or 50 | $80 | None | $3,840 or $4,000 per inspection cycle | 53 | Up to $212,000 per inspection cycle. |

### 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

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), 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.

You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of compliance in the AD Docket.

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS A20WE](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A20WE): The Boeing Company; names 2 of 14 models: 747-400D Series, 747-400 Series

## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs)

Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment.

- Aircraft: 38 (38 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Boeing 38

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Boeing 747-446](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-747-446): 10 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Boeing 747-422](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-747-422): 8 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Boeing 747-412](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-747-412): 5 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Boeing 747-409](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-747-409): 4 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Boeing 747-481](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-747-481): 3 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Boeing 747-443](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-747-443): 2 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Boeing 747-438](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-747-438): 2 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Boeing 747-428](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-747-428): 2 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Boeing 747-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-747-400): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Boeing 747-451](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-747-451): 1 aircraft (airframe model)

All 10 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/2009-10-06/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/2009-10-06/aircraft.md

## Related documents

- [AD 2013-22-11](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2013-22-11) (historical): Fuselage · Boeing 747-400 Series and 747-400D Series. Effective Dec 10, 2013. Supersedes this AD

No proposed rule in this release led to it. Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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