AD 2011-10-02

This AD is effective June 15, 2011.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of June 15, 2011.

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. You may review copies of the referenced 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.

Tung Tran, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6505; fax 425-917-6590; e-mail: tung.tran@faa.gov.

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 5, 2010 (75 FR 47245). That NPRM proposed to require modifying certain thrust reverser control system wiring to the flap control unit (FCU).

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal and the FAA's response to each comment.

Boeing, Airline Pilots Association, International (ALPA), and Japan Airlines International (JAL) support the intent of the NPRM.

JAL and All Nippon Airways (ANA) requested that we update the NPRM to reference Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-78-2183, Revision 1, dated December 23, 2010. The commenters stated that Boeing has issued Boeing Service Bulletin Information Notice 747-78-2183 IN 01, dated May 6, 2010, to correct the operational test procedure. The NPRM referred to Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-78-2183, dated January 12, 2010.

We agree to reference the latest service information and have changed paragraph (h) of this AD to reference Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-78-2183, Revision 1, dated December 23, 2010. We have also changed paragraph (g) of this AD to reference Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-78A2184, Revision 1, dated December 23, 2010, which was also revised (the NPRM referred to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-78A2184, dated January 12, 2010). Changes to these service bulletins include changes to the functional test tasks to better describe the use of pneumatic and electrical power, and to provide a better sequence of test tasks.

We have also added paragraph (i) to this AD to give credit to operators for accomplishing the actions specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-78-2183 and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-78A2184, both dated January 12, 2010. We have re-identified subsequent paragraphs accordingly.

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously—and minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:

• Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and

• Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

We also determined that these changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

We estimate that this AD affects 98 airplanes of U.S. registry. We estimate that it will take 1 work-hour per product to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost $0 per product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators to be $8,330, or $85 per product.

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.

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.

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 airworthiness directive (AD):