[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 231 (Friday, November 29, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 60653-60655]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30412]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-239-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, -200, and -300 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100, -
200, and -300 series airplanes. This proposal would require the 
replacement of certain switches located behind the cabin attendant's 
panel at one of the airplane's doors with new, improved switches. This 
proposal is prompted by reports indicating that fires have occurred on 
some airplanes due to the internal failure of some of these switches. 
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent the 
installation and use of switches that could short circuit when they 
fail, and consequently cause fire and smoke aboard the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 29, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-239-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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

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Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Forrest Keller, Senior Aerospace 
Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 
telephone (206) 227-2790; fax (206) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 96-NM-239-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 96-NM-239-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received several reports indicating that fires and 
smoke have occurred aboard Model 747-100 series airplanes behind the 
cabin attendant's panel at door 4 right. These incidents, reported by 
four operators, occurred during flight or after landing.
    Investigation revealed that the fires were the result of internal 
failures in switches S4 and/or S5, or switches S7 and S8. These 
failures caused a short circuit between the switch and its ground. 
Switches of this type also are found on Model 747-200 and -300 series 
airplanes. The installation and use of a switch that could short 
circuit when it fails, if not corrected, could consequently result in 
fire and smoke aboard the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
747-33A2252, dated August 1, 1996, which describes procedures for the 
replacement of switches S4 and/or S5, or switches S7 and S8 that are 
installed on the cabin attendant's panel at door 4 right with new, 
improved switches. In the event that an improved switch fails 
internally, there will be no short circuit between the switch and its 
ground; therefore, the potential for fire or smoke to occur is reduced.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require the replacement of switches S4 and/or S5, or 
switches S7 and S8 that are installed on the cabin attendant's panel at 
door 4 right with new, improved switches. The actions would be required 
to be accomplished in accordance with the Boeing alert service bulletin 
described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 648 Boeing Model 747-100, -200, and -300 
series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet.
    The FAA estimates that 167 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 3 work hours 
per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost between $270 and 
$556, depending on the parts kit that is needed. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be between $75,150 and $122,912, or between $450 and $736 
per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements 
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions 
in the future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

Boeing: Docket 96-NM-239-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes; 
as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-33A2252, dated August 
1, 1996; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in

[[Page 60655]]

accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include 
an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or 
repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the 
unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include 
specific proposed actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the installation and use of switches in the cabin 
attendant's panel at door 4 right that could short circuit when they 
fail, and consequently cause fire and smoke aboard the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
switches S4 and/or S5, or switches S7 and S8 that are installed in 
the cabin attendant's panel at door 4 right with new switches, in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-33A2252, dated 
August 1, 1996.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
at door 4 right of any airplane an attendant's panel having a part 
number identified in the ``Existing Part Number'' column of 
paragraph II.D. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-33A2252, dated 
August 1, 1996.
    (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 2: 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 21, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-30412 Filed 11-27-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U