[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2981-2982]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1293]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

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: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of 
comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100, -200, and -
300 series airplanes, that would have required the replacement of 
certain switches located behind the cabin attendant's panel at door 4 
right, with new improved switches. That proposal was prompted by 
reports indicating that fires have occurred on some airplanes due to 
the internal failure of some of these switches. This action revises the 
proposed rule by adding a requirement to replace switches located at 
door 2 right. The actions specified by this 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 February 3, 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 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

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to add an airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to 
certain Boeing Model 747-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes, was 
published as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal 
Register on November 29, 1996 (61 FR 60653). That NPRM would have 
required 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. That NPRM was prompted by reports 
indicating that fire and smoke have occurred on some airplanes due to 
the internal failure of some of these switches.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Proposal

    Since the issuance of that NPRM, the FAA has received a report of 
the failure of these same switches located at the cabin attendant panel 
located at door 2 right on at least two airplanes. Failure of the 
switches at this location presents the same unsafe condition addressed 
in the previous proposal.
    Accordingly, the FAA has determined that, in addition to replacing 
these switches at the panel at door 4, operators must replace the 
switches at the panel at door 2, as well.

Requirements of the Revised Proposed Rule

    This supplemental NPRM proposes to require removing switches S4 
and/or S5, or switches S7 and S8, that are currently installed on the 
cabin attendant's panel at door 4 right, and the equivalent switches at 
door 2 right, and replacing them with new improved switches.
    The compliance time for accomplishing the replacement would be 
extended from the previously proposed 6 months to 10 months. The FAA 
finds that such an extension is appropriate in consideration of the 
increased number of work hours and required parts that would be 
necessary to accomplish the proposed actions.
    These actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance 
with the procedures described in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
33A2252, dated August 1, 1996. Although those procedures address 
replacing only the switches located at door 4, they can be

[[Page 2982]]

used just as effectively for replacing the switches located at door 2.

Conclusion

    Since this change expands the scope of the originally proposed 
rule, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to reopen the comment 
period to provide additional opportunity for public comment.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 648 Boeing Model 747-100, -200, and -300 
series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. Of this 
number, the FAA estimates that 167 airplanes are of U.S. registry and 
would be affected by this proposed AD
    The proposed replacement of the switches would take approximately 5 
work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $1,112. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $235,804, or $1,412 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 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 that could short circuit when they fail, and 
consequently cause fire and smoke aboard the airplane, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within 10 months after the effective date of this AD, remove 
switches S4 and/or S5, or switches S7 and S8, that are installed in 
the cabin attendant's panel at door 4 right, and the equivalent 
switches at door 2 right, and replace them with new switches in 
accordance with the procedures specified in 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 2 right or at door 4 right of any airplane an attendant's 
panel having switch part numbers identified in the ``Old Switch'' 
column of any table contained in 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 
Secs. 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 January 13, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-1293 Filed 1-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U