[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 65 (Friday, April 4, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16115-16116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8701]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-55-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 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 777-200
series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of certain
overhead electronics units (OEU) of the passenger address and
entertainment communication systems with modified OEU's. This proposal
is prompted by reports of smoke coming from the overhead panels near
the passenger reading lights, which was caused by overheating of the
transformers located in the OEU's. The actions specified by the
proposed AD are intended to prevent overheating of the transformers,
which potentially could cause a fire in the transformer assembly and/or
electronic components located in the OEU and could cause smoke to enter
the passenger cabin.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 15, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-55-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: Peter Skaves, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington;
telephone (206) 227-2795; 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 97-NM-55-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. 97-NM-55-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received several reports of smoke coming from the
overhead panel near the passenger reading lights on Boeing Model 777-
200 series airplanes. In other reports, the overhead electronics units
(OEU) failed to supply power to the lights of the passenger cabin.
Investigation revealed that the transformers of the OEU's are not
adequately protected from certain overload failure modes, which causes
the transformers to overheat. Overheating of a transformer, if not
corrected, potentially could cause a fire in the transformer assembly
and/or electronic components located in the OEU and could cause smoke
to enter the passenger cabin.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
777-23A0027, dated February 13, 1997. The alert service bulletin
describes procedures for replacement of OEU's, part numbers (P/N)
285W0029-3, 285W0029-3 MOD A, and 285W0029-3 MOD B, of the passenger
address and entertainment communication systems with modified OEU's, P/
N's 285W0029-5, 285W0029-5 MOD A, and 285W0029-5 MOD B. The modified
OEU's contain a new transformer assembly that contains circuit
protection for overload conditions, which will prevent the transformer
from overheating.
The FAA also has reviewed and approved Boeing Component Service
Bulletin 285W0029-23-01, dated February 13, 1997, which describes
procedures for reworking OEU's having P/N's 285W0029-3, 285W0029-3 MOD
A, and 285W0029-3 MOD B. The rework includes replacing the transformer
assembly located in the OEU with a new OEU, applying dash number -5,
and adding a MOD level marking (if applicable) to the nameplate of the
OEU.
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 replacement of certain OEU's of the passenger
address and entertainment communication systems with modified OEU's.
The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the
alert service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 46 Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes of
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 16
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that
it would take approximately 209 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work
hour. Required parts would be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost
to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $200,640, or $12,540
per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no
[[Page 16116]]
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 97-NM-55-AD.
Applicability: Model 777-200 series airplanes, as listed in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-23A0027, dated February 13, 1997;
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 overheating of the transformers of the overhead
electronic units (OEU), which potentially could cause a fire in the
transformer assembly and/or other electronic components of the OEU
and could cause smoke to enter the passenger cabin, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace
OEU's having part numbers (P/N) 285W0029-3, 285W0029-3 MOD A, and
285W0029-3 MOD B, of the passenger address and entertainment
communication systems with modified OEU's having P/N's 285W0029-5,
285W0029-5 MOD A, and 285W0029-5 MOD B, in accordance with Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin 777-23A0027, dated February 13, 1997.
Note 2: Boeing Component Service Bulletin 285W0029-23-01, dated
February 13, 1997, describes procedures for reworking OEU's having
P/N's 285W0029-3, 285W0029-3 MOD A, and 285W0029-3 MOD B, to a
configuration having a dash number -5, and a MOD level marking (if
applicable).
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
an OEU having P/N 285W0029-3, 285W0029-3 MOD A, or 285W0029-3 MOD B,
on any airplane.
(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 3: 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 March 31, 1997.
S. R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
026Service.
[FR Doc. 97-8701 Filed 4-3-97; 8:45 am]
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