[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 221 (Monday, November 17, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61222-61223]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29823]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-55-AD; Amendment 39-10205; AD 97-23-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes, that 
requires replacement of certain overhead electronics units (OEU) of the 
passenger address and entertainment communication systems with modified 
OEU's. This amendment 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 this 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: Effective December 22, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 22, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of 
the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Varun Khanna, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 227-2082; fax (425) 
227-1182.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 777-200 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 4, 1997 
(62 FR 16115). That action proposed to require replacement of certain 
overhead electronics units (OEU) of the passenger address and 
entertainment communication systems with modified OEU's.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    One commenter supports the proposed rule.

Request To Extend the Compliance Time

    One commenter requests that the compliance time for accomplishing 
the replacement of the OEU's be extended from the proposed 6 months to 
12 months. The commenter contends that, even if it used two repair 
stations, it would still take an extraordinary effort and 8 to 9 months 
(best case) to accomplish the proposed replacement. The commenter 
points out that the 6-month compliance time also would result in 
schedule disruptions, which is a severe economic hardship on the 
airline.
    The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request to extend the 
compliance time for accomplishment of the subject replacement. In 
developing an appropriate compliance time for this action, the FAA 
considered not only the degree of urgency associated with addressing 
the subject unsafe condition, but the availability of required parts 
and the practical aspect of accomplishing the required replacement with 
an interval of time that parallels normal scheduled maintenance for the 
majority of affected operators. The manufacturer has advised that it 
has shipped replacement units to all affected operators and can provide 
sufficient units to enable operators to comply within 6 months, and 
that it is supplying the labor for accomplishment of the replacement. 
In addition, the FAA has been informed that certain operators have 
accomplished the subject replacement overnight on their fleet.

[[Page 61223]]

However, under the provisions of paragraph (c) of the final rule, the 
FAA may approve requests for adjustments to the compliance time if data 
are submitted to substantiate that such an adjustment would provide an 
acceptable level of safety.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

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 will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 209 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the 
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 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 operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:

97-23-16 Boeing: Amendment 39-10205. 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 
electronics 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 285W0028-3 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 285W0028-3 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.
    (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 777-23A0027, dated February 13, 1997. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, 
P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 22, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 6, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-29823 Filed 11-14-97; 8:45 am]
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