[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 42 (Friday, March 2, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13204-13207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4947]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-240-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100 and -200 Series 
Airplanes Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate SA8622SW

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Boeing Model 747-100 and -200 
series airplanes modified by supplemental type certificate SA8622SW. 
This proposal would require deactivation of the in-flight entertainment 
(IFE) system. This action is necessary to ensure that the flight crew 
is able to remove power from the IFE system when necessary. Inability 
to remove power from the IFE system during a non-normal or emergency 
situation could result in inability to control smoke or fumes in the 
airplane flight deck or cabin. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 16, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-240-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-240-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Continental Airlines, Inc., 600 Jefferson Street HQJAV, 
Houston, Texas 77002. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 
2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ingrid Knox, Aerospace Engineer, ASW-
150, FAA, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137-4298; telephone (817) 222-5139; fax (817) 222-
5960.

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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-240-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-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 2000-NM-240-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently completed a 
review of in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems certified by 
supplemental type certificate (STC) and installed on transport category 
airplanes. The review focused on the interface between the IFE system 
and airplane electrical system, with the objective of determining if 
any unsafe conditions exist with regard to the interface. STC's issued 
between 1992 and 2000 were considered for the review.
    The type of IFE systems considered for review were those that 
contain video monitors (cathode ray tubes or liquid crystal displays; 
either hanging above the aisle or mounted on individual seat backs or 
seat trays), or complex circuitry (i.e., power supplies, electronic 
distribution boxes, extensive wire routing, relatively high power 
consumption, multiple layers of circuit protection, etc.). In addition, 
in-seat power supply systems that provide power to more than 20 percent 
of the total passenger seats were also considered for the review. The 
types of

[[Page 13205]]

IFE systems not considered for review include systems that provide only 
audio signals to each passenger seat, ordinary in-flight telephone 
systems (e.g., one telephone handset per group of seats or bulkhead-
mounted telephones), systems that only have a video monitor on the 
forward bulkhead(s) (or a projection system) to provide passengers with 
basic airplane and flight information, and in-seat power supply systems 
that provide power to less than 20 percent of the total passenger 
seats.
    Items considered during the review include the following:
     Can the electrical bus(es) supplying power to the IFE 
system be deenergized when necessary without removing power from 
systems that may be required for continued safe flight and landing?
     Can IFE system power be removed when required without 
pulling IFE system circuit breakers? [i.e., is there a switch 
(dedicated to the IFE system or a combination of loads) located in the 
flight deck or cabin that can be used to remove IFE power?]
     If the IFE system requires changes to flight crew 
procedures, has the airplane flight manual (AFM) been properly amended?
     If the IFE system requires changes to cabin crew 
procedures, have they been properly amended?
     Does the IFE system require periodic or special 
maintenance?
    In all, approximately 180 IFE systems approved by STC were reviewed 
by the FAA. The review results indicate that potential unsafe 
conditions exist on some IFE systems installed on various transport 
category airplanes. These conditions can be summarized as:
     Electrical bus(es) supplying power to the IFE system 
cannot be deenergized when necessary without removing power from 
systems that may be required for continued safe flight and landing.
     Power cannot be removed from the IFE system when required 
without pulling IFE system circuit breakers (i.e., there is no switch 
dedicated to the IFE system or combination of systems for the purpose 
of removing power).
     Installation of the IFE system has affected crew (flight 
crew and/or cabin crew) procedures, but the procedures have not been 
properly revised.

FAA's Determination

    As part of its review of IFE systems, the FAA has determined that 
an unsafe condition exists on Boeing Model 747-100 and -200 series 
airplanes modified by STC SA8622SW. The IFE system (an in-seat video 
system) on these airplanes is connected to an electrical bus that 
cannot be deenergized without also cutting power to airplane systems 
necessary for safe flight and landing. Also, there is no means 
available to the flight or cabin crew to remove power from the IFE 
system without pulling circuit breakers for the system, and the 
airplane flight manual and cabin crew manual do not provide 
instructions on how to remove power from the IFE system when responding 
to an emergency. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
failure to remove power from the IFE system during a non-normal or 
emergency situation, and consequent inability to control smoke or fumes 
in the airplane flight deck or cabin.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The operator of the affected airplanes has informed the FAA that 
none of the affected airplanes are currently in service: All affected 
airplanes have been placed in storage, dismantled, or converted to 
freighters. Thus, the operator has chosen to deactivate the IFE system 
on these airplanes. The FAA has reviewed and approved Continental 
Airlines Engineering Change/Repair Authorizations (EC/RA) 2330-02321, 
2330-02322, 2330-02323, 2330-02324, 2330-02325, 2330-02326, 2330-02327, 
and 2330-02328; all dated August 29, 2000. These EC/RA's describe 
procedures for deactivating the IFE system, which involves opening and 
collaring certain circuit breakers, and capping and stowing certain 
wires. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the applicable EC/RA 
is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.

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 accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the applicable EC/RA described previously.

Calculation of Compliance Time

    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 amount of time 
necessary to accomplish the proposed actions. In consideration of these 
factors, the FAA has determined that 18 months after the effective date 
of this AD represents an appropriate interval of time allowable wherein 
an acceptable level of safety can be maintained.

Other Relevant Proposed Rulemaking

    This proposed action is one of a number of proposed AD's on 
airplanes modified by STC's that have been determined to be subject to 
similar unsafe conditions. Other currently proposed AD's include the 
following airplanes and STC's:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Model/Series                            STC number                         Docket number
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing 757-200........................  SA1727GL                             2000-NM-228-AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 and DC-9-83.  SA8026NM                             2000-NM-229-AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30............  ST00054SE                            2000-NM-231-AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing 767-300 and 767-300ER..........  SA5765NM                             2000-NM-232-AD
                                        SA5978NM
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing 767-300........................  ST00157SE                            2000-NM-233-AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing 747-100 and 200................  ST00196SE                            2000-NM-234-AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing 767-200........................  SA5134NM                             2000-NM-235-AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing 767-300........................  ST00118SE                            2000-NM-236-AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing 737-300........................  ST00171SE                            2000-NM-237-AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 13206]]

 
Boeing 767-200........................  SA4998NM                             2000-NM-238-AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing 767-300........................  SA7019NM-D                           2000-NM-239-AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30............  SA8452SW                             2000-NM-241-AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing 737-700........................  ST09100AC-D                          2000-NM-242-AD
                                        ST09104AC-D
                                        ST09105AC-D
                                        ST09106AC-D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing 767-200........................  ST09022AC-D                          2000-NM-243-AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing 747SP..........................  ST09097AC-D                          2000-NM-244-AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing 747-400........................  SA8843SW                             2000-NM-245-AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus A340-211.......................  ST0902AC-D                           2000-NM-246-AD
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 8 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 8 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$480, or $60 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 proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact 
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time 
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. 
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the 
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 2000-NM-240-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747-100 and -200 series airplanes modified 
by supplemental type certificate (STC) SA8622SW, 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 ensure that the flight crew is able to remove power from the 
in-flight entertainment (IFE) system when necessary; which, if not 
done during a non-normal or emergency situation, could result in 
inability to control smoke or fumes in the airplane flight deck or 
cabin; accomplish the following:

Deactivation

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
deactivate the IFE system, in accordance with Continental Airlines 
Engineering Change/Repair Authorization 2330-02321, 2330-02322, 
2330-02323, 2330-02324, 2330-02325, 2330-02326, 2330-02327, or 2330-
02328; all dated August 29, 2000; as applicable.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an IFE system in accordance with STC SA8622SW on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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, Fort Worth Airplane Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, Fort Worth ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Fort Worth ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (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

[[Page 13207]]

location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 23, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-4947 Filed 3-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U