[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 11, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36149-36150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17155]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-228-AD; Amendment 39-12311; AD 2001-14-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 Series Airplanes 
Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate SA1727GL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Boeing Model 757-200 series airplanes modified by 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA1727GL, that requires 
deactivation of the air-to-ground telephone system approved by that 
STC. This action is necessary to prevent the inability of the flight 
crew to remove power from the telephone system when necessary. 
Inability to remove power from the telephone 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: Effective August 15, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The information referenced in this AD may be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 East Devon, Des Plaines, 
Illinois.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wess Rouse, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ACE-117C, Chicago Aircraft 
Certification Office, 2300 East Devon, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; 
telephone (847) 294-8113; fax (847) 294-7380.

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 all Boeing Model 757-200 series 
airplanes modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA1727GL was 
published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2001 (66 FR 13183). That 
action proposed to require deactivation of the air-to-ground telephone 
system approved by that STC.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Explanation of Change to Final Rule

    Paragraph (b) of the proposed rule states that ``no person shall 
install an [in-flight entertainment system (IFE)] system in accordance 
with STC SA1727GL * * *'' The FAA finds that, where we used the generic 
term ``IFE system,'' we should have used the more specific term ``air-
to-ground telephone system.'' Therefore, we have revised paragraph (b) 
of this final rule for clarity.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule with the change previously described. The FAA has determined that 
this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    Because the STC holder is no longer in business, the FAA is unable 
to determine how many U.S.-registered Boeing Model 757-200 series 
airplanes modified by STC SA1727GL will be affected by this AD.
    For an airplane subject to this AD, it will take approximately 3 
work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $35 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact 
of this

[[Page 36150]]

AD is estimated to be $215 per affected 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. 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 adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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, 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:

2001-14-01  Boeing: Amendment 39-12311. Docket 2000-NM-228-AD.

    Applicability: Model 757-200 series airplanes modified by 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA1727GL, 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 inability of the flight crew to remove power from 
the telephone system when necessary, accomplish the following:

Deactivation

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
deactivate the In-Flight Phone Corporation air-to-ground telephone 
system approved by STC SA1727GL. Accomplish the deactivation in 
accordance with the procedures in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), 
(a)(4), and (a)(5) of this AD.
    (1) Remove the circuit breakers listed in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Number                      Label             Location
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CB9012..........................  ATG Phone Bus.....  P11-2 Overhead
                                                       Cockpit.
CB9013..........................  CSU...............  P37 Right
                                                       Miscellaneous
                                                       Electrical
                                                       Equipment Panel.
CB9014..........................  RFU...............  P37 Right
                                                       Miscellaneous
                                                       Electrical
                                                       Equipment Panel.
C340............................  C340..............  P70 Miscellaneous
                                                       Electrical
                                                       Equipment Panel.
C341............................  C341..............  P70 Miscellaneous
                                                       Electrical
                                                       Equipment Panel.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Remove wire between circuit breaker C340 and C334 bus 
connection in P70 Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment Panel.
    (3) Remove wire between circuit breaker C340 and C1292 bus 
connection in P70 Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment Panel.
    (4) Remove wire between circuit breaker CB9012 and C560 in P11-2 
Overhead Cockpit panel.
    (5) Cap and stow any remaining wires associated with the circuit 
breakers listed in the table above.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an air-to-ground telephone system in accordance with STC SA1727GL, 
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, Chicago Aircraft 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, Chicago ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Chicago 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 location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 15, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington on June 29, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-17155 Filed 7-10-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P