[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 134 (Thursday, July 12, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36453-36455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17159]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-240-AD; Amendment 39-12322; AD 2001-14-11]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Boeing Model 747-100 and -200 series airplanes 
modified by Supplemental Type Certificate SA8622SW, that requires 
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: Effective August 16, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 16, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Continental Airlines, Inc., 600 Jefferson Street HQJAV, 
Houston, Texas 77002. This information may be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules 
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; at the FAA, Fort 
Worth Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 
Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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.

[[Page 36454]]


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 747-100 and -200 
series airplanes modified by Supplemental Type Certificate SA8622SW was 
published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2001 (66 FR 13204). That 
action proposed to require deactivation of the in-flight entertainment 
system.

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.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 8 Model 747-100 and -200 series airplanes 
of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 8 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of this 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 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, 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:

    2001-14-11  Boeing: Amendment 39-12322. 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 location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Continental 
Airlines Engineering Change/Repair Authorization 2330-02321, dated 
August 29, 2000; Continental Airlines Engineering Change/Repair 
Authorization 2330-02322, dated August 29, 2000; Continental 
Airlines Engineering Change/Repair Authorization 2330-02323, dated 
August 29, 2000; Continental Airlines Engineering Change/Repair 
Authorization 2330-02324, dated August 29, 2000; Continental 
Airlines Engineering Change/Repair Authorization 2330-02325, dated 
August 29, 2000; Continental Airlines Engineering Change/Repair 
Authorization 2330-02326, dated August 29, 2000; Continental 
Airlines Engineering Change/Repair Authorization 2330-02327, dated 
August 29, 2000; or Continental Airlines Engineering Change/Repair 
Authorization 2330-02328, dated August 29, 2000; as applicable. 
(Only the first page of these documents contains the document date; 
no other page contains this information.) 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 Continental Airlines, Inc., 600 Jefferson Street 
HQJAV, Houston, Texas 77002. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; at the FAA, Fort

[[Page 36455]]

Worth Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, 
Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on August 16, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 3, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-17159 Filed 7-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P