[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 134 (Thursday, July 12, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36447-36448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17163]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-245-AD; Amendment 39-12326; AD 2001-14-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400 Series Airplanes 
Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate SA8843SW

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 747-400 series airplanes modified by 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA8843SW, that requires modifying 
the passenger entertainment system (PES) installed by that STC and 
revising the Airplane Flight Manual. This action is necessary to ensure 
that the flight crew is able to remove electrical power from the PES 
when necessary and is advised of appropriate procedures for such 
action. Inability to remove power from the PES 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 Raytheon Systems Company, Intelligence Information and 
Aircraft Integration Systems, 7500 Maehre Road, Waco, Texas 76705. 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, FAA, 
Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, ASW-150, 2601 Meacham Blvd., 
Fort Worth, Texas 76137-4298; telephone (817) 222-5139; fax (817) 222-
5960.

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 747-400 series 
airplanes modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA8843SW was 
published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2001 (66 FR 13219). That 
action proposed to require modifying the passenger entertainment system 
installed by that STC and revising the Airplane Flight Manual.

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

    None of the airplanes affected by this AD are on the U.S. Register. 
The single airplane included in the applicability of this rule 
currently is operated by a non-U.S. operator under foreign registry; 
therefore, it is not directly affected by this AD. However, the FAA 
considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that the unsafe 
condition is addressed in the event that the subject airplane is 
imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future.
    Should the affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S.

[[Page 36448]]

Register in the future, it will take approximately 80 work hours to 
accomplish the modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Required parts will cost approximately $94,574 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required modification 
would be $99,374.
    Should the affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it will take approximately 1 work hour to 
accomplish the manual revision, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the required 
manual revision would be $60.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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:

2001-14-15  Boeing: Amendment 39-12326. Docket 2000-NM-245-AD.

    Applicability: Model 747-400 series airplanes modified by 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA8843SW, 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 electrical 
power from the entire passenger entertainment system (PES) when 
necessary and is advised of appropriate procedures for such action, 
accomplish the following:

Modification and Airplane Flight Manual Revision

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Modify the PES to install load shed relays and associated 
cable assemblies for the PES, in accordance with Raytheon Service 
Bulletin 747(400)VIP-24-1, dated September 22, 2000.
    (2) Revise the Non-Normal Procedures section of the FAA-approved 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to advise the flight crew on using the 
``UTILITY BUS ON/OFF'' power switches to control power to the PES, 
in accordance with Raytheon Airplane Flight Manual Supplement 747-
430, dated October 17, 2000.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a PES system in accordance with STC SA8843SW on any airplane, unless 
it is modified and the AFM is revised in accordance with this AD.

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 Raytheon 
Service Bulletin 747(400)VIP-24-1, dated September 22, 2000; and 
Raytheon Airplane Flight Manual Supplement 747-430, dated October 
17, 2000. Raytheon Airplane Flight Manual Supplement 747-430 
contains the following list of effective pages:

 
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                 Page No.                        Date shown on page
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Log of Pages Page 1.......................  October 17, 2000.
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    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 Raytheon Systems Company, 
Intelligence Information and Aircraft Integration Systems, 7500 
Maehre Road, Waco, Texas 76705. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 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.

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. 01-17163 Filed 7-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U