[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 50 (Monday, March 15, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12063-12064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-5432]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-238-AD; Amendment 39-13522; AD 2004-05-27]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-200 Series Airplanes 
Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate ST00516AT

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 737-200 series airplanes modified by 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00516AT, that requires removal of 
the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system installed per that STC. This 
action is necessary to eliminate the possibility that the airplane crew 
could be unable to remove power from the IFE system during a non-normal 
or emergency situation, which could result in the airplane crew's 
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 April 19, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 19, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Kosola and Associates, Inc., 5601 Newton Road, P.O. Box 
3529, Albany, Georgia 31706. 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 FAA, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix 
Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Myles Jalalian, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ACE-116A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 
450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone (770) 703-6073; fax (770) 703-
6097.

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 737-200 series 
airplanes modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00516AT was 
published in the Federal Register on September 4, 2003 (68 FR 52539). 
That action proposed to require removal of the in-flight entertainment 
(IFE) system installed per STC ST00516AT.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received. The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
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 4 Model 737-200 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 2 
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 $65 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $130, or $65 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,

[[Page 12064]]

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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-05-27 Boeing: Amendment 39-13522. Docket 2002-NM-238-AD.

    Applicability: Model 737-200 series airplanes modified by 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00516AT, certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To eliminate the possibility that the airplane crew could be 
unable to remove power from the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system 
during a non-normal or emergency situation, which could result in 
the airplane crew's inability to control smoke or fumes in the 
airplane flight deck or cabin, accomplish the following:

Removal of IFE System

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, remove 
the IFE system installed by STC ST00516AT per the procedure in 
Kosola and Associates Service Bulletin 2002-1, dated July 16, 2003. 
The procedure includes disconnecting the power line that leads from 
the IFE system control unit to the P6 panel, capping and stowing all 
related wiring or removing related wiring from the airplane, 
removing the IFE system circuit breaker from the P6 panel, and 
removing all components of the IFE system from the airplane.

Inspections Accomplished per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (b) Removal of the IFE system installed by STC ST00516AT before 
the effective date of this AD per Kosola and Associates Service 
Bulletin 2002-1, dated June 5, 2002, is considered acceptable for 
compliance with paragraph (a) of this AD.

Parts Installation

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an IFE system approved by STC ST00516AT on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Atlanta 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) Unless otherwise specified by this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Kosola and Associates Service Bulletin 2002-
1, dated July 16, 2003. 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 Kosola and 
Associates, Inc., 5601 Newton Road, P.O. Box 3529, Albany, Georgia 
31706. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 
Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia; 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 April 19, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 2, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-5432 Filed 3-12-04; 8:45 am]
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