[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 28, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 77675-77676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-28250]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 248 / Tuesday, December 28, 2004 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 77675]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19943; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-76-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Boeing Model 757-200 series airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require modifying the wiring of the test ground signal for the 
master dim and test system circuit in the flight compartment. This 
proposed AD is prompted by a report that the master dim and test system 
circuit does not have wiring separation of the test ground signal for 
redundant equipment in the flight compartment. We are proposing this AD 
to prevent a single fault failure during flight, which could result in 
test patterns instead of the selected radio frequencies showing on the 
communications panel. These conditions could adversely affect voice and 
transponder communication capability between the flightcrew and air 
traffic control, which could result in increased pilot workload.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 11, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     By fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket 
number is FAA-2004-19943; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2004-NM-76-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: Binh Tran, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6485; fax (425) 917-6590.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19943; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-76-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that website, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    We have received a report indicating that the master dim and test 
system circuit does not have wiring separation of the test ground 
signal for redundant equipment in the flight compartment on certain 
Boeing Model 757-200 series airplanes. This condition could allow a 
single fault to simulate a test condition in the annunciators, 
switches, and displays in the flight compartment. A

[[Page 77676]]

single fault failure could also simulate a test condition on the 
communications panels and show test patterns instead of the selected 
radio frequencies. The flightcrew must be aware of the selected radio 
frequencies used to communicate with air traffic control. If test 
patterns show on the communications panel during flight, it could 
adversely affect voice and transponder communication capability between 
the flightcrew and air traffic control, which could result in increased 
pilot workload.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 757-33-0050, Revision 2, 
dated December 4, 2003. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
modifying the wiring of the test ground signal for the master dim and 
test system circuit in the flight compartment. The modification 
includes an operational test. Accomplishing the actions specified in 
the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe 
condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 55 airplanes of the affected design worldwide, and 
30 airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed modification (including the 
operational test) would take between 2 and 3 work hours, depending on 
the airplane configuration, at an average labor rate of $65 per work 
hour. Required parts cost would be minimal. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed modification for U.S. operators is 
between $130 and $195 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106, 
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, 
Aviation Programs describes in more detail the scope of the agency's 
authority.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, the FAA is charged with promoting 
safety flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2004-19943; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
76-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by February 11, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to certain Boeing Model 757-200 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report that the master dim and 
test system circuit does not have wiring separation of the test 
ground signal for redundant equipment in the flight compartment. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent a single fault failure during flight 
which could result in test patterns instead of the selected radio 
frequencies showing on the communications panel. These conditions 
could adversely affect voice and transponder communication 
capability between the flightcrew and air traffic control, which 
could result in increased pilot workload.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Modification

    (f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify 
the wiring of the test ground signal for the master dim and test 
system circuit in the flight compartment by doing all the applicable 
actions specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-33-0050, Revision 
2, dated December 4, 2003.

Modifications Done Using Previous Issues of the Service Bulletin

    (g) Modifications done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 757-33-0050, dated August 
15, 2002; or Revision 1, dated January 30, 2003; are considered 
acceptable for compliance with paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 7, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-28250 Filed 12-27-04; 8:45 am]
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