[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 5, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 725-727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-165]
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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. 70, No. 3 / Wednesday, January 5, 2005 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19989; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-151-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-300 and -400ER 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 767-300 and -400ER series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require replacing the in-flight entertainment cooling
card, located in the P50 card file in the main equipment center, with a
new, improved cooling card. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of
an improperly designed component on the in-flight entertainment (IFE)
cooling card, which may cause the IFE cooling system to incorrectly
interpret signals from airplane system interfaces. We are proposing
this AD to prevent failure of the IFE cooling card to configure itself
correctly in response to input signals from airplane system interfaces
during a forward cargo fire, which could result in the IFE cooling fan
causing smoke to penetrate occupied areas of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 22,
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-2004-19989; the directorate identifier for this docket is
2004-NM-151-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Technical information: Clint Jones, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin
Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6471; 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-2004-19989;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-151-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 Web site, 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 that on a Boeing Model 767-400ER series
airplane, the field programmable gate array component on the in-flight
entertainment (IFE) cooling card was improperly designed. During
flight, this improperly designed component may cause failure of the
cooling card to correctly configure itself in response to input signals
from airplane system
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interfaces. The report also indicates that, during functional testing
or other ground operations, the improperly designed component may cause
nuisance failure indications for components in the IFE cooling system
that are monitored by the IFE cooling card. If the IFE cooling card is
configured correctly, the IFE cooling fan will shut down during an in-
flight event such as a cargo fire, smoke in the flight deck, electronic
equipment override selection, or IFE equipment smoke. Failure of the
IFE cooling card to configure itself correctly in response to input
signals from airplane system interfaces during a forward cargo fire, if
not corrected, could result in the IFE cooling fan causing smoke to
penetrate occupied areas of the airplane.
Boeing Model 767-300 series airplanes use the same IFE cooling card
as that on the Boeing Model 767-400ER series airplanes. Therefore, the
Boeing Model 767-300 series airplanes are subject to the same unsafe
condition.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletins 767-21-
0188 (for Model 767-300 series airplanes) and 767-21-0189 (for Model
767-400ER series airplanes), both dated May 27, 2004. The service
bulletins describe procedures for replacing the IFE cooling card with a
new, improved cooling card. The service bulletins state that the
replacement and associated functional test may be accomplished by
following the procedures in the applicable Boeing 767 Airplane
Maintenance Manual, or an ``operator's equivalent procedure.''
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, except as discussed under
``Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Information.''
Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Information
Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletins 767-21-0188 and 767-21-
0189 both specify that an operator's equivalent procedure may be used
for replacing the IFE cooling card, and for accomplishing the
associated functional test. However, this proposed AD specifies that
replacement of the IFE cooling card must be done according to the
procedures in the chapter/subject of the applicable Boeing 767 Airplane
Maintenance Manual specified in the service bulletins. This proposed AD
would allow operator's equivalent procedures to be used for the
functional test.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 32 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.
Estimated Costs
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Average Number of
Work labor Cost per U.S.-
Action hours rate per Parts airplane registered Fleet cost
hour airplanes
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Replacement............................... 1 $65 $9,500 $9,565 16 $153,040
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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, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe 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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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-2004-19989; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
151-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by February 22, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
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Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 767-300 series airplanes as
listed in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-21-0188,
dated May 27, 2004; and Boeing Model 767-400ER series airplanes, as
listed in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-21-0189,
dated May 27, 2004; certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report of an improperly designed
component on the in-flight entertainment (IFE) cooling card, which
may cause the IFE cooling system to incorrectly interpret signals
from airplane system interfaces. We are issuing this AD to prevent
failure of the IFE cooling card to configure correctly in response
to input signals from airplane system interfaces during a forward
cargo fire, which could result in the IFE cooling fan causing smoke
to penetrate occupied areas of the airplane.
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.
Replacement of IFE Cooling Card
(f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD:
Replace the IFE cooling card, part number (P/N) 285T1198-101,
located in the P50 card file in the main equipment center, with a
new, improved cooling card, P/N 285T1198-102. Do the replacement by
accomplishing all of the actions specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-21-
0188 (for Boeing Model 767-300 series airplanes); or 767-21-0189
(for Boeing Model 767-400ER series airplanes); both dated May 27,
2004; as applicable. Where the service bulletins state that the
replacement may be done using an ``operator's equivalent
procedure,'' the replacement must be done according to the
procedures in the chapter/subject of the applicable Boeing 767
Airplane Maintenance Manual specified in the service bulletins.
Parts Installation
(g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install
an IFE cooling card, P/N 285T1198-101, on any airplane.
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 27, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-165 Filed 1-4-05; 8:45 am]
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