[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 15, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34644-34646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11712]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19203; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-109-AD; 
Amendment 39-14127; AD 2005-12-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Boeing Model 757-200 series airplanes. This AD requires 
modifying the frequency converters located in the closet assembly in 
the passenger compartment, and making various wiring changes in and 
between the closet assembly and forward purser work station. This AD 
also requires modifying the in-flight entertainment system prior to or 
concurrently with the modification of the frequency converters. This AD 
is prompted by a certification review that revealed a frequency 
converter failure mode not identified in the original system design. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent a short circuit between the frequency 
converter output and the distribution circuit breakers, which could 
result in overheating and failure of adjacent wiring and consequent 
adverse effects on other systems sharing the affected wire bundle.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 20, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of July 
20, 2005.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-
2207. You can examine this information at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of 
this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
    Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any 
final disposition. 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 U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2004-19203; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-109-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for certain Boeing Model 757-200 series airplanes. That 
action, published in the Federal Register on September 29, 2004 (69 FR 
58109), proposed to require modifying the frequency converters located 
in the closet assembly in the passenger compartment, and making various 
wiring changes in and between the closet assembly and forward purser 
work station. That action also proposed to require modifying the in-
flight entertainment system prior to or concurrently with the 
modification of the frequency converters.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments that have been 
submitted on the proposed AD from a single commenter.

Request To Clarify Discussion Section

    The commenter states that the last sentence in the second paragraph 
of the Discussion section of the proposed AD is unclear as written, and 
asks that it be clarified. The commenter notes that the sentence 
specifies ``Therefore, all of these models may be subject to the same 
unsafe condition.'' The commenter states that the sentence should be 
changed to read ``Therefore, 757-200 series airplanes with frequency 
converters may have an unsafe condition.''
    We acknowledge the commenter's request for clarification of the 
Discussion section of the proposed AD; however, that section is not 
restated in this final rule. In addition, the certification review 
specified in the Discussion section of the proposed AD is of a Model 
737-700C series airplane, and the second paragraph merely clarifies 
that the frequency converters on certain Model 757-200 series airplanes 
are identical to those on the affected Model 737-700C series airplanes.

Request To Clarify Number of Airplanes in Costs of Compliance Section

    The commenter states that the description for the number of 
airplanes specified in the first paragraph of the Costs of Compliance 
section of the proposed AD is unclear as written, and asks for 
clarification. The commenter notes that the first paragraph specifies 
``This proposed AD would affect about 4 airplanes of U.S. registry and 
4 airplanes worldwide.'' The commenter states that the paragraph should 
be changed to read ``This proposed AD

[[Page 34645]]

would affect 4 airplanes worldwide. All four are of U.S. registry.''
    We agree with the commenter and have changed the subject paragraph 
for clarification.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments that have been submitted, and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD affects 4 airplanes worldwide; all of the airplanes are of 
U.S. registry.
    For airplanes listed in Group 1 of Service Bulletin 757-25-0255: 
The modification takes about 97 work hours (including access, close-up, 
and test), at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost about $10,710 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the modification for U.S. operators is $17,015 per 
airplane.
    For airplanes listed in Group 2 of Service Bulletin 757-25-0255: 
The modification takes about 105 work hours (including access, close-
up, and test), at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost about $10,956 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the modification for U.S. operators is $17,781 per 
airplane.
    For airplanes listed in Group 1 of Service Bulletin 757-24-0093: 
The concurrent modification, if not previously done, takes about 49 
work hours, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost about $5,315 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the modification for U.S. operators is $8,500 per 
airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. 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.
    We are issuing this rulemaking 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 
rulemaking action.

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 this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2005-12-11 Boeing: Amendment 39-14127. Docket No. FAA-2004-19203; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-109-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective July 20, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model 757-200 series airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 
757-25-0255, dated December 11, 2003.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a certification review that revealed 
a frequency converter failure mode not identified in the original 
system design. We are issuing this AD to prevent a short circuit 
between the frequency converter output and the distribution circuit 
breakers, which could result in overheating and failure of adjacent 
wiring and consequent degraded operation of airplane systems.

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) For all airplanes: Within 18 months after the effective date 
of this AD modify the frequency converters located in the closet 
assembly in the passenger compartment by doing all the applicable 
actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Service Bulletin 757-25-0255, dated December 11, 2003.

Prior or Concurrent Modification

    (g) For Group 1 airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 
757-24-0093, dated August 14, 2003: Before or concurrent with 
accomplishment of paragraph (f) of this AD, modify the in-flight 
entertainment system by doing all the applicable actions in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-0093, dated August 
14, 2003.

Part Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
frequency converter having part number 1-002-0102-0730 on any 
airplane unless that frequency converter has been modified as 
required by paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i) 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (j) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 757-25-0255, dated 
December 11, 2003; and Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-0093, dated 
August 14, 2003; as applicable; to perform the actions that are 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director 
of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of 
these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. For copies of the service information, contact Boeing Commercial 
Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. For 
information on the availability of this material at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or 
go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. You may view the AD docket at the 
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400

[[Page 34646]]

Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 27, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-11712 Filed 6-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P