[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 194 (Friday, October 7, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58628-58631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-20270]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22628; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-056-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-300, -400, -500, -700, 
and -800 Series Airplanes; Model 747-400 and -400F Series Airplanes; 
Model 757-200 Series Airplanes; Model 767-300 Series Airplanes; and 
Model 777-300 Series Airplanes Equipped With Certain Driessen or Showa 
Galleys or Driessen Closets

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (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 transport category airplanes. This proposed AD would 
require inspecting to determine if certain galleys and closets are 
installed, and replacing the spiral wire wrapping of the electrical 
cables of the galleys and closets with new spiral wire wrapping if 
necessary. This proposed AD results from testing and reports from the 
manufacturer indicating unacceptable flammability properties of wire 
wrapping installed in certain galleys and closets. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent fire propagation or smoke in the cabin area due to 
electrical arcing or sparking and ignition of the spiral wire wrapping.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 21, 
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-2005-22628; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2005-NM-056-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Rosanske, 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) 917-6448; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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-2005-22628; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-056-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.

[[Page 58629]]

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 Docket Management System 
(DMS) receives them.

Discussion

    We received reports of testing by the manufacturer indicating 
unacceptable flammability properties of the spiral wire wrapping of the 
electrical cables in certain galleys and closets on various Boeing 
transport category airplanes. The existing spiral wire wrapping of 
certain galleys and closets was not tested for flammability standards 
and may not self-extinguish in the event of a fire. Electrical arcing 
or sparking and ignition of the spiral wire wrapping could result in 
fire propagation or smoke in the cabin area.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed the service information identified in the 
following table.

                           Service Information
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Boeing                Revision                Dated
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Special Attention Service                  1  November 11, 2004.
 Bulletin 737-25-1438.
Service Bulletin 737-25-1439               3  November 11, 2004.
Special Attention Service                  1  November 11, 2004.
 Bulletin 747-25-3264.
Service Bulletin 747-25-3275               1  April 4, 2002.
Special Attention Service                  2  November 11, 2004.
 Bulletin 757-25-0238.
Special Attention Service                  1  November 11, 2004.
 Bulletin 767-25-0297.
Special Attention Service                  1  November 11, 2004.
 Bulletin 777-25-0180.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The service bulletins and special attention service bulletins 
describe procedures for replacing existing spiral wire wrapping of the 
electrical cables of the galleys and closets with new spiral protective 
wrapping that has been shown to meet certain flammability testing 
requirements. The procedures also describe installing a modification 
placard to indicate that new spiral protective wrapping has been 
installed. Each of the service bulletins reference Dreissen Aircraft 
Interior Systems Service Bulletin SB 25-442, Revision E, dated April 
29, 2004, and Showa Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd., Service Bulletin SB 
25-30-111, dated December 11, 2000, as applicable, as additional 
sources of service information. 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 
``Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information.''

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Information

    Each of the Boeing service bulletins referenced in this proposed AD 
specify certain Boeing series airplanes. However, this proposed AD is 
applicable to all the airplane models specified. Since galleys and 
closets may be removed from one airplane and installed in another 
airplane, this proposed AD would also require an inspection to 
determine if certain galleys or closets are installed, or a maintenance 
record check of the airplane to determine if certain galleys or closets 
are installed.
    Although the Boeing service bulletins refer to accomplishment of 
certain Driessen Aircraft Interior Systems and Showa service bulletins, 
or ``the latest FAA-approved revision,'' this proposed AD would require 
accomplishment of the Driessen Aircraft Interior Systems and Showa 
service bulletins specified in this proposed AD. Using the phrase, ``or 
later FAA-approved revision,'' violates Office of the Federal Register 
regulations for approving materials that are incorporated by reference. 
However, affected operators may request approval to use a later 
revision of the referenced service bulletin as an alternative method of 
compliance, under the provisions of paragraph (j) of the proposed AD.
    The Boeing service bulletins also specify an imprecise compliance 
time for replacing the spiral protective wrapping of the electrical 
cables of the galley, i.e., ``at the next heavy maintenance check.'' 
This proposed AD would require replacement within 72 months after the 
effective date of the AD, and we have coordinated this compliance time 
with the manufacturer.
    Additionally, for clarification and for the purposes of this 
proposed AD, the use of the term ``galley'' includes the terms 
``buffet'' and ``closets'' referenced in certain service information 
specified in this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 5,177 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 2,621 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed inspection to determine part numbers of the 
galleys would take about 1 work hour per galley, at an average labor 
rate of $65 per work hour. Some airplanes have only one galley and some 
have up to 11 galleys. With the exception of Boeing Model 777-300 
airplanes, we estimate the cost of the inspection proposed in this AD 
for U.S. operators to be between $65 and $715 per airplane.
    If an operator is required to replace the spiral protective 
wrapping of the electrical cables of the galley, we estimate that cost 
to be as follows:
    1. For Dreissen galleys: About two work hours per galley, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour, and the estimated cost for the 
new spiral protective wrapping to be about $1,450, per galley. The 
estimated total cost would be about $1,580, per galley.
    2. For Showa galleys: About 20 work hours per galley, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour, and the estimated cost of the new 
spiral protective wrapping to be about $1,550, per galley. The 
estimated total cost would be about $2,850, per galley.
    Currently, there are no Boeing Model 777-300 airplanes with the 
subject galleys on the U.S. Register. However, if a Model 777-300 is 
imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, the required 
actions would take about 1

[[Page 58630]]

work hour per galley, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour.

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 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-2005-22628; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-
056-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by November 21, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing transport category airplanes 
equipped with certain Driessen Aircraft Interior Systems or Showa 
galleys, certificated in any category; as identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) through (c)(5) inclusive of this AD.
    (1) Model 737-300, -400, -500, -700, and -800 series airplanes;
    (2) Model 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes;
    (3) Model 757-200 series airplanes;
    (4) Model 767-300 series airplanes;
    (5) Model 777-300 series airplanes.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This proposed AD results from testing and reports from the 
manufacturer indicating unacceptable flammability properties of wire 
wrapping installed in certain galleys and closets. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent fire propagation or smoke in the cabin area due 
to electrical arcing or sparking and ignition of the spiral wire 
wrapping.

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.

    Note 1: For clarification and for the purposes of this AD, the 
use of the term ``galley'' also includes the terms ``buffet'' and 
``closets'' that are referenced in certain service information 
specified in this AD.

Determination of Part Installation

    (f) Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect the galleys to determine if any of the part numbers (P/Ns) 
installed are identified in the applicable service information 
specified in Table 1 of this AD. Instead of inspecting the galleys 
to determine if the P/Ns are installed, a review of airplane 
maintenance records is acceptable if the P/Ns can be positively 
determined from that review.

   Table 1.--Service Bulletins and Special Attention Service Bulletins
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Model and service
         information             Revision                Dated
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing Special Attention                   1  November 11, 2004.
 Service Bulletin 737-25-
 1438, for Model 737-300, -
 400, and -500 series
 airplanes.
Boeing Service Bulletin 737-               3  November 11, 2004.
 25-1439, for Model 737-700
 and -800 series airplanes.
Boeing Special Attention                   1  November 11, 2004.
 Service Bulletin 747-25-
 3264, for Model 747-400
 series airplanes.
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-               1  April 4, 2002.
 25-3275, for Model 747-400F
 series airplanes.
Boeing Special Attention 757-              2  November 11, 2004.
 25-0238, for Model 757-200
 series airplanes.
Boeing Special Attention                   1  November 11, 2004.
 Service Bulletin 767-25-
 0297, for Model 767-300
 series airplanes.
Boeing Special Attention                   1  November 11, 2004.
 Service Bulletin 777-25-
 0180, for Model 777-300
 series airplanes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 2: The service bulletin and special attention service 
bulletins specified in Table 1 of this AD reference Dreissen 
Aircraft Interior Systems Service Bulletin SB 25-442, Revision E, 
dated April 29, 2004; and Showa Aircraft Industry Co., Ltd., Service 
Bulletin SB 25-30-111, dated December 11, 2000; as applicable; as 
additional sources of service information.

If Certain Galleys Are Not Installed

    (g) If no galley is installed having any P/N identified in the 
service information specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, no 
further action is required by this AD.

If Certain Galleys Are Installed

    (h) If any galley is installed having any P/N identified in the 
service information specified in paragraph (f) of this AD: Within 72 
months after the effective date of this AD, replace the spiral 
protective wrapping of the electrical cables of the galley with new 
spiral protective wrapping that has been shown to meet certain 
flammability testing requirements, in accordance with the applicable 
service information specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.

Credit for Previous Replacement

    (i) Replacement of the spiral protective wrapping of the 
electrical cables of any galley with new spiral protective wrapping 
that has been shown to meet certain flammability

[[Page 58631]]

testing requirements, in accordance with the service information 
listed in the Table 2 of this AD, prior to the effective date of 
this AD, is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of 
paragraph (h) of this AD.

                                        Table 2.--Previous Accomplishment
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        Boeing service information                    Revision                             Dated
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Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25- Original.....................  March 15, 2001.
 1438.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25- Original.....................  March 15, 2001.
 1439.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-25- 1............................  August 2, 2001.
 1439.
Service Bulletin 737-25-1439.............  2............................  December 19, 2001.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25- Original.....................  March 15, 2001.
 3264.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 747-25- Original.....................  March 15, 2001.
 3275.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25- Original.....................  March 15, 2001.
 0238.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 757-25- 1............................  November 15, 2001.
 0238.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 767-25- Original.....................  March 15, 2001.
 0297.
Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-25- Original.....................  March 15, 2001.
 0180.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any replacement required by this AD, if it is approved by 
an Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized 
by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair 
method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis 
of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this 
AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 28, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-20270 Filed 10-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P