[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 11, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18210-18213]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-3437]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24409; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-057-AD; 
Amendment 39-14555; AD 2005-05-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-
100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747SP, 747SR, 
767-200, 767-300, 777-200, 777-300, and 777-300ER Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting airworthiness directive (AD) 2005-05-20 that was sent 
previously to all known affected U.S. operators of certain Boeing Model 
747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-

[[Page 18211]]

200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747SP, 747SR, 767-200, 767-300, 777-
200, 777-300, and 777-300ER series airplanes by individual notices. 
This AD requires modification of certain flight deck door electronic 
equipment. This AD results from a report indicating that this equipment 
is defective. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of this 
equipment, which could jeopardize flight safety.

DATES: This AD becomes effective April 17, 2006 to all persons except 
those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by AD 2005-05-
20, issued April 14, 2005, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment.
    We must receive comments on this AD by June 12, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this 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.
     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 AD, contact Boeing 
Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207.
    Docket: The AD docket contains this 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-2006-24409; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2005-NM-057-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Georgios Roussos, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056; telephone (425) 917-6482; fax (425) 917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On April 14, 2005, we issued AD 2005-05-20, which applies to 
certain Boeing 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200F, 
747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747SP, 747SR, 767-200, 767-300, 777-200, 
777-300, and 777-300ER series airplanes. AD 2005-05-20 was sent to 
affected operators having airplanes that have certain affected flight 
deck door electronic equipment.

Background

    We have received a report indicating that certain flight deck door 
electronic equipment is defective. The defect, if not corrected, could 
result in a failure of the equipment, which could jeopardize flight 
safety.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed the Boeing service bulletins listed in the table 
below. These service bulletins describe procedures for correcting the 
defect in the flight deck door electronic equipment. Accomplishing the 
actions specified in the applicable service information is intended to 
adequately address the unsafe condition.

                                            Boeing Service Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Boeing service
       Affected Boeing model and series             bulletin                           Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-      747-52-2274  February 21, 2005.
 200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747SP,
 747SR.
767-200, 767-300..............................       767-52-0087  February 21, 2005
777-200, 777-300, 777-300ER...................       777-52-0035  February 21, 2005
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Boeing service bulletins refer to Northwest Aerospace 
Technologies Service Bulletin 44N00004-52-01, dated March 1, 2005, as 
an additional source of service information.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop 
on other airplanes of the same type design, we issued AD 2005-05-20 to 
prevent a failure of certain flight deck door electronic equipment. The 
AD requires modifying the equipment using a method approved by the 
Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA. The Boeing service 
information previously described has been approved for this purpose.
    We found that immediate corrective action was required; therefore, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual notices 
issued on April 14, 2005, to all known affected U.S. operators of 
certain Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-
200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747SP, 747SR, 767-200, 767-300, 777-
200, 777-300, and 777-300ER series airplanes. These conditions still 
exist, and this AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an 
amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
39.13) to make it effective to all persons. We are publishing this AD 
to ensure that, in the event that persons who did not receive an 
individual notice acquire an affected airplane that has not been 
modified, these persons are aware of the AD, so they can make the 
necessary modifications.

Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph

    We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure 
for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any relevant written 
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an 
address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No.

[[Page 18212]]

FAA-2006-24409; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-057-AD'' at the 
beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the 
overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend the AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive 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 AD. Using the search function of our docket 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 the 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.

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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If this 
emergency regulation is later deemed significant under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures, we will prepare a final regulatory evaluation 
and place it in the AD Docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation, if filed.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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):

2005-05-20 Boeing: Amendment 39-14555. Docket No. FAA-2006-24409; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-057-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective April 17, 2006, to all persons 
except those persons to whom it was made immediately effective by AD 
2005-05-20, issued on April 14, 2005, which contained the 
requirements of this amendment.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the airplanes identified in Table 1 of 
this AD, certificated in any category.

                                             Table 1.--Applicability
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                As identified in
            Boeing model and series              Boeing service                        Date
                                                    bulletin
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-      747-52-2274  February 21, 2005.
 200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747SP, and
 747SR.
767-200 and 767-300...........................       767-52-0087  February 21, 2005.
777-200, 777-300, and 777-300ER...............       777-52-0035  February 21, 2005.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report indicating that certain flight 
deck door electronic equipment is defective. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to prevent failure of this equipment.

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 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Modify 
the flight deck door electronic equipment in accordance with a 
method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA. Doing all actions in the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable Boeing service bulletin identified in 
Table 1 of this AD is one approved method.


    Note 1: The Boeing service bulletins identified in Table 1 of 
this AD refer to Northwest Aerospace Technologies Service Bulletin 
44N00004-52-01, dated March 1, 2005, as an additional source of 
service information.


    Note 2: This AD retains certain requirements of AD 2005-05-20. 
The corresponding paragraph identifiers for these requirements have 
changed in this AD, as listed in the following table:


                 Table 2.--Revised Paragraph Identifiers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Corresponding requirement in
     Requirement in SSAD 2005-05-20                   this AD
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paragraph (g)...........................  Paragraph (f).
Paragraph (i)...........................  Paragraph (g).
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures 
found in 14 CFR 39.19.

[[Page 18213]]

    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 4, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-3437 Filed 4-10-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P