[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 134 (Thursday, July 13, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 39597-39600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11020]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-25326; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-081-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 Series 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Boeing Model 757-200 and -300 series airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require changes to existing wiring; installation of 
new circuit breakers, relays, relay connectors, and wiring; and 
replacement of certain circuit breakers with higher-rated circuit 
breakers. For certain airplanes, this proposed AD also requires 
modification of wiring of the control module assembly for the 
electrical systems. This proposed AD results from an in-flight 
entertainment (IFE) systems review. We are proposing this AD to ensure 
that the flightcrew is able to turn off electrical power to the IFE 
system through utility bus switches in the flight compartment. The 
flightcrew's inability to turn off power to the IFE system during a 
non-normal or emergency situation could result in the inability to 
control smoke or fumes in the airplane flight deck or cabin.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 28, 2006.

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.
     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.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this 
proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Natalie Phan-Tran, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5343; fax (562) 627-5210.

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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
25326; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-081-AD'' at the beginning 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 received 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 may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may 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 
receives them.

Discussion

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completed a review of in-
flight entertainment (IFE) systems certified by supplemental type 
certificate (STC) and installed on transport category airplanes. The 
review focused on the interface between the IFE system and airplane 
electrical system, with the objective of determining if any unsafe 
conditions exist with regard to the interface. STCs issued between 1992 
and 2000 were considered for the review.
    The type of IFE systems considered for review were those that 
contain video monitors (cathode ray tubes or liquid crystal displays; 
either hanging above the aisle or mounted on individual seat backs or 
seat trays), or complex circuitry (i.e., power supplies, electronic 
distribution boxes, extensive wire routing, relatively high power 
consumption, multiple layers of circuit protection, etc.). In addition, 
in-seat power supply systems that provide power to more than 20 percent 
of the total passenger seats were also considered for the review. The 
types of IFE systems not considered for review include systems that 
provide only audio signals to each passenger seat, ordinary in-flight 
telephone systems (e.g., one telephone handset per group of seats or 
bulkhead-mounted telephones), systems that have only a video monitor on 
the forward bulkhead(s) (or a projection system) to provide passengers 
with basic airplane and flight information, and in-seat power supply 
systems that provide power to less than 20 percent of the total 
passenger seats.
    Items considered during the review include the following:
     Can the electrical bus(es) supplying power to the IFE 
system be de-energized when necessary without removing power from 
systems that may be required for continued safe flight and landing?
     Can IFE system power be removed when required without 
pulling IFE system circuit breakers (i.e., is there a

[[Page 39598]]

switch (dedicated to the IFE system or a combination of loads) located 
in the flight deck or cabin that can be used to remove IFE power?)?
     If the IFE system requires changes to flightcrew 
procedures, has the airplane flight manual (AFM) been properly amended?
     If the IFE system requires changes to cabin crew 
procedures, have they been properly amended?
     Does the IFE system require periodic or special 
maintenance?
    In all, we reviewed approximately 180 IFE systems approved by STC. 
The review results indicate that potential unsafe conditions exist on 
some IFE systems installed on various transport category airplanes. 
These conditions can be summarized as:
     Electrical bus(es) supplying power to the IFE system 
cannot be de-energized when necessary without removing power from 
systems that may be required for continued safe flight and landing.
     Power cannot be removed from the IFE system when required 
without pulling IFE system circuit breakers (i.e., there is no switch 
dedicated to the IFE system or combination of systems for the purpose 
of removing power).
     Installation of the IFE system has affected crew 
(flightcrew and/or cabin crew) procedures, but the procedures have not 
been properly revised.
    The IFE system on the Model 757-200 and -300 series airplanes is 
connected to an electrical bus that cannot be deactivated without also 
removing power from airplane systems necessary for safe flight and 
landing. There is no other means to remove power from the IFE system. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in the flightcrew's 
inability to turn off electrical power to the IFE system through 
utility bus switches in the flight compartment during a non-normal or 
emergency situation, and consequent inability to control smoke or fumes 
in the airplane flight deck or cabin.

Other Relevant Rulemaking

    We have issued numerous ADs previously that address unsafe 
conditions and require corrective actions similar to those that would 
be required by the proposed AD. Those ADs and the applicable airplanes 
and STC number are identified in the following table.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Airplanes                                  STC No.                            AD reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbus Model A340-211 airplanes......  ST09092AC-D...............................  AD 2001-18-01, amendment 39-
                                                                                    12427 (66 FR 46939,
                                                                                    September 10, 2001).
Boeing Model 737-200 series airplanes  ST00516AT.................................  AD 2004-05-27, amendment 39-
                                                                                    13522 (69 FR 12063, March
                                                                                    15, 2004).
Boeing Model 737-300 series airplanes  ST00171SE.................................  AD 2001-14-10, amendment 39-
                                                                                    12321 (66 FR 36455, July 12,
                                                                                    2001).
Boeing Model 737-700 series airplanes  ST09100AC-D, ST09104AC-D, ST09105AC-D,      AD 2001-14-12, amendment 39-
                                        ST09106AC-D.                                12323 (66 FR 36452, July 12,
                                                                                    2001).
Boeing Model 737-600, -700, -800       Not applicable............................  AD 2003-26-12, amendment 39-
 series airplanes and Model 757-200                                                 13411 (69 FR 861, January 7,
 and -300 series airplanes.                                                         2004).
Boeing Model 747-100 and -200 series   SA8622SW..................................  AD 2001-14-11, amendment 39-
 airplanes.                                                                         12322 (66 FR 36453, July 12,
                                                                                    2001).
Boeing Model 747-100 and -200 series   ST00196SE.................................  AD 2001-16-19, amendment 39-
 airplanes.                                                                         12388 (66 FR 43068, August
                                                                                    17, 2001).
Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes  SA8843SW..................................  AD 2001-14-15, amendment 39-
                                                                                    12326 (66 FR 36447, July 12,
                                                                                    2001).
Boeing Model 747SP series airplanes..  ST09097AC-D...............................  AD 2001-14-14, amendment 39-
                                                                                    12325 (66 FR 36449, July 12,
                                                                                    2001).
Boeing Model 757-200 series airplanes  SA1727GL..................................  AD 2001-14-01, amendment 39-
                                                                                    12311 (66 FR 36149, July 11,
                                                                                    2001).
Boeing Model 767-200 series airplanes  SA4998NM..................................  AD 2001-16-21, amendment 39-
                                                                                    12390 (66 FR 43072, August
                                                                                    17, 2001).
Boeing Model 767-200 series airplanes  SA5134NM..................................  AD 2001-16-20, amendment 39-
                                                                                    12389 (66 FR 43066, August
                                                                                    17, 2001).
Boeing Model 767-200 series airplanes  ST09022AC-D...............................  AD 2001-14-13, amendment 39-
                                                                                    12324 (66 FR 36450, July 12,
                                                                                    2001).
Boeing Model 767-300 series airplanes  SA5765NM, SA5978NM........................  AD 2001-16-17, amendment 39-
                                                                                    12386 (66 FR 42937, August
                                                                                    16, 2001).
Boeing Model 767-300 series airplanes  SA7019NM-D................................  AD 2001-18-08, amendment 39-
                                                                                    12434 (66 FR 46517,
                                                                                    September 6, 2001).
Boeing Model 767-300 series airplanes  ST00118SE.................................  AD 2001-14-04, amendment 39-
                                                                                    12314 (66 FR 36699, July 13,
                                                                                    2001).
Boeing Model 767-300 series airplanes  ST00157SE.................................  AD 2001-16-18, amendment 39-
                                                                                    12387 (66 FR 43070, August
                                                                                    17, 2001).
Boeing Model 767-300 series airplanes  ST01869AT-D...............................  AD 2002-26-14, amendment 39-
                                                                                    13002 (68 FR 1525, January
                                                                                    13, 2003).
Boeing Model 767-300 series airplanes  ST01783AT-D...............................  AD 2003-07-15, amendment 39-
                                                                                    13111 (68 FR 18535, April
                                                                                    16, 2003).
Boeing Model 767-200 and -300 series   Not applicable............................  AD 2003-14-10, amendment 39-
 airplanes.                                                                         13229 (68 FR 42583, July 18,
                                                                                    2003; corrected at 68 FR
                                                                                    44385, July 28, 2003).
McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-51 and    SA8026NM..................................  AD 2001-14-02, amendment 39-
 DC-9-83 airplanes.                                                                 12312 (66 FR 36456, July 12,
                                                                                    2001).
McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-30       SA8452SW..................................  AD 2001-16-22, amendment 39-
 airplanes.                                                                         12391 (66 FR 43074, August
                                                                                    17, 2001).

[[Page 39599]]

 
McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-30       ST00054SE.................................  AD 2001-14-03, amendment 39-
 airplanes.                                                                         12313 (66 FR 36150, July 11,
                                                                                    2001) (Inadvertently
                                                                                    referenced by the Federal
                                                                                    Register as AD 2001-13-03,
                                                                                    in the Agency Docket Number
                                                                                    heading, on page 36150, in
                                                                                    the third column).
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11          ST00236LA-D (Santa Barbara Aerospace).....  AD 99-20-08, amendment 39-
 airplanes.                                                                         11338 (64 FR 52221,
                                                                                    September 28, 1999).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-0093, dated August 
14, 2003 (for Model 757-200 series airplanes); and Boeing Service 
Bulletin 757-24-0094, dated April 17, 2003 (for Model 757-300 series 
airplanes). The service bulletins describe the following procedures:
     For all airplanes, changing the wiring at the P5 and P11 
panel assemblies in the flight compartment, at the P36 panel assembly 
in the forward cargo compartment, and at the P37 and P70 panel 
assemblies in the main electronics compartment.
     For all airplanes, installing a new relay at the P36 panel 
assembly in the forward cargo compartment and at the P37 panel assembly 
in the main electronics compartment.
     For certain Model 757-200 series airplanes, installing new 
circuit breakers C3090 and C3089 at the P37 and P70 panel assemblies, 
respectively, in the main electronics compartment.
     For certain Model 757-200 series airplanes and certain 
Model 757-300 series airplanes, replacing circuit breakers C311 and 
C315 at the P31 and P32 panel assemblies, respectively, in the main 
electronics compartment with higher-rated circuit breakers.
     For all Model 757-300 series airplanes, installing a relay 
connector at the P37 panel assembly and at the P36 panel assembly.
     For certain Model 757-300 series airplanes, installing new 
wires between the P5 panel assembly in the flight compartment and the 
P36 and P37 panel assemblies in the main electronics compartment.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

Concurrent Service Information

    For certain Model 757-200 series airplanes, Boeing Service Bulletin 
757-24-0093 also recommends concurrent accomplishment of Boeing 
Component Service Bulletin 233N3209-24-04, Revision 1, dated August 14, 
2003. Boeing Component Service Bulletin 233N3209-24-04 describes 
procedures for modifying the wiring of the control module assembly for 
the electrical systems. The modification includes installing new wiring 
and changing the existing wiring of the control module assembly.

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. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, 
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 548 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 332 Model 757-200 
and 7-300 airplanes of U.S. registry. The following table provides the 
estimated costs, at an average labor rate of $80 per hour, for U.S. 
operators to comply with this proposed AD. The estimated work hours and 
cost of parts in the following table depend on the relay and wiring 
configuration of an airplane.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                      Number of U.S.-
                Model                         Action            Work hours           Parts         Cost per airplane    registered        Fleet cost
                                                                                                                         airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
757-200 series airplanes............  Installation..........           38-46       $2,781-$5,917       $5,821-$9,597             318  $1,851,078-$3,051,
                                                                                                                                                     846
                                      Concurrent                           3               73-90             313-330             318      99,534-104,940
                                       modification.
757-300 series airplanes............  Installation..........              22         2,080-4,632         3,840-6,392              14       53,760-89,488
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 39600]]

    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 and placed it in the AD docket. 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2006-25326; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
081-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by August 
28, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the Boeing airplanes identified in 
paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any 
category.
    (1) Model 757-200 series airplanes, as identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 757-24-0093, dated August 14, 2003.
    (2) Model 757-300 series airplanes, as identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 757-24-0094, dated April 17, 2003.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from an in-flight entertainment (IFE) 
systems review. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew 
is able to turn off electrical power to the IFE system through 
utility bus switches in the flight compartment. The flightcrew's 
inability to turn off power to the IFE system during a non-normal or 
emergency situation could result in the inability to control smoke 
or fumes in the airplane flight deck or cabin.

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.

Installation of Circuit Breakers, Relays, and Wiring

    (f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
applicable actions specified in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(6) of 
this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-0093, dated August 14, 2003 (for 
Model 757-200 series airplanes); or Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-
0094, dated April 17, 2003 (Model 757-300 series airplanes), as 
applicable.
    (1) For all airplanes: Change the wiring at the P5 and P11 panel 
assemblies in the flight compartment, at the P36 panel assembly in 
the forward cargo compartment, and at the P37 and P70 panel 
assemblies in the main electronics compartment. Install a new relay 
and relay connector, if applicable, at the P36 panel assembly and at 
the P37 panel assembly.
    (2) For Model 757-200 series airplanes identified as Group 1 in 
Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-0093, dated August 14, 2003: Install 
new circuit breakers C3090 and C3089 at the P37 and P70 panel 
assemblies, respectively, in the main electronics compartment.
    (3) For Model 757-200 series airplanes identified as Groups 21 
and 22 in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-0093, dated August 14, 
2003: Replace circuit breaker C311 at the P31 panel assembly in the 
main electronics compartment with a higher-rated circuit breaker.
    (4) For Model 757-200 series airplanes identified as Groups 1 
through 20 inclusive and 23 through 40 inclusive in Boeing Service 
Bulletin 757-24-0093, dated August 14, 2003: Replace circuit 
breakers C311 and C315 at the P31 and P32 panel assemblies, 
respectively, in the main electronics compartment with higher-rated 
circuit breakers.
    (5) For Model 757-300 series airplanes identified as Groups 1 
and 4 in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-0094, dated April 17, 2003: 
Replace circuit breakers C311 and C315 at the P31 and P32 panel 
assemblies, respectively, in the main electronics compartment with 
higher-rated circuit breakers.
    (6) For Model 757-300 series airplanes identified as Groups 1, 
2, and 3 in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-0094, dated April 17, 
2003: Install new wires between the P5 panel assembly in the flight 
compartment and the P36 and P37 panel assemblies in the main 
electronics compartment.

Concurrent Requirement for Certain Airplanes

    (g) For the Model 757-200 series airplanes identified as Groups 
8, 9, 12, 15, 20, 21 through 32 inclusive, and 34 through 40 
inclusive in Boeing Service Bulletin 757-24-0093, dated August 14, 
2003: Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the actions 
specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, modify the wiring of the 
control module assembly for the electrical systems, by accomplishing 
all of the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Component Service Bulletin 233N3209-24-04, Revision 1, dated 
August 14, 2003, as applicable.

Credit for Accomplishment of Previous Service Bulletin

    (h) Modification of the control module assembly done before the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Component 
Service Bulletin 233N3209-24-04, dated April 10, 2003, is acceptable 
for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) 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.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
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 July 3, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-11020 Filed 7-12-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P