[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 207 (Thursday, October 26, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62568-62570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17655]


 ========================================================================
 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.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 207 / Thursday, October 26, 2006 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 62568]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26110; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-112-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 
747-400F Series Airplanes

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 Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series 
airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacement of an electronic 
flight information system/engine indicating and crew alerting system 
(EFIS/EICAS) interface unit (EIU) located on the E2-6 shelf of the main 
equipment center with a new or modified EIU. This proposed AD results 
from two instances where all six integrated display units (IDUs) on the 
flight deck panels went blank in flight. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent loss of the IDUs due to failure of all three EIUs, which could 
result in the inability of the flightcrew to maintain safe flight and 
landing of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 11, 
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: Jay Yi, Aerospace Engineer, Systems 
and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 
(425) 917-6494; 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
26110; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-112-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

    We have received a report indicating that all six integrated 
display units (IDUs) on the flight deck panels went blank in flight, on 
two Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes. With these failures the 
primary displays of attitude, airspeed, and altitude are lost. Also, 
engine, navigation, and other status and necessary displays are lost. 
In both instances, the flightcrew was able to land the airplane safely. 
The six IDUs were returned to normal operation after cycling (pulling 
out and then pushing back) the circuit breakers for the electronic 
flight information system/engine indicating and crew alerting system 
(EFIS/EICAS) interface units (EIUs). Investigation revealed that all 
six IDUs blanked because all three of the EIUs stopped transmitting 
data to the IDUs over a period of time. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in the inability of the flightcrew to maintain 
safe flight and landing of the airplane.

Other Related Rulemaking

    On May 5, 2004, we issued AD 2004-10-05, amendment 39-13635 (69 FR 
28051, May 18, 2004), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400, 747-
400D, and 747-400F series airplanes; Model 757-200, 757-200PF, and 757-
200CB series airplanes; and Model 767-200, 767-300, and 767-300F series 
airplanes. That AD requires modification of the air data computer (ADC) 
system, which involves installing certain new circuit breakers, relays, 
and related components and making various wiring changes in and between 
the flight deck and main equipment center. For certain airplanes, that 
AD also requires accomplishment of various other actions prior to or 
concurrently with the modification of the ADC

[[Page 62569]]

system. For certain airplanes, that AD also contains an option that 
extends the compliance time to accomplish the modification of the ADC 
system. Specifically, paragraph (d)(1) of AD 2004-10-05 requires the 
following concurrent actions for Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F 
series airplanes: Replacement of EIUs with improved EIUs; installation 
of new software in the IDUs and EIUs; replacement of certain central 
maintenance computers (CMCs) with improved CMCs and modification of 
related wiring and the data loader control panel; and installation of 
new software in the CMC; as applicable. Replacing all three EIUs with 
new or modified EIUs in accordance with paragraph (f) of this proposed 
AD is acceptable for compliance with the replacement of EIUs with 
improved EIUs required by paragraph (d)(1) of AD 2004-10-05. All other 
actions required by paragraph (d)(1) of AD 2004-10-05 must be complied 
with.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368, Revision 1, 
dated July 24, 2006. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
replacing the three EIUs, part number (P/N) 622-8589-104, located on 
the E2-6 shelf of the main equipment center with EIUs that have auto 
restart circuitry, P/N 622-8589-105. Accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information is intended to adequately address 
the unsafe condition.
    Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368 refers to Rockwell Collins 
Service Bulletin EIU-7000-31-502, dated March 21, 2006, as an 
additional source of service information for modifying an EIU by adding 
auto restart circuitry, which converts EIU P/N 622-8589-104 to P/N 622-
8589-105.

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, except as discussed under 
``Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.''

Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin

    Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368 recommends replacing all three 
EIUs located on the E2-6 shelf of the main equipment center with 
improved EIUs. However, this proposed AD would require replacing only 
one of the three EIUs. Since the three EIUs are identical to provide 
triple redundancy, we have determined that replacement of at least one 
EIU will adequately address the unsafe condition of this proposed AD. 
We have coordinated this difference with Boeing.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 639 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 79 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 1 work hour per 
airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts 
would cost about $2,840 per airplane (to replace one EIU). Based on 
these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators 
is $230,680, or $2,920 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 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 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-2006-26110; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
112-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by December 
11, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) Accomplishing paragraph (f) of this AD for all three 
electronic flight information system/engine indicating and crew 
alerting system (EFIS/EICAS) interface units (EIUs) terminates 
certain requirements of AD 2004-10-05, amendment 39-13635.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-
400F series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified 
in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368, Revision 1, dated July 24, 
2006.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from two instances where all six integrated 
display units (IDUs) on the flight deck panels went blank in flight. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of the IDUs due to failure of 
all three EIUs, which could result in the inability of the 
flightcrew to maintain safe flight and landing 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

    (f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace at least one of the three EIUs, part number (P/N) 622-8589-
104,

[[Page 62570]]

located on the E2-6 shelf of the main equipment center with a new or 
modified EIU, P/N 622-8589-105, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368, 
Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006.

    Note 1: Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368, Revision 1, dated 
July 24, 2006, refers to Rockwell Collins Service Bulletin EIU-7000-
31-502, dated March 21, 2006, as an additional source of service 
information for modifying an EIU by adding auto restart circuitry, 
which converts EIU P/N 622-8589-104 to P/N 622-8589-105.

Credit for Previous Service Bulletin

    (g) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368, dated November 
22, 2005 (Revision 1 of the service bulletin specifies that the 
original issue is dated December 1, 2005), are acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraph (f) of 
this AD.

Credit for AD 2004-10-05

    (h) Replacing all three EIUs with new or modified EIUs in 
accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD is acceptable for 
compliance with only the EIU replacement of paragraph (d)(1) of AD 
2004-10-05. All other actions required by paragraph (d)(1) of AD 
2004-10-05 must be complied with.

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 October 13, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-17655 Filed 10-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P