[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 11, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40832-40834]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16962]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0678; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-285-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain The Boeing Company Model 747-400, and -400F series airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by multiple reports of integrated display 
unit (IDU) malfunctions and mode control panel (MCP) malfunctions. This 
proposed AD would require installing new software, replacing the duct 
assembly with a new duct assembly, making wiring changes, and routing 
certain wire bundles. We are proposing this AD to prevent IDU 
malfunctions, which could affect the ability of the flight crew to read 
primary displays for airplane attitude, altitude, or airspeed, and 
consequently reduce the ability of the flight crew to maintain control 
of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 27, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above 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, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ana Martinez Hueto, Aerospace 
Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, FAA, 
Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6592; fax: 425-917-6591; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 40833]]

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0678; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-285-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We have received reports of IDU malfunctions and MCP malfunctions 
on Model 747-400, and -400F series airplanes. The reports range from a 
single display malfunction to all six primary IDUs going blank with an 
MCP malfunction, during various flight phases. Moisture in the flight 
deck cooling supply air could cause the IDU to blink, lose focus, or 
display in monochrome and the MCP to go blank. This condition, if not 
corrected, could affect the ability of the flight crew to read primary 
displays for airplane attitude, altitude, or airspeed, and consequently 
reduce the ability of the flight crew to maintain control of the 
airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 1, 
dated October 3, 2011. This service information specifies installing 
new integrated display system (IDS) software, replacing the duct 
assembly with a new duct assembly, making wiring changes, and routing 
certain wire bundles.
    Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 1, dated 
October 3, 2011, refers to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2426, dated 
July 29, 2010 (for airplanes with Rolls-Royce engines); Boeing Service 
Bulletin 747-31-2427, dated July 29, 2010 (for airplanes with General 
Electric engines); and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2428, dated July 
29, 2010 (for airplanes with Pratt & Whitney engines); as additional 
sources of guidance for installing certain IDS 508 software in each of 
the six IDUs and in each of the three EFIS/EICAS interface units (EIUs)

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 33 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace duct assembly and do wiring     41 work-hours x $85 per          $20,121         $23,606        $778,998
 changes.                                hour = $3,485.
Software change.......................  3 work-hours x $85 per                 0             255           8,415
                                         hour = $255.
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    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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 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 this 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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):


[[Page 40834]]


The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2012-0678; Directorate Identifier 
2011-NM-285-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 27, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 747-400 and -400F 
series airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 1, dated October 
3, 2011.

 (d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 21, Air Conditioning.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by multiple reports of integrated display 
unit (IDU) malfunctions and mode control panel (MCP) malfunctions. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent integrated display unit (IDU) 
malfunctions, which could affect the ability of the flight crew to 
read primary displays for airplane attitude, altitude, or airspeed, 
and consequently reduce the ability of the flight crew to maintain 
control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Software Update

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Install 
integrated display system software, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
21A2523, Revision 1, dated October 3, 2011.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD:  Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 1, dated October 3, 2011, refers to 
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2426, dated July 29, 2010 (for 
airplanes with Rolls-Royce engines); Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-
2427, dated July 29, 2010 (for airplanes with General Electric 
engines); and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2428, dated July 29, 
2010 (for airplanes with Pratt & Whitney engines); as additional 
sources of guidance for the software installation specified by 
paragraph (g) of this AD.

(h) Replacement of Duct Assembly and Wiring Changes

    Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace 
the duct assembly with a new duct assembly, do wiring changes, and 
route certain wire bundles, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-21A2523, Revision 
1, dated October 3, 2011.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

 (j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, Ana Martinez Hueto, 
Aerospace Engineer, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, 
ANM-150S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6592; fax: 
425-917-6591; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 
206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may review copies of the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 29, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-16962 Filed 7-10-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P