[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 77 (Monday, April 22, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23690-23691]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09422]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0034; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-021-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that 
proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing 
Company Model 777-200 series airplanes. The proposed AD would have 
required installing a new circuit breaker, relays, and wiring to allow 
the flightcrew to turn off electrical power to the in-flight 
entertainment (IFE) systems and other non-essential electrical systems 
through a switch in the flight compartment, and doing other specified 
actions. This proposed AD would also have required installing a new 
cabin system control panel (CSCP); installing a new cabin management 
system (CMS) configuration database; and installing new operational 
program software (OPS) for the CSCP, zone management unit (ZMU), 
passenger address controller, cabin interphone controller, cabin area 
control panel (CACP), speaker drive module, overhead electronics units, 
and seat electronics unit. Since the proposed AD was issued, we have 
received new data that indicates the unsafe condition would not be 
adequately addressed by the proposed action. Subsequently, we are 
considering issuing new rulemaking that positively addresses the unsafe 
condition identified in the NPRM and eliminates the need for the 
actions proposed in the NPRM. Accordingly, the proposed AD is 
withdrawn.

ADDRESSES: 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 AD action, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is the Document 
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ray Mei, Aerospace Engineer, Systems 
and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6467; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We proposed to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 
(14 CFR part 39) with a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for a new 
AD for certain Model 777-200 series airplanes. That NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on February 1, 2011 (76 FR 5505). The NPRM would 
have required installing a new circuit breaker, relays, and wiring to 
allow the flightcrew to turn off electrical power to the IFE systems 
and other non-essential electrical systems through a switch in the 
flight compartment, and doing other specified actions. The actions 
included removing the CSCP core partition software, the CACP OPS, the 
ZMU OPS, and the cabin system management unit (CSMU) OPS; installing 
OPS for the CSCP, CACP, ZMU, and CSMU; and installing the new 
configuration database (CDB). That NPRM would also have required 
installing a new CSCP; installing a new CMS CDB, installing passenger 
address controller, cabin

[[Page 23691]]

interphone controller, speaker drive module, overhead electronics 
units, and seat electronics unit. The NPRM resulted from an IFE systems 
review. The proposed actions were intended to ensure that the 
flightcrew is able to turn off electrical power to the IFE system and 
other non-essential electrical systems through a switch in the flight 
compartment in the event of smoke or flames. The flightcrew's inability 
to turn off electrical power to the IFE system and other non-essential 
electrical systems in the event of smoke or flames could result in the 
inability to control smoke or flames in the airplane flight deck or 
passenger cabin during a non-normal or emergency situation.

Actions Since NPRM (76 FR 5505, February 1, 2011) Was Issued

    Since we issued the NPRM (76 FR 5505, February 1, 2011), we have 
received new data that indicates the unsafe condition would not be 
adequately addressed by the proposed action. Subsequently, we are 
considering issuing new rulemaking that positively addresses the unsafe 
condition identified in the NPRM and eliminates the need for the 
actions proposed in the NPRM.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, we have determined that the unsafe 
condition still exists, however, we intend to address it with new AD 
rulemaking. Accordingly, the NPRM (76 FR 5505, February 1, 2011) is 
withdrawn.
    Withdrawal of the NPRM (76 FR 5505, February 1, 2011) does not 
preclude the FAA from issuing another related action or commit the FAA 
to any course of action in the future.

Regulatory Impact

    Since this action only withdraws an NPRM (76 FR 5505, February 1, 
2011), it is neither a proposed nor a final rule and therefore is not 
covered under Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or 
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 
1979).

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Withdrawal

    Accordingly, we withdraw the NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2011-0034, 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-021-AD, which published in the Federal 
Register on February 1, 2011 (76 FR 5505).

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 1, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09422 Filed 4-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P