[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58487-58489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23076]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2013 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 58487]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0792; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-118-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 all
The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER
series airplanes, and Model 777 airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by testing reports on certain Honeywell phase 3 display units
(DUs). These DUs exhibited susceptibility to radio frequency emissions
in WiFi frequency bands at radiated power levels below the levels that
the displays are required to tolerate for certification of WiFi system
installations. The phase 3 DUs provide primary flight information
including airspeed, altitude, pitch and roll attitude, heading, and
navigation information to the flightcrew. This proposed AD would
require replacing the existing phase 3 DUs with new phase 3A DUs and
installing new DU database software. We are proposing this AD to
prevent loss of flight-critical information displayed to the flightcrew
during a critical phase of flight, such as an approach or takeoff,
which could result in loss of airplane control at an altitude
insufficient for recovery, or controlled flight into terrain or
obstacles.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 8,
2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal Rulemaking 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, WA 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: Gregg Nesemeier, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356;
phone: 425-917-6479; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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-2013-0792;
Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-118-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
This proposed AD resulted from instrumented testing on Model 737
series airplanes that were equipped with certain Honeywell DUs. This
testing determined that certain Honeywell phase 3 DUs exhibited
flickering and blanking when subjected to radio frequency emissions in
WiFi frequency bands at radiated power levels below those that the
displays are required to tolerate for certification of a WiFi
installation. Display blanking durations of as long as 6 minutes were
observed during testing. The phase 3 DUs provide primary flight
information including airspeed, altitude, pitch and roll attitude,
heading, and navigation information to the flightcrew. These Honeywell
phase 3 DUs are installed on certain Model 737 and Model 777 airplanes.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of flight-
critical information displayed to the flightcrew during a critical
phase of flight, such as an approach or takeoff, which could result in
loss of airplane control at an altitude insufficient for recovery, or
controlled flight into terrain or obstacles.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-31-1471,
dated November 29, 2012; and Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin
777-31-0187, dated November 29, 2012. For information on the
procedures, see this service information at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for Docket No. FAA-2013-0792.
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
[[Page 58488]]
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 identified previously.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 157 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Replacement (139 Model 737 2 work-hours x $85 per $10,200 $10,370 $1,441,430
airplanes). hour = $170.
Replacement (18 Model 777 3 work-hours x $85 per 10,200 10,455 188,190
airplanes). hour = $255.
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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
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):
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2013-0792; Directorate Identifier
2013-NM-118-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by November 8, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company airplanes, certificated in
any category, specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series
airplanes.
(2) Model 777-200, 777-200LR, 777-300, 777-300ER, and 777F
series airplanes.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 31, Instruments.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by testing reports on certain Honeywell
phase 3 display units (DUs). These DUs exhibited susceptibility to
radio frequency emissions in WiFi frequency bands at radiated power
levels below the levels that the displays are required to tolerate
for certification of WiFi system installations. The phase 3 DUs
provide primary flight information, including airspeed, altitude,
pitch and roll attitude, heading, and navigation information, to the
flightcrew. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of flight-
critical information displayed to the flightcrew during a critical
phase of flight, such as an approach or takeoff, which could result
in loss of airplane control at an altitude insufficient for
recovery, or controlled flight into terrain or obstacles.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Software and DU Installation
Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: Do the
applicable actions required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this
AD.
(1) For Model 737 airplanes: Install new database software into
the display electronics units, and replace the existing phase 3
common display system (CDS) DUs with new phase 3A CDS DUs, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special
Attention Service Bulletin 737-31-1471, dated November 29, 2012.
(2) For Model 777 airplanes: Install the DU database software
into the left and right airplane information management system core
processor module/graphics generator, and replace the existing phase
3 DUs with new phase 3A DUs, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-31-
0187, dated November 29, 2012.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
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.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair
[[Page 58489]]
required by this AD if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial
Airplanes ODA that has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO,
to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the
repair must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the
approval must specifically refer to this AD.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Gregg Nesemeier,
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, Seattle
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6479; fax: 425-917-6590;
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, WA 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 September 13, 2013.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-23076 Filed 9-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P