[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]


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

  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).

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

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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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