[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 106 (Tuesday, June 3, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31851-31855]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12650]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0368; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-058-AD; 
Amendment 39-17851; AD 2014-11-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by reports of smoke or flames in the passenger cabin of 
various transport category airplanes related to the wiring for the 
passenger cabin in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, cabin lighting, 
and passenger seats. This AD requires installing wiring and making 
changes to certain electrical load management system (ELMS) panels and 
other concurrent requirements to ensure the flightcrew is able to turn 
off electrical power to the IFE systems and other non-essential 
electrical systems through one or two switches in the flight deck in 
the event of smoke or flames. In the event of smoke or flames in the 
airplane flight deck or passenger cabin, the flightcrew's inability to 
turn off electrical power to the IFE system and other non-essential 
electrical systems 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, and consequent loss of control of the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective July 8, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 8, 2014.

ADDRESSES: 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 view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
0368; 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, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket 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.

[[Page 31852]]


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 issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company 
Model 777-200 and -300 series airplanes. The NPRM was prompted by 
reports of smoke or flames in the passenger cabin of various transport 
category airplanes related to the wiring for the passenger cabin IFE 
system, cabin lighting, and passenger seats. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on May 10, 2013 (78 FR 27310). The NPRM proposed to 
require installing wiring and making changes to certain ELMS panels and 
other concurrent requirements. We are issuing this AD to ensure the 
flightcrew is able to turn off electrical power to the IFE systems and 
other non-essential electrical systems through one or two switches in 
the flight deck in the event of smoke or flames. In the event of smoke 
or flames in the airplane flight deck or passenger cabin, the 
flightcrew's inability to turn off electrical power to the IFE system 
and other non-essential electrical systems 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, and 
consequent loss of control of the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
(78 FR 27310, May 10, 2013) and the FAA's response to each comment. 
United Airlines and Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA) 
supported the NPRM.

Request To Include Additional Work-Hours in Costs of Compliance

    American Airlines (AA) requested that we add 200 work-hours to the 
total labor costs specified in the Costs of Compliance section of the 
NPRM (78 FR 27310, May 10, 2013). AA stated that the costs of 
compliance specified in the NPRM include the work-hours specified in 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0075, Revision 3, dated August 26, 2010, 
but those work-hours do not take into account the work-hours for making 
changes to certain ELMS panels specified in the concurrent service 
bulletins.
    We acknowledge that we underestimated the work-hours for completing 
the installation of wiring and changing the ELMS panel wiring in the 
NPRM (78 FR 27310, May 10, 2013). We have added 200 work-hours to the 
Costs of Compliance of this final rule to account for the work-hours 
for making changes to certain ELMS panels.

Request To Allow Use of Later Revisions of ELMS Service Information

    AA requested that we allow use of later revisions of certain ELMS 
service information instead of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0075, 
Revision 3, dated August 26, 2010. AA stated that revised ELMS service 
information has been released since publication of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-24-0075, Revision 3, dated August 26, 2010.
    We do not agree. Allowing a reference to ``a later revision'' of a 
specific service document violates Office of the Federal Register 
policies for approving materials incorporated by reference.
    However, we have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0075, 
Revision 4, dated January 8, 2014, which contains the appropriate 
service information. Operators may request approval of an alternative 
method of compliance (AMOC) under the provisions of paragraph (j) of 
this final rule to use later revisions of the ELMS service information. 
We have revised paragraph (g) of this AD to refer to Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-24-0075, Revision 4, dated January 8, 2014, as the 
appropriate source of service information. We have given credit for 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0075, Revision 3, dated August 26, 2010, 
in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD.

Request To Use Equivalent Procedure

    AA requested that we allow the use of an operator's equivalent 
procedure to mark the applicable service bulletin number on the panel, 
rather than using the labels in the General Electric (GE) kits as 
specified. AA stated that Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0075, Revision 
3, dated August 26, 2010, specifies installing a label of the service 
bulletin number on the ELMS power panels. AA stated that the labels 
that are in the GE kits have a shelf life that expires prior to the 
compliance time of 60 months.
    We agree that an operator's equivalent procedure may safely and 
effectively be used to indelibly mark the applicable service bulletin 
number on the panels in place of the labels. We have revised paragraph 
(g) of this final rule accordingly. We have also added Note 1 to 
paragraph (g) of this AD to specify that additional guidance on 
indelibly marking the panel can be found in Boeing Process 
Specification BAC5307.

Request To Allow Various Modifications to Repair Kits

    Japan Air Lines (JAL) requested that we allow certain modifications 
of the repair kits, which JAL has proposed to Boeing and Smiths 
Aerospace Actuation Systems to address problems with the Smiths 
Aerospace Actuation Systems repair kits. JAL stated that problems with 
the repair kits include a certain electrical wire being too short, 
omission of certain other wires, inclusion of unshielded wires rather 
than shielded wires, inability to install a certain relay bracket, and 
inclusion of an incorrect relay part number.
    We disagree with the request to allow modifications of repair kits 
in this final rule. Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0075, Revision 4, 
dated January 8, 2014, is the latest service information available for 
compliance with the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this final 
rule. We do not consider it appropriate to include various provisions 
in an AD applicable only to individual airplanes or to a single 
operator's configuration or use of an airplane. However, any person may 
request approval of an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) under 
the provisions of paragraph (j) of this final rule. No change has been 
made to this final rule in this regard.

Requests To Add Alternative ELMS Software

    Boeing requested that we add alternative ELMS software to the NPRM 
(78 FR 27310, May 10, 2013). Boeing and JAL pointed out that new ELMS 
software is required in order to be compliant with the requirements of 
AD 2011-09-15, Amendment 39-16677 (76 FR 24345, May 2, 2011). Boeing 
and JAL stated that AD 2011-09-15 requires, among other actions, 
installing new ELMS software. Note 2 of AD 2011-09-15 specifies that 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0039, Revision 2, dated September 20, 
2010, is an additional source of guidance for installing the new ELMS 
software. Boeing and JAL stated that, if ELMS software is required to 
be installed in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0087, 
Revision 2, dated August 16, 2007, as proposed in the NPRM, a conflict 
with the requirements of AD 2011-09-15 will be created.
    We agree to allow the option of installing ELMS software using 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0039, dated June 13, 2008; Revision 1, 
dated January 8, 2009; or Revision 2, dated September 20, 2010. We have 
revised paragraph

[[Page 31853]]

(h)(5) of this final rule to add a reference to Boeing Service Bulletin 
777-28A0039, Revision 2, dated September 20, 2010. We have also revised 
paragraph (i)(5) of this final rule to provide credit for ELMS software 
installations done before the effective date of this AD using Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-28A0039, dated June 13, 2008; or Revision 1, dated 
January 8, 2009.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously and minor editorial 
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (78 FR 27310, May 10, 2013) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 27310, May 10, 2013).
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 59 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wiring changes......................  236 work-hours x $85 per            $2,503         $22,563      $1,331,217
                                       hour = $20,060.
Concurrent ELMS software              3 work-hours x $85 per                   0             255          15,045
 installation (Boeing Service          hour = $255.
 Bulletin 777-24-0087, Revision 2,
 dated August 16, 2007; or 777-
 28A0039, Revision 2, dated
 September 20, 2010).
Concurrent operational program        4 work-hours x $85 per                   0             340          20,060
 software change (Boeing Service       hour = $340.
 Bulletin 777-23-0175, Revision 2,
 dated October 12, 2006).
Concurrent power isolation switch     5 work-hours x $85 per                 751           1,176          69,384
 installation (Boeing Service          hour = $425.
 Bulletin 777-24-0074, Revision 4,
 dated September 13, 2012).
Concurrent cabin services system      10 work-hours x $85 per            119,959         120,809               0
 hardware and software change (No      hour = $850.
 affected U.S. operators; Boeing
 Service Bulletin 777-23-0142, dated
 November 25, 2003).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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):

2014-11-01 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17851; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0368; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-058-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 8, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -300 
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0075, Revision 4, dated January 8, 
2014.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical 
Power.

[[Page 31854]]

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of smoke or flames in the 
passenger cabin of various transport category airplanes related to 
the wiring for the passenger cabin in-flight entertainment (IFE) 
system, cabin lighting, and passenger seats. We are issuing this AD 
to ensure the flightcrew is able to turn off electrical power to the 
IFE systems and other non-essential electrical systems through one 
or two switches in the flight deck in the event of smoke or flames. 
In the event of smoke or flames in the airplane flight deck or 
passenger cabin, the flightcrew's inability to turn off electrical 
power to the IFE system and other non-essential electrical systems 
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, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Installation

    Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, install 
certain wiring and make changes to certain electrical load 
management system (ELMS) panels; as identified in, and in accordance 
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 
777-24-0075, Revision 4, dated January 8, 2014. Where the 
installation or change specifies installing a label, an operator's 
equivalent procedure to indelibly mark the applicable service 
bulletin number on the panel may be used.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD:  Additional guidance on 
procedures for indelibly marking the ELMS panel can be found in 
Boeing Process Specification BAC5307.

(h) Concurrent Requirements

    (1) For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-23-
0142, dated November 25, 2003: Prior to or concurrently with 
accomplishing the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD, change 
the hardware and software for the cabin services system, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-23-0142, dated November 25, 2003.
    (2) For all airplanes: Prior to or concurrently with 
accomplishing the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD, change 
the operational software (OPS) of the cabin management system, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-23-0175, Revision 2, dated October 12, 2006.
    (3) For Group 1, Configurations 1, 3, and 4 airplanes, 
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0074, Revision 4, dated 
September 13, 2012: Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the 
requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD, install certain new 
electrical power control panels, as identified in, and in accordance 
with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 
777-24-0074, Revision 4, dated September 13, 2012.
    (4) For Group 1, Configuration 2 airplanes, identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-24-0074, Revision 4, dated September 13, 2012: 
Prior to or concurrently with accomplishing the requirements of 
paragraph (g) of this AD, inspect the electrical power control panel 
for a certain part number and change the part number, as applicable; 
as identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0074, Revision 4, 
dated September 13, 2012.
    (5) For all airplanes: Prior to or concurrently with 
accomplishing the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD, change 
the ELMS OPS and configuration database software (OPC) at the data 
loader, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-24-0087, Revision 2, dated August 16, 2007; or 
Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0039, Revision 2, dated September 20, 
2010.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0075, 
dated August 21, 2003; or Revision 1, dated December 11, 2003, 
provided that Smiths Service Bulletin 5000ELM-24-379 identified on 
pages 8 and 19 of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0075, Revision 1, 
dated December 11, 2003, is not used. These documents are not 
incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0075, 
Revision 2, dated October 5, 2006; or Revision 3, dated August 26, 
2010. These documents are not incorporated by reference in this AD.
    (3) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using Boeing Service Bulletin 777-23-
0175, dated July 11, 2002; or Revision 1, dated July 17, 2003; 
provided that overhead electronics unit hardware, part number 
285W0029-5, is not installed. These documents are not incorporated 
by reference in this AD.
    (4) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraphs (h)(3) and (h)(4) of this AD, if those actions were 
performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Service 
Bulletin 777-24-0074, dated June 27, 2002; Revision 1, dated October 
5, 2006; Revision 2, dated May 20, 2010; or Revision 3, dated 
February 20, 2012; provided all applicable concurrent requirements 
identified in Section 1.B. of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0074, 
Revision 4, dated September 13, 2012, have been done prior to or 
concurrently with that revision; and provided that any additional 
work identified by the phrase ``More work is necessary'' in section 
1.D. of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0074, Revision 4, dated 
September 13, 2012, is accomplished before the effective date of 
this AD. These documents are not incorporated by reference in this 
AD.
    (5) This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (h)(5) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-
0087, dated July 24, 2003, or Revision 1, dated December 18, 2003; 
or Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0039, dated June 13, 2008, or 
Revision 1, dated January 8, 2009. These documents are not 
incorporated by reference in this AD.

(j) 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 required by this AD if it is approved by the 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization 
(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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, 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].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference 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 
view this referenced service information at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
425-227-1221.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Service Bulletin 777-23-0142, dated November 25, 
2003.
    (ii) Boeing Service Bulletin 777-23-0175, Revision 2, dated 
October 12, 2006.
    (iii) Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0074, Revision 4, dated 
September 13, 2012.

[[Page 31855]]

    (iv) Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0075, Revision 4, dated 
January 8, 2014.
    (v) Boeing Service Bulletin 777-24-0087, Revision 2, dated 
August 16, 2007.
    (vi) Boeing Service Bulletin 777-28A0039, Revision 2, dated 
September 20, 2010.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may view this referenced service information at FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 15, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-12650 Filed 6-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P