[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 75 (Thursday, April 20, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18588-18590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07675]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 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. 82, No. 75 / Thursday, April 20, 2017 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 18588]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0099; Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-02-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Siemens S.A.S. Smoke Detectors

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 Siemens S.A.S. smoke detectors installed on various transport 
category airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the 
affected smoke detectors failed an acceptance test. This proposed AD 
would require inspection and replacement of the affected smoke 
detectors. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this NPRM by June 5, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Siemens, 
Aviation Customer Support, 697 Rue Fourny, 78530 Buc, France; phone: 
(33) 1 3084 6650; fax: (33) 1 3956 1364. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District 
Avenue, Burlington, MA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125.

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-2017-
0099; or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, 
and other information. The 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: Erin Hulverson, Aerospace Engineer, 
Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine & Propeller 
Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803; phone: 781-
238-7655; fax: 781-238-7199; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this NPRM. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0099; 
Directorate Identifier 2017-NE-02-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM 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 
with FAA personnel concerning this NPRM.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
AD 2016-0024, dated January 26, 2016 (referred to hereinafter as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    During a maintenance operation, some smoke detectors P/N 
PMC1102-02 failed an acceptance test, due to a significant degraded 
optical sensitivity. Investigation results concluded that light-
emitting diodes (LED) were abnormally degraded, affecting specific 
batches where changes occurred in the LED manufacturer production 
process. Further investigation has determined that the affected LED 
have been installed on smoke detectors manufactured between November 
2010 and January 2013, and on certain repaired units.
    This condition, if not corrected, will generate an abnormal 
ageing of the smoke detector, leading to a decrease of the light 
intensity capability, possibly resulting in failure to detect smoke 
and consequent risk of an on-board uncontrolled fire.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0099.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Siemens S.A.S. has issued Service Information Letter (SIL) No. PMC-
26-002, Revision No. 1, dated January 2016 and SIL No. PMC-26-003, 
Revision No. 2, dated February 2016. PMC 26-002 provides a list of 
serial numbers for affected smoke detectors, P/Ns PMC1102-02, PMC3100-
00, and GMC1102-02, known to be installed on Airbus A330 passenger, 
A330 freighter, and A380 airplanes. PMC 26-003 provides a list of 
serial numbers for affected smoke detectors, P/N PMC1102, known to be 
installed on Boeing B737-400 airplanes that have been converted via 
supplemental type certificate from a passenger to a freighter airplane. 
This service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of France, 
and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our 
bilateral agreement with the European Community, EASA has notified us 
of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information 
referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all

[[Page 18589]]

information provided by EASA and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design. This proposed AD would require inspection and replacement of 
the affected smoke detectors.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects an unknown number of 
smoke detectors installed on, but not limited to, various aircraft of 
U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                   Action                                 Labor cost                Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.................................  0.2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $17              $0             $17
Replacement................................  0.8 work-hours x $85 per hours =              1,285           1,353
                                              $68.
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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 to the extent 
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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):

Siemens S.A.S.: Docket No. FAA-2017-0099; Directorate Identifier 
2017-NE-02-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 5, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (1) This AD applies to Siemens S.A.S. smoke detectors, part 
numbers (P/Ns) PMC1102-02, PMC3100-00, and GMC1102-02, manufactured 
between October 2010 and January 2013, inclusive; and with serial 
numbers listed in paragraph 1/D/of Siemens Service Information 
Letter (SIL) No. PMC-26-002, Revision No. 1, dated January 2016 or 
paragraph 1/D/of Siemens SIL No. PMC-26-003, Revision No. 2, dated 
February 2016.
    (2) This AD also applies to those smoke detectors with P/Ns and 
serial numbers (S/Ns) listed in Figure 1 to paragraph (c) of this 
AD; installed on, but not limited to, any airplane, certificated in 
any category, listed in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) or (ii) of this AD.

  Figure 1 to Paragraph (c) of This AD--P/N and S/Ns of Repaired Smoke
                                Detectors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  P/N                                  S/N
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PMC1102-2.............................  2129, 2281, 2335, 2343, 2356,
                                         2399, 2411, 2428, 2588, 2731,
                                         2851, 2888, 3658, 3696, 3710,
                                         3729, 3731, 5032, 5039, 5040,
                                         5107, 5216, 5233, 50069, 50075,
                                         50087, 50122, 50204, 50250,
                                         50264, 50268, 50270, 50272,
                                         50366 and 50386
PMC3100-00............................  201, 208, 213 227, 260, 268,
                                         312, 528, 588, 592, 606, 652,
                                         655, 660, 667, 50037, 50046,
                                         50058, 50060, 50062, 50067,
                                         50070, 50072 and 50090
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (i) in production on Airbus A330, A330 freighter, and A380 
airplanes;
    (ii) in service by supplemental type certificate modification 
on:
    (A) Airbus A319 and A320, and Bombardier CL-600-2B19 (Challenger 
850), Boeing (formerly McDonnell Douglas) DC-9 series 80 airplanes; 
and
    (B) Boeing 737-400 (BDSF), 767, and 747-8 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2611, Smoke 
Detection.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that the affected smoke 
detectors failed an acceptance test. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the smoke detector, on-board uncontrolled fire, 
and damage to the airplane.

[[Page 18590]]

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.
    (1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect 
each Siemens smoke detector, or review your maintenance records, to 
determine if an affected detector is installed.
    (2) For affected smoke detectors, replace the detectors within 
the compliance times specified in Figures 2, 3, and 4 to paragraph 
(f) of this AD.

       Figure 2 to Paragraph (f) of This AD--P/N PMC1102-02 (Cargo
                              Compartments)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Compliance time  (after the
    Manufacturing date  (month/year)        effective date of this AD)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
122010 to 112011 inclusive.............  Within 5 months.
122011 to 012013 inclusive.............  Within 11 months.
------------------------------------------------------------------------



  Figure 3 to Paragraph (f) of This AD--P/N PMC3100-00 Detectors (Cargo
                              Compartments)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Compliance time  (after the
    Manufacturing date  (month/year)        effective date of this AD)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
032011 to 012012 inclusive.............  Within 5 months.
022012 to 012013 inclusive.............  Within 11 months.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


Figure 4 to Paragraph (f) of This AD--P/N GMC1102-02 (Passenger Cabin or
                           Any Other Location)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Compliance Time  (after the
    Manufacturing date (month/year)         effective date of this AD)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
112010 to 022012 inclusive.............  Within 24 months.
032012 to 122012 inclusive.............  Within 36 months.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(g) Installation Prohibition

    From the effective date of this AD, do not install on any 
airplane a smoke detector:
    (1) With a manufacturing date and P/N listed in Figure 2 or 3 to 
paragraph (f) of this AD;
    (2) listed in Figure 4 to paragraph (f) of this AD unless the 
detector is marked `SIL PMC-26-002'.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    The Manager, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, may 
approve AMOCs for this AD. Use the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19 
to make your request.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Erin Hulverson, 
Aerospace Engineer, Boston Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
Engine & Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA 
01803; phone: 781-238-7655; fax: 781-238-7199; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD 2016-0024, 
dated January 26, 2016, for more information. You may examine the 
MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2017-0099.
    (3) Siemens S.A.S. SIL No. PMC-26-002, Revision No. 1, dated 
January 2016 and Siemens SIL No. PMC-26-003, Revision No. 2, dated 
February 2016, can be obtained from Siemens S.A.S. using the contact 
information in paragraph (i)(4) of this proposed AD.
    (4) For service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact Siemens, Aviation Customer Support, 697 Rue Fourny, 78530 
Buc, France; phone: (33) 1 3084 6650; fax: (33) 1 3956 1364.
    (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Engine & 
Propeller Directorate, 1200 District Avenue, Burlington, MA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
781-238-7125.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on April 7, 2017.
Carlos A. Pestana,
Acting Manager, Engine & Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-07675 Filed 4-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P