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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 1, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5503-5505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-2171]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0033; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-019-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 777-200 Series 
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 
certain Model 777-200 series airplanes. This proposed AD would require 
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. 
The actions include replacing the cabin area control panels; changing 
the wiring; modifying the purser station or the A-4 galley, as 
applicable; installing new cabin system management unit, cabin area 
control panel, overhead electronics unit, and zone management units 
operational software, as applicable; and making a change to the cabin 
services system (CSS) configuration database and installing the new 
database in the CSS components. This proposed AD would also require 
changing the wiring at the cabin management system in the purser 
station. This proposed AD results from an IFE systems review. We are 
proposing this AD 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.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 18, 2011.

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.
     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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, 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, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-
544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail me.boecom@boeing.com; 
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 (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Salameh, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-
3356; telephone 425-917-6454; fax 425-917-6590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2011-0033; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-019-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

    In response to numerous reports of smoke or flames in the passenger 
cabin of various models of transport category airplanes, we conducted a 
comprehensive in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems review. Earlier 
investigation of the reports had revealed that the source of the smoke 
and flames was from cabin IFE system components, including electronic 
seat boxes mounted under passenger seats, IFE wiring, IFE monitors, 
cabin lighting, wall outlets, and other non-essential cabin electrical 
systems.
    The systems review disclosed that in order to minimize the risk of 
smoke or flames in the passenger cabin, a switch is needed in the 
flight compartment to enable the flightcrew to turn off electrical 
power to the IFE system and other non-essential electrical systems in 
the event of smoke or flames. The flightcrew's inability to turn off 
power

[[Page 5504]]

to the IFE system and other non-essential electrical systems, if not 
corrected, 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.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 777-23-0142, dated 
November 25, 2003. This service bulletin describes procedures for the 
following actions:
     Removing the cabin area control panels.
     Changing the wiring.
     Installing new cabin control panels.
     Modifying the purser station and the A-4 galley, as 
applicable.
     Installing cabin system management unit operational 
program software.
     Installing cabin area control panel operational program 
software.
     Installing zone management unit operational program 
software.
     Installing overhead electronics unit operational program 
software, if necessary.
     Making changes to the new configuration database.
     Installing the new configuration database to the cabin 
services system.
    Boeing Service Bulletin 777-23-0142, dated November 25, 2003 refers 
to Jamco Service Letter SL-K0789, dated June 10, 1997, as an additional 
source of service information for modifying the cabin system control 
panel compartment for airplanes in Group 4 (as identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-23-0142, dated November 25, 2003).
    Boeing Service Bulletin 777-23-0142, dated November 25, 2003, 
specifies prior or concurrent accomplishment of Boeing Service Bulletin 
777-23-0057, dated April 9, 1998, which describes procedures for 
changing the wiring in the purser station for airplanes in Group 4 (as 
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-23-0142, dated November 25, 
2003).

Difference Between Service Information and AD

    Boeing Service Bulletin 777-23-0142, dated November 25, 2003, does 
not contain a compliance time for the required actions. This NPRM would 
require the actions be done within 60 months after the effective date 
of this AD. We have coordinated this difference with The Boeing 
Company.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of this Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. 
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified in 
the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    Currently, there are no affected airplanes on the U.S. Register. 
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this proposed AD if an affected airplane is imported and 
placed on the U.S. Register in the future.

                                             Table--Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Average
              Action                    Work hours        labor rate          Parts           Cost per product
                                                           per hour
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification of the cabin          Between 6 and 9 \1\.          $85  Between $119,709 and  Between $120,219 and
 services system wiring.                                               $120,338.             $121,103.
Concurrent modification..........  1...................           85  None................  $85.
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\1\ Depending on airplane configuration.

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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), and
    3. 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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

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

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

[[Page 5505]]

The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2011-0033; Directorate Identifier 
2010-NM-019-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by March 18, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200 series 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Service Bulletin 777-23-0142, dated November 25, 2003.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 23: 
Communications.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from an in-flight entertainment (IFE) 
systems review. We are proposing this AD 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.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Modification

    (g) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: Remove 
the cabin area control panels; change the wiring; install new cabin 
area control panels; modify the purser station or A-4 galley, as 
applicable; install new cabin system management unit, cabin area 
control panel, overhead electronics unit, and zone management units 
operational software, as applicable; and make a change to the cabin 
services system (CSS) configuration database and install the new 
database in the CSS components; in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-23-0142, 
dated November 25, 2003.

    Note 1:  Boeing Service Bulletin 777-23-0142, dated November 25, 
2003, refers to Jamco Service Letter SL-K0789, dated June 10, 1997, 
as an additional source of guidance for modification of the cabin 
system control panel compartment for airplanes in Group 4 (as 
identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-23-0142, dated November 
25, 2003).

Concurrent Requirement

    (h) For Group 4 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 termination of two wires at the cabin management terminal in the 
purser station, in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 777-23-
0057, dated April 9, 1998.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(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. Send information to 
ATTN: Joe Salameh, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, 
ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone 425-917-6454; 
fax 425-917-6590. Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
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. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this 
AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 25, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-2171 Filed 1-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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