[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 65 (Friday, April 4, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16115-16116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8701]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-NM-55-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 777-200 
series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of certain 
overhead electronics units (OEU) of the passenger address and 
entertainment communication systems with modified OEU's. This proposal 
is prompted by reports of smoke coming from the overhead panels near 
the passenger reading lights, which was caused by overheating of the 
transformers located in the OEU's. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent overheating of the transformers, 
which potentially could cause a fire in the transformer assembly and/or 
electronic components located in the OEU and could cause smoke to enter 
the passenger cabin.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 15, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-55-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, 
Washington 98124-2207. This information may be examined at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Skaves, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 
telephone (206) 227-2795; fax (206) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule.
    The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of 
the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 97-NM-55-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 97-NM-55-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received several reports of smoke coming from the 
overhead panel near the passenger reading lights on Boeing Model 777-
200 series airplanes. In other reports, the overhead electronics units 
(OEU) failed to supply power to the lights of the passenger cabin. 
Investigation revealed that the transformers of the OEU's are not 
adequately protected from certain overload failure modes, which causes 
the transformers to overheat. Overheating of a transformer, if not 
corrected, potentially could cause a fire in the transformer assembly 
and/or electronic components located in the OEU and could cause smoke 
to enter the passenger cabin.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
777-23A0027, dated February 13, 1997. The alert service bulletin 
describes procedures for replacement of OEU's, part numbers (P/N) 
285W0029-3, 285W0029-3 MOD A, and 285W0029-3 MOD B, of the passenger 
address and entertainment communication systems with modified OEU's, P/
N's 285W0029-5, 285W0029-5 MOD A, and 285W0029-5 MOD B. The modified 
OEU's contain a new transformer assembly that contains circuit 
protection for overload conditions, which will prevent the transformer 
from overheating.
    The FAA also has reviewed and approved Boeing Component Service 
Bulletin 285W0029-23-01, dated February 13, 1997, which describes 
procedures for reworking OEU's having P/N's 285W0029-3, 285W0029-3 MOD 
A, and 285W0029-3 MOD B. The rework includes replacing the transformer 
assembly located in the OEU with a new OEU, applying dash number -5, 
and adding a MOD level marking (if applicable) to the nameplate of the 
OEU.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require replacement of certain OEU's of the passenger 
address and entertainment communication systems with modified OEU's. 
The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
alert service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 46 Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes of 
the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 16 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 209 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Required parts would be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost 
to the operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $200,640, or $12,540 
per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no

[[Page 16116]]

operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ``ADDRESSES.''

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

BOEING: Docket 97-NM-55-AD.

    Applicability: Model 777-200 series airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-23A0027, dated February 13, 1997; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.

    To prevent overheating of the transformers of the overhead 
electronic units (OEU), which potentially could cause a fire in the 
transformer assembly and/or other electronic components of the OEU 
and could cause smoke to enter the passenger cabin, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
OEU's having part numbers (P/N) 285W0029-3, 285W0029-3 MOD A, and 
285W0029-3 MOD B, of the passenger address and entertainment 
communication systems with modified OEU's having P/N's 285W0029-5, 
285W0029-5 MOD A, and 285W0029-5 MOD B, in accordance with Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 777-23A0027, dated February 13, 1997.

    Note 2: Boeing Component Service Bulletin 285W0029-23-01, dated 
February 13, 1997, describes procedures for reworking OEU's having 
P/N's 285W0029-3, 285W0029-3 MOD A, and 285W0029-3 MOD B, to a 
configuration having a dash number -5, and a MOD level marking (if 
applicable).

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an OEU having P/N 285W0029-3, 285W0029-3 MOD A, or 285W0029-3 MOD B, 
on any airplane.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Seattle ACO.
    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 31, 1997.
S. R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
026Service.
[FR Doc. 97-8701 Filed 4-3-97; 8:45 am]
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