13222 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2001 / Proposed Rules

action, and that no operator would

accomplish those actions in the future if

this proposed AD were not adopted. The

cost impact figures discussed in AD

rulemaking actions represent only the

time necessary to perform the specific

actions actually required by the AD.

These figures typically do not include

incidental costs, such as the time

required to gain access and close up,

planning time, or time necessitated by

other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein

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. Therefore,

it is determined that this proposal

would not have federalism implications

under Executive Order 13132.

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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

Boeing: Docket 2000–NM–245–AD.

Applicability: Model 747–400 series

airplanes modified by supplemental type

certificate (STC) SA8843SW, 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 ensure that the flight crew is able to

remove electrical power from the entire

passenger entertainment system (PES) when

necessary and is advised of appropriate

procedures for such action, accomplish the

following:

Modification and Airplane Flight Manual

Revision

(a) Within 18 months after the effective

date of this AD, do paragraphs (a)(1) and

(a)(2) of this AD.

(1) Modify the PES to install load shed

relays and associated cable assemblies for the

PES, in accordance with Raytheon Service

Bulletin 747(400)VIP–24–1, dated September

22, 2000.

(2) Revise the Non-Normal Procedures

section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight

Manual (AFM) to advise the flight crew on

using the ‘‘UTILITY BUS ON/OFF’’ power

switches to control power to the PES, in

accordance with Raytheon Flight Manual

Supplement 747–430, dated October 17,

2000.

Spares

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no

person shall install a PES system in

accordance with STC SA8843SW on any

airplane, unless it is modified and the AFM

is revised in accordance with this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(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, Fort Worth

Airplane Certification Office (ACO), FAA.

Operators shall submit their requests through

an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance

Inspector, who may add comments and then

send it to the Manager, Fort Worth ACO.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Fort Worth ACO.

Special Flight Permits

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in

accordance with §§ 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 February

23, 2001.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01–4952 Filed 3–1–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000–NM–246–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model

A340–211 Series Airplanes Modified by

Supplemental Type Certificate

ST09092AC–D

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to all

Airbus Model A340–211 series airplanes

modified by supplemental type

certificate ST09092AC–D. This proposal

would require modifying the passenger

entertainment system (PES) and revising

the Flight Crew Operating Manual. This

action is necessary to ensure that the

flight crew is able to remove electrical

power from the entire PES when

necessary and is advised of appropriate

procedures for such action. Inability to

remove power from the PES during a

non-normal or emergency situation

could result in inability to control

smoke or fumes in the airplane flight

deck or cabin. This action is intended to

address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by

April 2, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000–NM–

246–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. Comments may be

submitted via fax to (425) 227–1232.

Comments may also be sent via the

Internet using the following address: 9-

anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments

sent via fax or the Internet must contain

‘‘Docket No. 2000–NM–246–AD’’ in the

subject line and need not be submitted

in triplicate. Comments sent via the

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2001 / Proposed Rules 13223

Internet as attached electronic files must

be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for

Windows or ASCII text.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

Raytheon Systems Company,

Intelligence Information and Aircraft

Integration Systems, 7500 Maehre Road,

Waco, Texas 76705. This information

may be examined at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at

the FAA, Fort Worth Airplane

Certification Office, 2601 Meacham

Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ingrid Knox, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,

Fort Worth Airplane Certification

Office, ASW–150, 2601 Meacham Blvd.,

Fort Worth, Texas 76137–4298;

telephone (817) 222–5139; fax (817)

222–5960.

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 action may be changed in light

of the comments received.

Submit comments using the following

format:

• Organize comments issue-by-issue.

For example, discuss a request to

change the compliance time and a

request to change the service bulletin

reference as two separate issues.

• For each issue, state what specific

change to the proposed AD is being

requested.

• Include justification (e.g., reasons or

data) for each request.

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 action

must submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 2000–NM–246–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–114, Attention: Rules Docket No.

2000–NM–246–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

The Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA) recently completed a review of

in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems

certified by supplemental type

certificate (STC) and installed on

transport category airplanes. The review

focused on the interface between the IFE

system and airplane electrical system,

with the objective of determining if any

unsafe conditions exist with regard to

the interface. STC’s issued between

1992 and 2000 were considered for the

review.

The type of IFE systems considered

for review were those that contain video

monitors (cathode ray tubes or liquid

crystal displays; either hanging above

the aisle or mounted on individual seat

backs or seat trays), or complex circuitry

(i.e., power supplies, electronic

distribution boxes, extensive wire

routing, relatively high power

consumption, multiple layers of circuit

protection, etc.). In addition, in-seat

power supply systems that provide

power to more than 20 percent of the

total passenger seats were also

considered for the review. The types of

IFE systems not considered for review

include systems that provide only audio

signals to each passenger seat, ordinary

in-flight telephone systems (e.g., one

telephone handset per group of seats or

bulkhead-mounted telephones), systems

that only have a video monitor on the

forward bulkhead(s) (or a projection

system) to provide passengers with

basic airplane and flight information,

and in-seat power supply systems that

provide power to less than 20 percent of

the total passenger seats.

Items considered during the review

include the following:

• Can the electrical bus(es) supplying

power to the IFE system be deenergized

when necessary without removing

power from systems that may be

required for continued safe flight and

landing?

• Can IFE system power be removed

when required without pulling IFE

system circuit breakers? [i.e., is there a

switch (dedicated to the IFE system or

a combination of loads) located in the

flight deck or cabin that can be used to

remove IFE power?]

• If the IFE system requires changes

to flight crew procedures, has the

airplane flight manual (AFM) been

properly amended?

• If the IFE system requires changes

to cabin crew procedures, have they

been properly amended?

• Does the IFE system require

periodic or special maintenance?

In all, approximately 180 IFE systems

approved by STC were reviewed by the

FAA. The review results indicate that

potential unsafe conditions exist on

some IFE systems installed on various

transport category airplanes. These

conditions can be summarized as:

• Electrical bus(es) supplying power

to the IFE system cannot be deenergized

when necessary without removing

power from systems that may be

required for continued safe flight and

landing.

• Power cannot be removed from the

IFE system when required without

pulling IFE system circuit breakers (i.e.,

there is no switch dedicated to the IFE

system or combination of systems for

the purpose of removing power).

• Installation of the IFE system has

affected crew (flight crew and/or cabin

crew) procedures, but the procedures

have not been properly revised.

FAA’s Determination

As part of its review of IFE systems,

the FAA has determined that an unsafe

condition exists on Airbus Model A340–

211 series airplanes modified by STC

ST09092AC–D. While power to certain

components of the passenger

entertainment system (PES) installed by

that STC is controlled through the

‘‘COMMERCIAL’’ load shed switch in

the flight compartment, a portion of the

PES is not included in the existing load

shed circuits for the airplane. Thus,

there is no means available to the flight

crew to remove power from that portion

of the PES without locating and pulling

circuit breakers for the system, which

are located in the avionics

compartment. This condition, if not

corrected, could result in failure to

remove power from the entire PES

during a non-normal or emergency

situation, and consequent inability to

control smoke or fumes in the airplane

flight deck or cabin.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

Raytheon has issued Service Bulletin

A340VIP–24–1, dated August 28, 2000,

which describes procedures for

modifying the PES by replacing a threeunit busbar with a two-unit busbar and

installing associated wiring. This

13224 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2001 / Proposed Rules

modification will allow power for the

entire PES system to be controlled by

the ‘‘COMMERCIAL’’ load shed switch

in the flight compartment.

Raytheon has also issued Electrical

Controls and Indicators, 1.24.20, page 4,

Revision 07, which revised the

‘‘Electrical Controls and Indicators’’

section of the Airbus A340 Flight Crew

Operating Manual. The revision advises

the flight crew that power to the PES

can be removed by using the

‘‘COMMERCIAL’’ switch.

Accomplishment of the actions

specified in the service bulletin and

Flight Crew Operating Manual revision

is intended to adequately address the

identified unsafe condition.

FAA’s Conclusions

This airplane model is manufactured

in France and is type certificated for

operation in the United States under the

provisions of § 21.29 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29)

and the applicable bilateral

airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to

this bilateral airworthiness agreement,

the Direction Ge ́ne ́rale de l’Aviation

Civile (DGAC), which is the

airworthiness authority for France, has

kept the FAA informed of the situation

described above. The FAA has

examined the findings of the DGAC,

reviewed all available information, and

determined that AD action is necessary

for products of this type design that are

certificated for operation in the United

States.

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 accomplishment of the actions

specified in the service bulletin

described previously, except as

discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and

Service Bulletin

Operators should note that the service

bulletin specifies that the actions

therein should be accomplished at the

next maintenance opportunity, but not

later than 12 months after receipt of the

service bulletin. In developing an

appropriate compliance time for this

action, the FAA considered not only the

degree of urgency associated with

addressing the subject unsafe condition,

but the amount of time necessary to

accomplish the proposed actions, the

availability of necessary parts, and the

practical aspect of accomplishing the

proposed actions within an interval of

time that parallels normal scheduled

maintenance for the affected operators.

In consideration of all of these factors,

the FAA has determined that 18 months

after the effective date of this AD

represents an appropriate interval of

time allowable wherein an acceptable

level of safety can be maintained.

Other Relevant Proposed Rulemaking

This proposed action is one of a

number of proposed AD’s on airplanes

modified by STC’s that have been

determined to be subject to similar

unsafe conditions. Other currently

proposed AD’s include the following

airplanes and STC’s:

Model/Series STC number Docket number

Boeing 757–200 ................................................................................................................................... SA1727GL 2000–NM–228–AD

McDonnell Douglas DC–9–51 and DC–9–83 ...................................................................................... SA8026NM 2000–NM–229–AD

McDonnell Douglas DC–10–30 ............................................................................................................ ST00054SE 2000–NM–231–AD

Boeing 767–300 and 767–300ER ........................................................................................................ SA5765NM

SA5978NM

2000–NM–232–AD

Boeing 767–300 ................................................................................................................................... ST00157SE 2000–NM–233–AD

Boeing 747–100 and –200 ................................................................................................................... ST00196SE 2000–NM–234–AD

Boeing 767–200 ................................................................................................................................... SA5134NM 2000–NM–235–AD

Boeing 767–300 ................................................................................................................................... ST00118SE 2000–NM–236–AD

Boeing 737–300 ................................................................................................................................... ST00171SE 2000–NM–237–AD

Boeing 767–200 ................................................................................................................................... SA4998NM 2000–NM–238–AD

Boeing 767–300 ................................................................................................................................... SA7019NM–D 2000–NM–239–AD

Boeing 747–100 and –200 ................................................................................................................... SA8622SW 2000–NM–240–AD

McDonnell Douglas DC–10–30 ............................................................................................................ SA8452SW 2000–NM–241–AD

Boeing 737–700 ................................................................................................................................... ST09100AC–D

ST09104AC–D

ST09105AC–D

ST09106AC–D

2000–NM–242–AD

Boeing 767–200 ................................................................................................................................... ST09022AC–D 2000–NM–243–AD

Boeing 747SP ...................................................................................................................................... ST09097AC–D 2000–NM–244–AD

Boeing 747–400 ................................................................................................................................... SA8843SW 2000–NM–245–AD

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 42 / Friday, March 2, 2001 / Proposed Rules 13225

Cost Impact

None of the airplanes affected by this

action are on the U.S. Register. The

single airplane included in the

applicability of this rule currently is

operated by a non-U.S. operator under

foreign registry; therefore, it is not

directly affected by this AD action.

However, the FAA considers that this

rule is necessary to ensure that the

unsafe condition is addressed in the

event that the subject airplane is

imported and placed on the U.S.

Register in the future.

Should the affected airplane be

imported and placed on the U.S.

Register in the future, it would take

approximately 28 work hours to

accomplish the proposed modification,

at an average labor rate of $60 per work

hour. Required parts would cost

approximately $162,597 per airplane.

Based on these figures, the cost impact

of the proposed modification would be

$164,277.

Should the affected airplane be

imported and placed on the U.S.

Register in the future, it would take

approximately 1 work hour to

accomplish the proposed manual

revision, at an average labor rate of $60

per work hour. Based on these figures,

the cost impact of the proposed manual

revision would be $60.

The cost impact figures discussed

above are based on assumptions that no

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 proposed AD were not adopted. The

cost impact figures discussed in AD

rulemaking actions represent only the

time necessary to perform the specific

actions actually required by the AD.

These figures typically do not include

incidental costs, such as the time

required to gain access and close up,

planning time, or time necessitated by

other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein

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. Therefore,

it is determined that this proposal

would not have federalism implications

under Executive Order 13132.

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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

Airbus: Docket 2000–NM–246–AD.

Applicability: Model A340–211 series

airplanes modified by supplemental type

certificate (STC) ST09092AC–D, 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 ensure that the flight crew is able to

remove electrical power from the entire

passenger entertainment system (PES) when

necessary and is advised of appropriate

procedures for such action, accomplish the

following:

Modification and Flight Crew Operating

Manual Revision

(a) Within 18 months after the effective

date of this AD, do paragraphs (a)(1) and

(a)(2) of this AD.

(1) Modify the PES by replacing the threeunit busbar with a two-unit busbar and

installing associated wiring, in accordance

with Raytheon Service Bulletin A340VIP–24–

1, dated August 28, 2000.

(2) Revise the Electrical Controls and

Indicators section of the Airbus A340 Flight

Crew Operating Manual to advise the flight

crew that power to the PES can be removed

by using the ‘‘COMMERCIAL’’ switch in the

flight compartment, by inserting Electrical

Controls and Indicators, 1.24.20, page 4,

Revision 07.

Spares

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no

person shall install a PES system in

accordance with STC ST09092AC–D on any

airplane, unless it is modified and the Flight

Crew Operating Manual is revised in

accordance with this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(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, Fort Worth

Airplane Certification Office (ACO), FAA.

Operators shall submit their requests through

an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance

Inspector, who may add comments and then

send it to the Manager, Fort Worth ACO.

Note 2: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Fort Worth ACO.

Special Flight Permits

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in

accordance with § 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 February

23, 2001.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01–4953 Filed 3–1–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U