[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2981-2982]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-1293]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-239-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, -200, and -300
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking; reopening of
comment period.
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SUMMARY: This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness
directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100, -200, and -
300 series airplanes, that would have required the replacement of
certain switches located behind the cabin attendant's panel at door 4
right, with new improved switches. That proposal was prompted by
reports indicating that fires have occurred on some airplanes due to
the internal failure of some of these switches. This action revises the
proposed rule by adding a requirement to replace switches located at
door 2 right. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to
prevent the installation and use of switches that could short circuit
when they fail, and consequently cause fire and smoke aboard the
airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received by February 3, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-239-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: Forrest Keller, Senior Aerospace
Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington;
telephone (206) 227-2790; 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 96-NM-239-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. 96-NM-239-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to add an airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to
certain Boeing Model 747-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes, was
published as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal
Register on November 29, 1996 (61 FR 60653). That NPRM would have
required the replacement of switches S4 and/or S5, or switches S7 and
S8 that are installed on the cabin attendant's panel at door 4 right,
with new improved switches. That NPRM was prompted by reports
indicating that fire and smoke have occurred on some airplanes due to
the internal failure of some of these switches.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Proposal
Since the issuance of that NPRM, the FAA has received a report of
the failure of these same switches located at the cabin attendant panel
located at door 2 right on at least two airplanes. Failure of the
switches at this location presents the same unsafe condition addressed
in the previous proposal.
Accordingly, the FAA has determined that, in addition to replacing
these switches at the panel at door 4, operators must replace the
switches at the panel at door 2, as well.
Requirements of the Revised Proposed Rule
This supplemental NPRM proposes to require removing switches S4
and/or S5, or switches S7 and S8, that are currently installed on the
cabin attendant's panel at door 4 right, and the equivalent switches at
door 2 right, and replacing them with new improved switches.
The compliance time for accomplishing the replacement would be
extended from the previously proposed 6 months to 10 months. The FAA
finds that such an extension is appropriate in consideration of the
increased number of work hours and required parts that would be
necessary to accomplish the proposed actions.
These actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance
with the procedures described in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
33A2252, dated August 1, 1996. Although those procedures address
replacing only the switches located at door 4, they can be
[[Page 2982]]
used just as effectively for replacing the switches located at door 2.
Conclusion
Since this change expands the scope of the originally proposed
rule, the FAA has determined that it is necessary to reopen the comment
period to provide additional opportunity for public comment.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 648 Boeing Model 747-100, -200, and -300
series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. Of this
number, the FAA estimates that 167 airplanes are of U.S. registry and
would be affected by this proposed AD
The proposed replacement of the switches would take approximately 5
work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60
per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $1,112. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $235,804, or $1,412 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 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 96-NM-239-AD.
Applicability: Model 747-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes;
as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-33A2252, dated August
1, 1996; 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 the installation and use of switches in the cabin
attendant's panel that could short circuit when they fail, and
consequently cause fire and smoke aboard the airplane, accomplish
the following:
(a) Within 10 months after the effective date of this AD, remove
switches S4 and/or S5, or switches S7 and S8, that are installed in
the cabin attendant's panel at door 4 right, and the equivalent
switches at door 2 right, and replace them with new switches in
accordance with the procedures specified in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-33A2252, dated August 1, 1996.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
at door 2 right or at door 4 right of any airplane an attendant's
panel having switch part numbers identified in the ``Old Switch''
column of any table contained in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-
33A2252, dated August 1, 1996.
(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 2: 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
Secs. 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 January 13, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-1293 Filed 1-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
