[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 104 (Friday, May 30, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29306-29307]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14184]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
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.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 104 / Friday, May 30, 1997 / Proposed
Rules
[[Page 29306]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-85-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, -200, and -300
Series Airplanes
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 certain Boeing Model 747-100, -
200, and -300 series airplanes. This proposal would require the
replacement of certain switches located in the cabin attendant's panel
at doors 1 and 3 right with new, improved switches. This proposal is
prompted by reports indicating that fires have occurred on some
airplanes due to the internal failure of some of these switches. The
actions specified by the 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 July 11, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-85-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 (425) 227-2790; fax (425) 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-85-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-85-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received several reports indicating that fires and
smoke have occurred aboard Model 747-100 series airplanes behind the
cabin attendant's panel at doors 2 right, 3 right, and 4 right. These
incidents, reported by six operators, occurred during flight or after
landing.
Investigation revealed that the fires were the result of internal
failures in switches S4 and/or S5, or switches S7 and S8 at door 4
right, and equivalent switches at the other doors. These failures
caused a short circuit between the switch and its ground.
Equivalent switches are also located in the cabin attendant's panel
at door 1 right although no incidents of fire from the failure of those
switches have been reported. In addition, switches of this type are
found on Model 747-200 and -300 series airplanes.
The installation and use of a switch that could short circuit when
it fails, if not corrected, could result in fire and smoke aboard the
airplane.
Related AD Actions
On April 2, 1997, the FAA issued AD 97-08-05, amendment 39-9993 (62
FR 17534, April 10, 1997), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-100,
-200, and -300 series airplanes, that requires replacement of certain
switches in the cabin attendant's panel at doors 2 right and 4 right
with new improved switches. That AD was prompted by reports indicating
that fires have occurred on some airplanes due to the internal failure
of some of these switches. The actions specified by that 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.
When that AD was issued, the FAA, in response to a comment during
the making of that rule, acknowledged that certain switches at doors 1
right and 3 right also are subject to the same unsafe condition as the
switches at doors 2 and 4. The FAA, however, determined that delaying
the issuance of that AD in order to include those switches was not
appropriate because of the urgency associated with correcting the
unsafe condition at doors 2 right and 4 right, and in light of the time
that had elapsed since the original proposed rule had been issued. The
FAA pointed out, however, that it was considering additional rulemaking
action to address doors 1 right and 3 right. This proposed action is
the result of the FAA's review.
[[Page 29307]]
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
747-33A2252, dated August 1, 1996, as revised by Boeing Notice of
Status Change 747-33A2252 NSC 01, dated October 10, 1996. That alert
service bulletin describes procedures for the replacement of switches
S4 and/or S5, or switches S7 and S8 that are installed in the cabin
attendant's panel at door 4 right with new, improved switches. Those
same procedures can be used (and are just as effective) for replacing
the equivalent switches installed in the cabin attendant's panel at
doors 1 right and 3 right.
In the event that an improved switch fails internally, there will
be no short circuit between the switch and its ground; therefore, the
potential for fire or smoke to occur is reduced.
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 the switches at doors 1 right
and 3 right that are equivalent to the S4 and/or S5, or S7 and S8
switches installed in the cabin attendant's panel at door 4 right.
These switches would be replaced with new, improved switches. The
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the
Boeing alert service bulletin, as revised, described previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 648 Boeing Model 747-100, -200, and -300
series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet.
The FAA estimates that 167 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 10 work hours
per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, at an average labor
rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately
$2,600 per airplane ($1,300 per panel). Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$534,400, or $3,200 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 97-NM-85-AD.
Applicability: Model 747-100, -200, and -300 series airplanes;
as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-33A2252, dated August
1, 1996, as revised by Boeing Notice of Status Change 747-33A2252
NSC 01, dated October 10, 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 at doors 1 right and 3 right 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,
replace the switches located at doors 1 right and 3 right that are
equivalent to switches S4 and/or S5, or S7 and S8 installed in the
cabin attendant's panel at door 4 right with new, improved switches,
in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-33A2252, dated
August 1, 1996, as amended by Boeing Notice of Status Change 747-
33A2252 NSC 01, dated October 10, 1996.
Note 2: Although the procedures in this alert service bulletin,
as revised, pertain to the replacement of the switches located at
door 4 right, these procedures can be used (and are just as
effective) for replacing the equivalent switches located at doors 1
right and 3 right.
(b) As of 10 months from the effective date of this AD, no
person shall install at doors 1 right and 3 right of any airplane a
cabin attendant's panel having a part number identified in the ``Old
Switch '' column of any table contained in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin 747-33A2252, dated August 1, 1996, as revised by Boeing
Notice of Status Change 747-33A2252 NSC 01, dated October 10, 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 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 May 23, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-14184 Filed 5-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
