[Federal Register: October 26, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 207)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 62568-62570]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26oc06-12]
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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.
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[[Page 62568]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26110; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-112-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400, 747-400D, and
747-400F Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Boeing Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series
airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacement of an electronic
flight information system/engine indicating and crew alerting system
(EFIS/EICAS) interface unit (EIU) located on the E2-6 shelf of the main
equipment center with a new or modified EIU. This proposed AD results
from two instances where all six integrated display units (IDUs) on the
flight deck panels went blank in flight. We are proposing this AD to
prevent loss of the IDUs due to failure of all three EIUs, which could
result in the inability of the flightcrew to maintain safe flight and
landing of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 11,
2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle,
Washington 98124-2207, for the service information identified in this
proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jay Yi, Aerospace Engineer, Systems
and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone
(425) 917-6494; fax (425) 917-6590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
26110; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-112-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System
receives them.
Discussion
We have received a report indicating that all six integrated
display units (IDUs) on the flight deck panels went blank in flight, on
two Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes. With these failures the
primary displays of attitude, airspeed, and altitude are lost. Also,
engine, navigation, and other status and necessary displays are lost.
In both instances, the flightcrew was able to land the airplane safely.
The six IDUs were returned to normal operation after cycling (pulling
out and then pushing back) the circuit breakers for the electronic
flight information system/engine indicating and crew alerting system
(EFIS/EICAS) interface units (EIUs). Investigation revealed that all
six IDUs blanked because all three of the EIUs stopped transmitting
data to the IDUs over a period of time. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in the inability of the flightcrew to maintain
safe flight and landing of the airplane.
Other Related Rulemaking
On May 5, 2004, we issued AD 2004-10-05, amendment 39-13635 (69 FR
28051, May 18, 2004), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400, 747-
400D, and 747-400F series airplanes; Model 757-200, 757-200PF, and 757-
200CB series airplanes; and Model 767-200, 767-300, and 767-300F series
airplanes. That AD requires modification of the air data computer (ADC)
system, which involves installing certain new circuit breakers, relays,
and related components and making various wiring changes in and between
the flight deck and main equipment center. For certain airplanes, that
AD also requires accomplishment of various other actions prior to or
concurrently with the modification of the ADC
[[Page 62569]]
system. For certain airplanes, that AD also contains an option that
extends the compliance time to accomplish the modification of the ADC
system. Specifically, paragraph (d)(1) of AD 2004-10-05 requires the
following concurrent actions for Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F
series airplanes: Replacement of EIUs with improved EIUs; installation
of new software in the IDUs and EIUs; replacement of certain central
maintenance computers (CMCs) with improved CMCs and modification of
related wiring and the data loader control panel; and installation of
new software in the CMC; as applicable. Replacing all three EIUs with
new or modified EIUs in accordance with paragraph (f) of this proposed
AD is acceptable for compliance with the replacement of EIUs with
improved EIUs required by paragraph (d)(1) of AD 2004-10-05. All other
actions required by paragraph (d)(1) of AD 2004-10-05 must be complied
with.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368, Revision 1,
dated July 24, 2006. The service bulletin describes procedures for
replacing the three EIUs, part number (P/N) 622-8589-104, located on
the E2-6 shelf of the main equipment center with EIUs that have auto
restart circuitry, P/N 622-8589-105. Accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information is intended to adequately address
the unsafe condition.
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368 refers to Rockwell Collins
Service Bulletin EIU-7000-31-502, dated March 21, 2006, as an
additional source of service information for modifying an EIU by adding
auto restart circuitry, which converts EIU P/N 622-8589-104 to P/N 622-
8589-105.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes
of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD,
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously, except as discussed under
``Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.''
Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin
Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368 recommends replacing all three
EIUs located on the E2-6 shelf of the main equipment center with
improved EIUs. However, this proposed AD would require replacing only
one of the three EIUs. Since the three EIUs are identical to provide
triple redundancy, we have determined that replacement of at least one
EIU will adequately address the unsafe condition of this proposed AD.
We have coordinated this difference with Boeing.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 639 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 79 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 1 work hour per
airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts
would cost about $2,840 per airplane (to replace one EIU). Based on
these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators
is $230,680, or $2,920 per airplane.
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 have 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 that the 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
Boeing: Docket No. FAA-2006-26110; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-
112-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by December
11, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) Accomplishing paragraph (f) of this AD for all three
electronic flight information system/engine indicating and crew
alerting system (EFIS/EICAS) interface units (EIUs) terminates
certain requirements of AD 2004-10-05, amendment 39-13635.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-
400F series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified
in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368, Revision 1, dated July 24,
2006.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from two instances where all six integrated
display units (IDUs) on the flight deck panels went blank in flight.
We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of the IDUs due to failure of
all three EIUs, which could result in the inability of the
flightcrew to maintain safe flight and landing of the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Replacement
(f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace at least one of the three EIUs, part number (P/N) 622-8589-
104,
[[Page 62570]]
located on the E2-6 shelf of the main equipment center with a new or
modified EIU, P/N 622-8589-105, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368,
Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006.
Note 1: Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368, Revision 1, dated
July 24, 2006, refers to Rockwell Collins Service Bulletin EIU-7000-
31-502, dated March 21, 2006, as an additional source of service
information for modifying an EIU by adding auto restart circuitry,
which converts EIU P/N 622-8589-104 to P/N 622-8589-105.
Credit for Previous Service Bulletin
(g) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368, dated November
22, 2005 (Revision 1 of the service bulletin specifies that the
original issue is dated December 1, 2005), are acceptable for
compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraph (f) of
this AD.
Credit for AD 2004-10-05
(h) Replacing all three EIUs with new or modified EIUs in
accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD is acceptable for
compliance with only the EIU replacement of paragraph (d)(1) of AD
2004-10-05. All other actions required by paragraph (d)(1) of AD
2004-10-05 must be complied with.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 13, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-17655 Filed 10-25-06; 8:45 am]
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