Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-300 Series Airplanes Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate ST00171SE

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 134 (Thursday, July 12, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36455-36456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17158]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-237-AD; Amendment 39-12321; AD 2001-14-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-300 Series Airplanes 
Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate ST00171SE

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all Boeing Model 737-300 series airplanes modified by 
Supplemental Type Certificate ST00171SE, that requires installation of 
a master switch to apply and remove power from the in-flight 
entertainment (IFE) system, and revision of the Airplane Flight Manual. 
This action is necessary to ensure that the flight crew is able to 
remove electrical power from the IFE system when necessary and is 
advised of appropriate procedures for such action. Inability to remove 
power from the IFE system 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: Effective August 16, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 16, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Flight Structures, Inc., 4407 172nd Street NE., 
Arlington, Washington 98223. This information may be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen S. Oshiro, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 227-2793; fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all Boeing Model 737-300 series 
airplanes modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00171SE was 
published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2001 (66 FR 13198). That 
action proposed to require installation of a master switch to apply and 
remove power from the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, and 
revision of the Airplane Flight Manual.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    None of the Model 737-300 series airplanes modified by STC 
ST00171SE 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 will take approximately 24 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate 
of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,500 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be 
$2,940 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this 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 adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:

2001-14-10   Boeing: Amendment 39-12321. Docket 2000-NM-237-AD.


[[Page 36456]]


    Applicability: Model 737-300 series airplanes modified by 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00171SE, 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 in-flight entertainment (IFE) system when necessary 
and is advised of appropriate procedures for such action, accomplish 
the following:

Installation of Power Switch and Revision of Airplane Flight Manual

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, in accordance 
with Flight Structures Service Bulletin 94FS492-23-01, Revision 2, 
dated September 21, 2000.
    (1) Install a master switch to apply and remove power from the 
IFE system.
    (2) Insert the Temporary Revision included in the service 
bulletin into the Emergency Procedures section of the FAA-approved 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), to advise the flight crew on 
procedures for using the master switch installed in accordance with 
paragraph (a)(1) of this AD. Once the AFM has been formally revised 
to include the information in the Temporary Revision, the Temporary 
Revision may be removed from the AFM.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an IFE system in accordance with STC ST00171SE 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, Seattle Aircraft 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, 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Sec. Sec. 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Flight 
Structures Service Bulletin 94FS492-23-01, Revision 2, dated 
September 21, 2000. This incorporation by reference was approved by 
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Flight 
Structures, Inc., 4407 172nd Street NE., Arlington, Washington 
98223. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on August 16, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 3, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-17158 Filed 7-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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