Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-300 Series Airplanes Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate ST01783AT-D

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 73 (Wednesday, April 16, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18535-18536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8741]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-54-AD; Amendment 39-13111; AD 2003-07-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-300 Series Airplanes 
Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate ST01783AT-D

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 767-300 series airplanes modified by 
Supplemental Type Certificate ST01783AT-D, that requires modifying the 
in-flight entertainment (IFE) system and revising the airplane flight 
manual. The actions specified by this AD are intended 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 May 21, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 21, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from TIMCO Engineered Systems, Inc., 623 Radar Road, 
Greensboro, North Carolina 27410. This information may be examined at 
the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One 
Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia; or 
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Chupka, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Flight Test Branch, ACE-116A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 
450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone (770) 703-6070; fax (770) 703-
6097.

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 767-300 series 
airplanes modified by Supplemental Type Certificate ST01783AT-D was 
published in the Federal Register on January 3, 2003 (68 FR 308). That 
action proposed to require modifying the in-flight entertainment (IFE) 
system and revising 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

    There are approximately 37 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 37 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 66 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the modification on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be $146,520, or $3,960 per airplane.
    It will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the AFM revision, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the AFM revision on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be $2,220, or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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

[[Page 18536]]

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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-07-15 Boeing: Amendment 39-13111. Docket 2002-NM-54-AD.

    Applicability: Model 767-300 series airplanes modified by 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01783AT-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 in-flight entertainment (IFE) system 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, 
accomplish paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Modify the IFE system installed on the airplane by 
installing two new relays and a new circuit breaker, according to 
TIMCO Service Bulletin TSB-767-23-009, Revision IR, dated August 22, 
2001.
    (2) Revise the procedures under ``Electrical Smoke or Fire'' in 
the ``Emergency Procedures'' section of the airplane flight manual 
(AFM) to include TIMCO AFM Supplement TIM-AFM-01035, dated March 13, 
2002. When the information in that AFM supplement has been 
incorporated into the FAA-approved general revisions of the AFM, the 
general revisions may be incorporated into the AFM, and the AFM 
supplement may be removed from the AFM.

Part Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an IFE system according to STC ST01783AT-D on any airplane, unless 
the IFE system is modified and the AFM is revised according to 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, Atlanta 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, Atlanta ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta 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 modification shall be done in accordance with TIMCO 
Service Bulletin TSB-767-23-009, dated August 22, 2001; the AFM 
revision shall be done in accordance with TIMCO Airplane Flight 
Manual Supplement TIM-AFM-01035, dated March 13, 2002. 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 TIMCO Engineered Systems, Inc., 623 
Radar Road, Greensboro, North Carolina 27410. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, 
suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia; 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 May 21, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 4, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-8741 Filed 4-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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