[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 77 (Monday, April 22, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23690-23691]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09422]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0034; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-021-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.
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SUMMARY: The FAA withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that
proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing
Company Model 777-200 series airplanes. The proposed AD would have
required installing a new circuit breaker, relays, and wiring to allow
the flightcrew to turn off electrical power to the in-flight
entertainment (IFE) systems and other non-essential electrical systems
through a switch in the flight compartment, and doing other specified
actions. This proposed AD would also have required installing a new
cabin system control panel (CSCP); installing a new cabin management
system (CMS) configuration database; and installing new operational
program software (OPS) for the CSCP, zone management unit (ZMU),
passenger address controller, cabin interphone controller, cabin area
control panel (CACP), speaker drive module, overhead electronics units,
and seat electronics unit. Since the proposed AD was issued, we have
received new data that indicates the unsafe condition would not be
adequately addressed by the proposed action. Subsequently, we are
considering issuing new rulemaking that positively addresses the unsafe
condition identified in the NPRM and eliminates the need for the
actions proposed in the NPRM. Accordingly, the proposed AD is
withdrawn.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD action, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is the Document
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ray Mei, Aerospace Engineer, Systems
and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification
Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-
6467; fax: 425-917-6590; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We proposed to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations
(14 CFR part 39) with a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for a new
AD for certain Model 777-200 series airplanes. That NPRM published in
the Federal Register on February 1, 2011 (76 FR 5505). The NPRM would
have required installing a new circuit breaker, relays, and wiring to
allow the flightcrew to turn off electrical power to the IFE systems
and other non-essential electrical systems through a switch in the
flight compartment, and doing other specified actions. The actions
included removing the CSCP core partition software, the CACP OPS, the
ZMU OPS, and the cabin system management unit (CSMU) OPS; installing
OPS for the CSCP, CACP, ZMU, and CSMU; and installing the new
configuration database (CDB). That NPRM would also have required
installing a new CSCP; installing a new CMS CDB, installing passenger
address controller, cabin
[[Page 23691]]
interphone controller, speaker drive module, overhead electronics
units, and seat electronics unit. The NPRM resulted from an IFE systems
review. The proposed actions were intended to ensure that the
flightcrew is able to turn off electrical power to the IFE system and
other non-essential electrical systems through a switch in the flight
compartment in the event of smoke or flames. The flightcrew's inability
to turn off electrical power to the IFE system and other non-essential
electrical systems in the event of smoke or flames could result in the
inability to control smoke or flames in the airplane flight deck or
passenger cabin during a non-normal or emergency situation.
Actions Since NPRM (76 FR 5505, February 1, 2011) Was Issued
Since we issued the NPRM (76 FR 5505, February 1, 2011), we have
received new data that indicates the unsafe condition would not be
adequately addressed by the proposed action. Subsequently, we are
considering issuing new rulemaking that positively addresses the unsafe
condition identified in the NPRM and eliminates the need for the
actions proposed in the NPRM.
FAA's Conclusions
Upon further consideration, we have determined that the unsafe
condition still exists, however, we intend to address it with new AD
rulemaking. Accordingly, the NPRM (76 FR 5505, February 1, 2011) is
withdrawn.
Withdrawal of the NPRM (76 FR 5505, February 1, 2011) does not
preclude the FAA from issuing another related action or commit the FAA
to any course of action in the future.
Regulatory Impact
Since this action only withdraws an NPRM (76 FR 5505, February 1,
2011), it is neither a proposed nor a final rule and therefore is not
covered under Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26,
1979).
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Withdrawal
Accordingly, we withdraw the NPRM, Docket No. FAA-2011-0034,
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-021-AD, which published in the Federal
Register on February 1, 2011 (76 FR 5505).
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 1, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09422 Filed 4-19-13; 8:45 am]
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