AD 2001-14-11

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Boeing Model 747-100 and -200 series airplanes modified by Supplemental Type Certificate SA8622SW, that requires deactivation of the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. This action is necessary to ensure that the flight crew is able to remove power from the IFE system when necessary. 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.

Final rule.

2001-14-11 Boeing: Amendment 39-12322. Docket 2000-NM-240-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model 747-100 and -200 series airplanes modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA8622SW, certificated in any category. \n\n\tNote 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. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo ensure that the flight crew is able to remove power from the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system when necessary; which, if not done during a non-normal or emergency situation, could result in inability to control smoke or fumes in the airplane flight deck or cabin; accomplish the following: \n\nDeactivation \n\n\t(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, deactivate the IFE system, in accordance with Continental Airlines Engineering Change/Repair Authorization 2330-02321, 2330-02322, 2330-02323, 2330-02324, 2330-02325, 2330-02326, 2330-02327, or 2330-02328; all dated August 29, 2000; as applicable. \n\nSpares \n\n\t(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install an IFE system in accordance with STC SA8622SW on any airplane. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance \n\n\t(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, Fort Worth Airplane 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, Fort Worth ACO. \n\n\tNote 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Fort Worth ACO. \n\nSpecial Flight Permits \n\n\t(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with Secs. 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. \n\nIncorporation by Reference \n\n\t(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Continental Airlines Engineering Change/Repair Authorization 2330-02321, dated August 29, 2000; Continental Airlines Engineering Change/Repair Authorization 2330-02322, dated August 29, 2000; Continental Airlines Engineering Change/Repair Authorization 2330-02323, dated August 29, 2000; Continental Airlines Engineering Change/Repair Authorization 2330-02324, dated August 29, 2000; Continental Airlines Engineering Change/Repair Authorization 2330-02325, dated August 29, 2000; Continental Airlines Engineering Change/Repair Authorization 2330-02326, dated August 29, 2000; Continental Airlines Engineering Change/Repair Authorization 2330-02327, dated August 29, 2000; or Continental Airlines Engineering Change/Repair Authorization 2330-02328, dated August 29, 2000; as applicable. (Only the first page of these documents contains the document date; no other page contains this information.) 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 Continental Airlines, Inc., 600 Jefferson Street HQJAV, Houston, Texas 77002. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; at the FAA, Fort Worth Airplane Certification Office, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. \n\nEffective Date \n\n\t(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 16, 2001.

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 747-100 and -200 series airplanes modified by Supplemental Type Certificate SA8622SW was published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2001 (66 FR 13204). That action proposed to require deactivation of the in-flight entertainment system. \n\nComments \n\n\tInterested 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. \n\nConclusion \n\n\tThe FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed. \n\nCost Impact \n\n\tThere are approximately 8 Model 747-100 and -200 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 8 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD,that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $480, or $60 per airplane. \n\n\tThe 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. \n\nRegulatory Impact \n\n\tThe 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. \n\n\tFor 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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. \n\nAdoption of theAmendment \n\n\tAccordingly, 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: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n\t1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: