
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 77 (Monday, April 22, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23691-23692]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09429]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0033; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-019-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. That NPRM would also have required changing the wiring at the 
cabin management system in the purser station. 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proposed AD is withdrawn.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: raymont.mei@faa.gov.

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 5503). 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 replacing the cabin area control panels; changing the wiring; 
modifying the purser station or the A-4 galley, as applicable; 
installing new cabin system management unit, cabin area control panel, 
overhead electronics unit, and zone management units operational 
software, as applicable; and making a change to the cabin services 
system (CSS) configuration database and installing the new database in 
the CSS components. That NPRM would also have required changing the 
wiring at the cabin management system in the purser station. 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 5503, February 1, 2011) Was Issued

    Since we issued the NPRM (76 FR 5503, 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

[[Page 23692]]

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 5503, February 1, 2011) is 
withdrawn.
    Withdrawal of the NPRM (76 FR 5503, 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 5503, 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-2011-0033, 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-019-AD, which published in the Federal 
Register on February 1, 2011 (76 FR 5503).

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 1, 2013.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-09429 Filed 4-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


