Summary
This document revises an earlier proposed airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to any transport category airplane that is equipped with certain Day-Ray fluorescent light ballasts installed in the upper and/or lower cabin sidewall, that would have required a visual inspection to determine the type of fluorescent light ballasts installed in the cabin sidewall, and either the replacement of suspect ballasts or the installation of a protective cover over the ballast. That proposal was prompted by reports of smoke, fumes, and/or electrical fire emitting from the baggage bin of the aft passenger compartment due to the failure of the fluorescent light ballasts. This new action revises the proposed rule by removing the option to install a protective cover over the ballast. The actions specified by this new proposed AD are intended to prevent the potential for a fire in the passenger compartment resulting from failure of the fluorescent light ballast of the cabin sidewall.