AD FAA-2013-0544

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of smoke or flames in the passenger cabin of various transport category airplanes related to the wiring for the passenger cabin in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, cabin lighting, and passenger seats. This AD requires, for certain airplanes, doing an inspection of the electrical power control panel for a certain part number, and corrective action if necessary; and, for certain other airplanes, installing a new electrical power control panel, and making changes to the wiring and certain electrical load management system (ELMS) panels. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew is able to turn off electrical power to the IFE systems and other non- essential electrical systems through one or two switches in the flight deck in the event of smoke or flames. In the event of smoke or flames in the airplane flight deck or passenger cabin, the flightcrew's inability to turn off electrical power to the IFE system and other non- essential electrical systems 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, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.