[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22673]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-93-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 Series 
Airplanes and Model MD-88 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Model DC-9-80 series 
airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes. This proposal would require an 
inspection to detect damage, burn marks, or discoloration at certain 
electrical plugs and receptacles of the sidewall lighting in the 
passenger cabin, and correction of discrepancies. This proposal would 
also require modification of the electrical connectors, which, when 
accomplished, would terminate the inspection requirement. This proposal 
is prompted by reports of failures of the electrical connectors in the 
sidewall fluorescent lighting, which resulted in smoke or lighting 
interruption in the passenger cabin. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent failures of the electrical 
connectors, which could result in poor socket/pin contact, excessive 
heat, electrical arcing, and subsequently, connector burn through and 
smoke in the passenger cabin.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 7, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-93-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach, 
California 90801-1771, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical 
Administrative Support, Dept. L51, M.C. 2-98. This information may be 
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, 
Long Beach, California 90806-2425.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elvin K. Wheeler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-132L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East 
Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-
5344; fax (310) 988-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 94-NM-93-AD''. The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 94-NM-93-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of failures of the electrical 
connectors in the sidewall fluorescent lighting on Model DC-9-80 series 
airplanes, which resulted in smoke or lighting interruption in the 
passenger cabin. Investigation revealed that these connectors became 
internally overheated. The cause of this internal overheating has been 
attributed to physically damaged or improperly connected connectors. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in poor socket/pin 
contact, excessive heat, electrical arcing, and subsequently, connector 
burn through and smoke in the passenger cabin. -
    The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service 
Bulletin 33-99, dated May 24, 1994, which describes procedures for a 
visual inspection to detect damage, burn marks, or black or brown 
discoloration caused by electrical arcing at electrical plugs, having 
part number (P/N) MS3126F-15P, and receptacles, having P/N MS3124E-15S, 
of the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin, and correction of 
discrepancies. It also describes procedures for modification of the 
electrical connectors of the sidewall lighting, which, when 
accomplished, would terminate the inspection requirement. This 
modification involves removing 230 VAC (400 Hz) power wires of existing 
electrical connectors of the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin, 
and installing separate wire splice-connectors or hard splice at the 
230 VAC (400 Hz) power wires. This modification also involves 
ascertaining that the electrical connectors of the sidewall lighting 
are tight and properly installed. Accomplishment of this modification 
minimizes the possibility of failure of the electrical connectors.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require a visual inspection to detect damage, burn 
marks, or black or brown discoloration at certain electrical plugs and 
receptacles of the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin, and 
correction of discrepancies. It would also require the eventual 
modification of the electrical connectors of the sidewall lighting, 
which, when accomplished, would terminate the inspection requirement. 
The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
service bulletin described previously.
    There are approximately 907 McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 series 
airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 490 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
50 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would be 
supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $1,347,500, or $2,750 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as 
follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. app. 1354(a), 1421, and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 94-NM-93-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 
(MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplanes; and Model MD-88 
airplanes; as listed in McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 33-
99, dated May 24, 1994; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent poor socket/pin contact, excessive heat, electrical 
arcing, and subsequently, connector burnthrough and smoke in the 
passenger cabin, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a visual inspection to detect damage, burn marks, or black 
or brown discoloration caused by electrical arcing at electrical 
plugs, having part number (P/N) MS3126F-15P, and receptacles, having 
P/N MS3124E-15S, of the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin, in 
accordance with McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 33-99, 
dated May 24, 1994.
    (1) If no discrepancies are found, no further action is required 
by this paragraph.
    (2) If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, 
replace the damaged connectors, pins, sockets, or wire with new 
parts, in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (b) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the electrical connectors of the sidewall lighting in the passenger 
cabin in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 33-99, 
dated May 24, 1994. Accomplishment of this modification constitutes 
terminating action for the requirements of this AD.
    (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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 8, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-22673 Filed 9-13-94; 8:45 am]
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