[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U