[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 179 (Friday, September 15, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47900-47903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22967]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 47901]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-NM-131-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Models DC-9, DC-9-80,
and MD-90-30 Series Airplanes, and Model MD-88 Airplanes, and C-9
(Military) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an exiting
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas
Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes, that
currently requires an inspection to detect chafing of or damage to the
wire bundle in the overhead switch panel of the cockpit, application of
spiral wrap to the wire bundle, and corrective actions, if necessary.
That AD was prompted by reports of chafed and shorted wires that
resulted in smoke emanating from the overhead switch panel of the
cockpit. This action would expand the applicability of the rule to
include certain Model DC-9, C-9 (military), and MD-90-30 series
airplanes. This action also proposes to add a requirement to reroute
the wire bundle to preclude chafing and damage. The actions specified
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent the potential for fire and
uncontrolled smoke throughout the cockpit as a result of chafing and
shorting in the electrical wire bundles.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 13, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-131-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, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard,
Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications
Business Administration, Department C1-L51 (2-60). 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, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. Kirk Baker, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712; telephone (310) 627-5345; fax (310) 627-5210.
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 95-NM-131-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. 95-NM-131-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On April 25, 1995, the FAA issued AD 95-09-10, amendment 39-9213
(60 FR 21977, May 4, 1995), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas
Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes. That AD
requires a one-time visual inspection to detect chafing of or damage to
the wire bundle in the overhead switch panel of the cockpit,
application of spiral wrap to the wire bundle, repair of chafed wire
insulation, and splicing of damaged wires. That action was prompted by
reports of chafed and shorted wires that resulted in smoke emanating
from the overhead switch panel of the cockpit. The requirements of that
AD are intended to prevent the potential for fire and uncontrolled
smoke throughout the cockpit as a result of chafing and shorting in the
electrical wire bundles.
In the preamble to AD 95-09-10, the FAA indicated that the required
actions were considered to be interim action, and that additional
rulemaking action was being considered to require modification
(rerouting) of the wire bundles. The FAA also indicated that subsequent
rulemaking action may be proposed to require the same actions that are
required by AD 95-09-10 be applicable to certain Model DC-9, C-9
(military), and MD-90-30 series airplanes.
The FAA now has determined that certain Model DC-9, C-9 (military),
and MD-90-30 series airplanes are subject to the same unsafe condition
as Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes that were
identified in the applicability of AD-95-09-10, The wire bundle in the
overhead switch panel of the cockpit is routed similarly in all of
these airplanes and, therefore, the same potential for wire chafing and
damage exists on all of these airplanes. Further, the FAA has
determined the rerouting the wire bundles in the overhead switch panel
of the cockpit on these airplanes will preclude the potential for fire
and uncontrolled smoke throughout the cockpit .
Based on these determinations, the FAA finds that additional
rulemaking is indeed necessary, and this proposed rule follows from
these determinations.
Additionally, the FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglass
MD-90 Alert Service Bullletin MD90-24A001, dated April 11, 1995, which
describes procedures for a one-time visual inspection to detect chafing
of the wire bundle in the overhead switch panel of the cockpit,
application of spiral wrap, repair of chafed wire insulation, and
splicing of damaged wires. This service bulletin pertains only to
certain Model MD-90 series airplanes.
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 supersede AD 95-09-10 to continue to require a one-
time visual inspection to detect chafing of or damage to the wire
bundle in the overhead switch panel of the cockpit, application of
spiral wrap to the wire bundle, repair of chafed wire insulation, and
splicing of damaged wires. For certain Model MD-90-30 series airplanes,
the actions would be
[[Page 47902]]
required to be accomplished in accordance with the alert service
bulletin described previously. For certain Model DC-9, C-9 (military),
DC-9-80 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, the actions would
continue to be required to be accomplished in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas DC-9 Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A157, dated April 11, 1995
(which was referenced in AD 95-09-10 as the appropriate source of
service information).
Additionally, the proposed AD would add a requirement to reroute
the wire bundle in accordance with a method approved by the FAA.
As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general,
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes
that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that
have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA
points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision
of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered
or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance
with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval
for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with
the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has
been included in this notice to clarify this long-standing requirement.
There are approximately 2,012 Model DC-9, C-9 (military, DC-9-80,
and MD-90-30 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 816
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD. The
proposed requirement to inspect and spiral wrap the wire bundle would
take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, and the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $5 per airplane. Based on these figures that total cost
impact of these proposed actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$185 per airplane.
The requirement to inspect and spiral wrap the wire bundle,
specified in this proposed rule, was previously required by AD 95-09-
10, which was applicable to 614 Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and
Model MD-88 airplanes of U.S. registry. Based on the figures discussed
above, the total cost impact of the current requirements of that AD on
U.S. operators of Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-88
airplanes is estimated to be $113,590. In consideration of the
compliance time and effective date of AD 95-09-10, the FAA assumes that
U.S. operators of airplanes that are subject to the requirements of
that AD have already initiated the required actions. Therefore, the
proposed action to inspect and spiral wrap the wire bundle would add no
new costs associated with those airplanes.
However, this proposed action would also be applicable to
approximately 202 Model DC-9, C-9 (military), and Model MD-9-30 series
airplanes of U.S. registry. Based on the figures discussed above, the
total new costs imposed by this proposal on U.S. operators of these
airplanes are estimated to be $37,370. This figure is based on
assumptions that no operator of these additional airplanes 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 newly proposed requirements of this AD action to reroute the
wire bundle would be applicable to 816 Model DC-9, C-9 (military), DC-
9-80, and Model MD-90-30 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed requirement to reroute the wire bundle
would take approximately 0.5 work hour per airplane to accomplish, and
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost
approximately $5 per airplane. Based on these figures the total cost
impact of this proposed action on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$28,560, or $35 per airplane.
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. 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-9213 (60 FR
21977, May 4, 1995), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD),
to read as follows:
McDonnell Douglas: Docket 95-NM-131-AD. Supersedes AD 95-09-10,
Amendment 39-9213.
Applicability: Models DC-9, C-9 (military), and DC-9-80 series
airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas
DC-9 Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A157, dated April 11, 1995; and
Model MD-90-30 series airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas
Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A001, dated April 11, 1995;
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority
provided in paragraph (b) of this AD to request approval from the
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent the potential for fire and uncontrolled smoke
throughout the cockpit, accomplish the follows:
(a) For Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-88
airplanes: Within 90 days after May 19, 1995 (the effective date of
AD 95-09-10, amendment 39-9213), perform a
[[Page 47903]]
visual inspection to detect chafing of or damage to the wire bundle in
the overhead switch panel of the cockpit, in accordance with
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A157, dated April 11,
1995.
(1) If no chafing or damage is detected, prior to further
flight, apply spiral wrap to the wire bundle in accordance with the
alert service bulletin.
(2) If the wire insulation is chafed, prior to further flight,
repair it and then apply spiral wrap to the wire bundle, in
accordance with the alert service bulletin.
(3) If the wire conductor is damaged, prior to further flight,
splice the wires and then apply spiral wrap to the wire bundle, in
accordance with the alert service bulletin.
(b) For Model DC-9 and C-9 (military), and MD-90-30 series
airplanes: Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a visual inspection to detect chafing of or damage to the
wire bundle in the overhead switch panel of the cockpit, in
accordance with McDonnell Douglas CD-9 Alert Service Bulletin DC9-
24A157, dated April 11, 1995 [for Model DC-9 and C-9 (military)
series airplanes], or McDonnell Douglas MD-90 Alert Service Bulletin
MD90-24A001, dated April 11, 1995 (for Model MD-90-30 series
airplanes), as applicable.
(1) If no chafing or damage is detected, prior to further
flight, apply spiral wrap to the wire bundle in accordance with the
applicable alert service bulletin.
(2) If the wire insulation is chafed, prior to further flight,
repair it and then apply spiral wrap to the wire bundle, in
accordance with the alert service bulletin.
(3) If the wire conductor is damaged, prior to further flight,
splice the wires and them apply spiral wrap to the wire bundle, in
accordance with the applicable alert service bulletin.
(c) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, reroute
the wire bundle in the overhead switch panel of the cockpit in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate.
(d) 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 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
Note 3: Alternative methods of compliance previously granted for
amendment 39-9213, AD 95-09-10, continue to be considered as
acceptable alternative methods of compliance with this amendment.
(e) 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 11, 1995.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-22967 Filed 9-14-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M