[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 213 (Friday, November 3, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55781-55784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-26723]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-ANE-31; Amendment 39-9408; AD 95-22-01]
Airworthiness Directives; Aerospace Lighting Corporation Power
Units and Power Supplies
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to certain Aerospace Lighting Corporation (ALC) lamp
connectors and fluorescent lamps, that currently requires an
inspection, and adjustment or replacement of improperly installed,
damaged, or improperly configured lamp connectors and fluorescent lamps
used in cabin fluorescent lighting
[[Page 55782]]
systems. This amendment adds an optional replacement of certain power
units and power supplies with new technology parts as terminating
action to the repetitive inspections. This amendment is prompted by the
availability of new technology components. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent smoke, fire, electrical shock, and
possible electromagnetic interference caused by high voltage arcing in
the cabin which, if undetected, could result in personal hazard or loss
of the aircraft.
DATES: Effective December 4, 1995.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 4, 1995.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Aerospace Lighting Corporation, 101-8 Colin Drive,
Holbrook, NY 11741; telephone (516) 563-6400, fax (516) 563-8781. This
information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12
New England Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299; or at the Office
of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bradford Chin, Electronics Engineer,
New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller
Directorate, 10 Fifth St., Third Floor, Valley Stream, NY 11581-1200;
telephone (516) 256-7507, fax (516) 568-2716.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 90-14-06,
Amendment 39-6640 (55 FR 27457, July 3, 1990), which is applicable to
Aerospace Lighting Corporation (ALC) lamp connectors, Part Number (P/N)
31.85.1.A, and Series 66 fluorescent lamps, was published in the
Federal Register on January 4, 1995 (60 FR 382). That action proposed
to continue to require an inspection, and adjustment or replacement of
improperly installed, damaged, or improperly configured lamp connectors
and fluorescent lamps used in cabin fluorescent lighting systems in
accordance with ALC Information Bulletin No. IB 90-001, dated August
15, 1992. That AD also proposed to add an optional replacement of power
units, and power supplies and dimmers, with new technology protected
power units, and protected power supplies, as applicable. Installation
of these protected power units and protected power supplies constitutes
terminating action to the repetitive inspections. The actions required
by that proposed AD would be required to be accomplished in accordance
with the following ALC Installation Instructions (II): AL-11023M,
Revision A, dated May 20, 1994; AL-11024M, dated March 15, 1992; and
AL-11025M, dated March 15, 1992. These II's describe procedures for
installing improved design protected power units, and protected power
supplies, as applicable.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Three commenters support the rule as proposed.
One commenter suggests that the real problem lies with Series
``66'' lamps, which have spring tension split rings that cause arcing
as the lamps wear. The commenter suggests that a terminating action
need only require replacing all Series ``66'' lamps with Series ``AL-
12'' lamps. The FAA does not concur. While the FAA agrees that
replacing the Series ``66'' lamps will eliminate the lamp connection as
a possible arcing site, the rest of the lamp output loop contains the
same arcing potential as the lamp connector. The FAA has determined
that replacing the Series ``66'' lamps is not a satisfactory
terminating action as it does not completely prevent arcing in the
aircraft from fluorescent lighting high voltage.
The manufacturer states that the economic analysis work hours and
parts should be lowered to better reflect field practice. The FAA
concurs and the economic analysis has been revised accordingly.
The manufacturer also states that the list of aircraft
installations in the applicability should be revised to delete a Beech
model and add certain Raytheon Corporate Jets, Inc. and Bombardier Inc.
Canadair models. The FAA concurs and this final rule has been revised
accordingly.
The manufacturer also commented that the ALC part numbers listed in
paragraphs (d)(3) and (d)(4) of the proposed rule represented the same
unit. The manufacturer suggests that paragraphs (d)(3) and (d)(4) can
be combined into a single paragraph. The FAA concurs. The part number
for ALC P/N 18-95D was changed in January 1991 to P/N AL-0598, and P/N
22-311 to P/N AL-0542. These old and new part number units are
functionally and physically identical. ALC has integrated the dimmer
functions of P/N 22-311 and P/N AL-0542 into power units P/N AL-5118
and P/N AL-5130. Because of these changes, the FAA has revised
paragraphs (d)(3) and (d)(4) by combining them into a single paragraph
(d)(3) in the final rule.
The manufacturer also states that the word ``removal'' should be
deleted from paragraph (a)(2). The FAA does not concur. Operators are
required to remove unserviceable parts and then replace those parts
with serviceable parts. The FAA has, however, reworded paragraph (a)(2)
for clarity and to update the referenced service information.
Lastly, the manufacturer states that paragraph (d)(2) should
provide that the optional replacement actions constitute alternative
methods of compliance with the AD. The FAA does not concur. The
replacement actions in paragraph (d)(2) work to end an operator's
obligation to continue repetitive inspections, and, therefore,
compliance with those inspection requirements of the AD. The FAA views
those actions as an end to the AD for that operator rather than as an
alternate method of complying with the AD.
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes described
previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
The FAA estimates that it will take approximately 1 work hour per
power unit or power supply to accomplish the required actions, and that
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $400 per power unit or $900 per power supply. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $460 per power unit or $960 per power supply.
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) will not have a
significant economic impact, positive or negative, on a
[[Page 55783]]
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act. A final evaluation has been prepared for
this action and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air Transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Amendment 39-6640 (55 FR
27457, July 3, 1990) and by adding a new airworthiness directive,
Amendment 39-9408, to read as follows:
95-22-01 Aerospace Lighting Corporation: Amendment 39-9408. Docket
94-ANE-31. Supersedes AD 90-14-06, Amendment 39-6640.
Applicability: Aerospace Lighting Corporation (ALC) lamp
connectors, Part Number (P/N) 31.85.1.A; Series 66 fluorescent
lamps; power units, P/N's TR-991, TR-992, AL-0546, and AL-0514; and
power supplies, P/N's 1895D and AL-0598. These products are utilized
in cabin fluorescent lighting systems, and are installed on, but not
limited to, the following aircraft: Airbus Industrie Model A310;
Avion Marcel Dassault Breguet Aviation Model Falcon 10; Boeing
Airplane Company Models 727, 737, 747, and 757; Raytheon Corporate
Jets, Inc. (formerly British Aerospace) Model HS. 125-600A, -700A, -
800A, and -1000A; Bombardier Inc. Canadair Ltd. Models CL-600-1A11,
CL-600-2A12, CL-600-2B16, CL-600-2B19, CL-601, CL-601-3A, CL-601-3R;
Cessna Aircraft Company Models 550 and 560; Dassault Aviation Models
Mystere-Falcon 20 and 50; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronauctica S/A
Model Embraer EMB-120; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Models G-
159, G-1159, G-1159A, and G-IV; Israel Aircraft Industrie, Ltd.
Models 1124 and 1125; Jetstream Aircraft, Ltd. Jetstream Model 310;
Learjet Corporation Models Learjet 35 and 36; Saab Aircraft AB Model
Saab 340A; and Sikorsky Aircraft Division Model S-76A.
Note: This airworthiness directive (AD) applies to each product
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 products 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 (e) to request approval from the
Federal Aviation Administration (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 product from the
applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent smoke, fire, electrical shock, and possible
electromagnetic interference caused by high voltage arcing in the
cabin which, if undetected, could result in personal hazard or loss
of the aircraft, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 30 calendar days of the effective date of this
airworthiness directive (AD), accomplish the following:
(1) Inspect the cabin fluorescent lighting system in accordance
with ALC Information Bulletin No. IB 90-001, dated August 15, 1992,
paragraph IV. ``Fluorescent Lighting System Components
Identification and Inspection Procedure,'' subparagraphs B.1, 2.,
3., 5., 6., and 7.
(2) After completing the inspection above in paragraph (a)(1) of
this AD, remove and replace any part(s) found to be damaged or
improperly configured in accordance with paragraph IV. B.4, 8., and
9., as required, of ALC Information Bulletin No. IB 90-001, dated
August 15, 1992.
(b) Within 5 flights or 10 flight hours, whichever occurs first,
of a cabin fluorescent lighting system components failure, repeat
the removal and replacement procedures of paragraph (a)(2) of this
AD.
(c) An alternative method of compliance with paragraphs (a)(1),
(a)(2), and (b) of this AD would be to turn the fluorescent lighting
system off and to placard the system to prevent unintentional
activation.
(d) Replacement of the following ALC parts, in accordance with
the following instructions, constitutes terminating action to the
inspections required by paragraph (b) of this AD. These actions are:
(1) Remove power units, P/N TR-991 or AL-0546, and replace with
protected power units, P/N AL-5117, in accordance with ALC
Installation Instruction (II) No. AL-11025M, dated March 15, 1992.
(2) Remove power units, P/N TR-992 or AL-0514, and replace with
protected power unit, P/N AL-5112, in accordance with ALC II No. AL-
11024M, dated March 15, 1992.
(3) Remove power supplies, P/N 18-95D or AL-0598 and dimmer, P/N
22-311 or AL-0542, and replace with protected power supply, P/N AL-
5118 or AL-5130, in accordance with ALC II No. AL-11023M, Revision
A, dated May 20, 1994.
(e) 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, New York Aircraft Certification
Office. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office.
Note: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative method of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the New York Aircraft Certification Office.
(f) 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 aircraft to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(g) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance
with the following service documents:
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Document No. Pages Revision Date
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ALC II AL-11023M............ 1-18.... A......... May 20, 1994.
Total pages: 18
ALC II AL-11024M............ 1-9..... Original.. March 15, 1992.
Total pages: 9
ALC II AL-11025M............ 1-9..... Original.. March 15, 1992.
Total pages: 9
ALC No. IB90-001............ 1....... Revision.. August 15, 1992.
2-8..... Original.. March 30, 1990.
9....... Revision.. August 15, 1992.
10-13... Original.. March 30, 1990.
Total pages: 13
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[[Page 55784]]
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of
the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Aerospace Lighting Corporation,
101-8 Colin Drive, Holbrook, NY 11741; telephone (516) 563-6400, fax
(516) 563-8781. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, New England
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England
Executive Park, Burlington, MA; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on December 4, 1995.
Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on October 11, 1995.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-26723 Filed 11-2-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U