[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 5, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56919-56921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-28321]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-124-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 and Model
DC-9-80 Series Airplanes, Model MD-88 Airplanes, and C-9 (Military)
Series Airplanes Equipped With BFGoodrich Evacuation Slides
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 McDonnell Douglas Model
DC-9 and Model DC-9-80 series airplanes, Model MD-88 airplanes, and C-9
(military) series airplanes. This proposal would require modification
of the girt and firing lanyard stowage. This proposal is prompted by
reports of in-cabin inflation of certain evacuation slides due to the
impingement of the galley service cart on the slide girt and firing
lanyard. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to
prevent inadvertent inflation of the evacuation slides inside the
cabin, which could contribute to injury of passengers and/or flightcrew
in the passenger cabin.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 16, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-124-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 BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation Systems,
Department 7916, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. This information may be
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracy Ton, Aerospace Engineer, Systems
and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone
(310) 627-5352; 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 96-NM-124-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. 96-NM-124-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received several reports of certain BFGoodrich
evacuation slides installed on McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 series
airplanes inadvertently inflating inside the passenger cabin. The
[[Page 56920]]
cause of these in-cabin inflations is the impingement of the galley
service cart on the slide girt and firing lanyard of the evacuation
slide. Such an impingement can snag the firing lanyard (or handle),
and, consequently, fire the slide when the cart is moved. This
condition, if not corrected, could contribute to injury of passengers
and/or flightcrew in the passenger cabin.
The BFGoodrich evacuation slides installed on Model DC-9 series
airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes are identical to those installed on
the affected Model DC-9-80 series airplanes. Therefore, all of these
models may be subject to this same unsafe condition.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-
280, Revision 2, dated August 15, 1996, which describes procedures for
modification of the girt and firing lanyard stowage. The modification
provides a cover for the firing lanyards, changes the firing lanyard
handle shape, and ensures consistent folding of the girt when the girt
bar is installed in the floor fittings (armed condition) of the
airplane.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
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 modification of the girt and firing lanyard
stowage. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance
with the service bulletin described previously.
Explanation of the Applicability of the Proposed Rule
Operators should note that the applicability of this proposed rule
affects certain McDonnell Douglas series airplanes that are equipped
with certain BFGoodrich evacuation slides. The FAA's general policy is
that, when an unsafe condition results from the installation of an
appliance or other item that is installed in only one particular make
and model of aircraft, the AD is issued so that it is applicable to the
aircraft, rather than the item. The reason is simple: Making the AD
applicable to the airplane model on which the item is installed ensures
that operators of those airplanes will be notified directly of the
unsafe condition and the action required to correct it. While it is
assumed that an operator will know the models of the airplanes that it
operates, there is a potential that the operator will not know or be
aware of specific items that are installed on its airplanes. It is for
this reason that this proposed AD would be applicable to Model DC-9 and
Model DC-9-80 series airplanes, Model MD-88 airplanes, and C-9
(military) series airplanes, rather than to the BFGoodrich evacuation
slides. Additionally, calling out the airplane model as the subject of
the AD prevents ``unknowing non-compliance'' on the part of the
operator.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 300 BFGoodrich evacuation slides installed
on 100 McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 and Model DC-9-80 series airplanes,
Model MD-88 airplanes, and C-9 (military) series airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet.
The FAA estimates that 180 BFGoodrich evacuation slide installed on
60 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD,
that it would take approximately 2 work hours per slide to accomplish
the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work
hour. Required parts would cost approximately $75 per forward slide and
$100 per aft slide. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $195 per forward slide
and $220 per aft slide.
The 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.
Regulatory Impact
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), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
McDonnell Douglas: Docket 96-NM-124-AD.
Applicability: Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series
airplanes; Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83),
DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplanes, Model MD-88 airplanes; and C-9
(military) series airplanes; equipped with BFGoodrich Evacuation
Slides, as listed in BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-280, Revision 2,
dated August 15, 1996; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent in-cabin inflation of the evacuation slides, which
could contribute to injury of passengers and/or flightcrew in the
passenger cabin, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the girt and firing lanyard stowage in accordance with BFGoodrich
Service Bulletin 25-280, Revision 2, dated August 15, 1996.
(b) 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, Standardization Branch, ANM-113,
FAA,
[[Page 56921]]
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,
Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Standardization Branch, ANM-113.
(c) 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 October 29, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-28321 Filed 11-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U