[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 63 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16172-16174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8574]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-244-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 Series
Airplanes, and Model MD-88 and MD-90-30 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 McDonnell Douglas Model
DC-9-80 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 and MD-90-30 airplanes. This
proposal would require replacement of the lanyard assembly pins of the
evacuation slides with solid stainless steel pins. This proposal is
prompted by a report that, due to stress corrosion on the lanyard pins,
the arms of the lanyard assembly of the evacuation slide were found to
be frozen. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to
prevent the improper deployment of the evacuation slide due to such
stress corrosion, which could delay or impede evacuation of passengers
during an emergency.
DATES: Comments must be received by May 18, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-NM-244-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 The Boeing Company, Douglas Products Division, 3855
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical
Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). This
information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or the FAA, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,
California.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alan Sinclair, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712; telephone (562) 627-5338; fax (562) 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
[[Page 16173]]
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 97-NM-244-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-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 97-NM-244-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received a report indicating that, during a routine
maintenance inspection, the arms of the lanyard assembly of the
evacuation slide were found to be frozen on a McDonnell Douglas Model
DC-9-82 series airplane. Investigation revealed that stress corrosion
caused the pivot pin to swell and freeze the arms of the lanyard
assembly. This condition, if not detected and corrected in a timely
manner, could prevent the proper deployment of the evacuation slide,
which could delay or impede evacuation of passengers during an
emergency.
The subject area on certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-88 and MD-
90-30 airplanes is identical to that on the affected DC-9-80 series
airplane. Therefore, all of these airplanes may be subject to the same
unsafe condition.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service
Bulletin MD80-25A357, dated February 11, 1997 (for Model DC-9-80 series
airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes), and McDonnell Douglas Alert
Service Bulletin MD90-25A019, dated February 11, 1997 (for Model MD-90
airplanes). These alert service bulletins describe procedures for
replacement of the lanyard assembly pins with solid stainless steel
pins. Accomplishment of the replacement specified in the alert service
bulletins is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe
condition.
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 replacement of the lanyard assembly pins with
solid stainless steel pins. The actions would be required to be
accomplished in accordance with the alert service bulletins described
previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 680 McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 series
airplanes, and Model MD-88 and MD-90-30 airplanes of the affected
design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 339 airplanes of
U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take
approximately 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required
parts would cost approximately $2 per airplane. Based on these figures,
the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$102,378, or $302 per airplane.
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 97-NM-244-AD.
Applicability: Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83
(MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes,
as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-25A357,
dated February 11, 1997; and Model MD-90-30 airplanes, as listed in
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-25A019, dated February
11, 1997; 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) 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 the improper deployment of the evacuation slide,
which could delay or impede evacuation of passengers during an
emergency, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, replace
the lanyard assembly pins of the evacuation slides with solid
stainless steel pins, in accordance with McDonnell
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Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-25A357, dated February 11, 1997
(for Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes), or
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-25A-19, dated February
11, 1997 (for Model MD-90 airplanes); as applicable.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no lanyard assembly,
part number 3961899-1, shall be installed on any airplane unless
that assembly has been modified in accordance with the requirements
of paragraph (a) 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 2: 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 March 25, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8574 Filed 4-1-98; 8:45 am]
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