[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 166 (Thursday, August 27, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45687-45689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22820]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-136-AD; Amendment 39-10719; AD 98-18-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 series 
airplanes, that requires modification of the wiring of the strake ice 
protection system (SIPS). This amendment is prompted by a report of a 
fire in the electrical and electronic compartment of a Model MD-90-30 
series airplane. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent an electrical short circuit of the wiring of the SIPS, which 
could result in a fire in the electrical and electronic compartment of 
the airplane.

DATES: Effective October 1, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 1, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules

[[Page 45688]]

Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Y. Mabuni, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5341; 
fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
MD-90-30 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 
28, 1998 (63 FR 29155). That action proposed to require modification of 
the wiring of the strake ice protection system (SIPS).

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 66 Model MD-90-30 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 23 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 15 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
The cost of required parts will be minimal. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $20,700, or 
$900 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 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 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

98-18-03  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-10719. Docket 98-NM-136-
AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-90-30 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-30A021, dated March 
31, 1998; 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 (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 an electrical short circuit of the wiring of the 
strake ice protection system (SIPS), which could result in a fire in 
the electrical and electronic compartment of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the wiring of the SIPS and perform a resistance test of the 
electrical insulation in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert 
Service Bulletin MD90-30A021, dated March 31, 1998. If any strake 
heating wiring fails the resistance test, prior to further flight, 
replace the discrepant wiring with new wiring, and repeat the 
resistance test, in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
    (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, 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.
    (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.
    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-30A021, dated March 31, 1998. 
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 The Boeing Company, Douglas Products 
Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, 
Attention: Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-
L51 (2-60). Copies may be inspected 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on October 1, 1998.


[[Page 45689]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 19, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-22820 Filed 8-26-98; 8:45 am]
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