[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 171 (Friday, September 1, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53201-53203]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-22305]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-273-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
DC-8 series airplanes. This proposal would require an inspection of the 
antifogging or heating wiring to detect chafing or damage, as 
applicable; inspection of the insulation blankets to detect damage; and 
repair, if necessary. This proposal also would require revising the 
clearview window heating wiring installations. This proposal is 
prompted by a report of an electrical short that resulted in damage to 
the antifogging circuit wiring and insulation blanket above the 
Captain's clearview window. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to prevent chafed and damaged wires as a result of a sharp 
bend and restricted space between the fuselage frame and the clearview 
window in the full open position, which could result in an electrical 
short, damage to the antifogging circuit wiring and insulation blanket, 
and consequent smoke and fire in the flight deck.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 16, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-273-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. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 99-NM-273-AD'' in the subject line and need not be 
submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach 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, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elvin Wheeler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5344; 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 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 99-NM-273-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. 99-NM-273-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    As part of its practice of re-examining all aspects of the service 
experience of a particular aircraft whenever an accident occurs, the 
FAA has become aware of a report of an electrical short that resulted 
in damage to the antifogging circuit wiring and insulation blanket 
above the Captain's clearview window on a McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8 
series airplane. The incident occurred when wires chafed and arced as a 
result of the sharp bend and restricted space between the fuselage 
frame and clearview window in the full open position. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in an electrical short, damage to the 
antifogging circuit wiring and insulation blanket, and consequent smoke 
and fire in the flight deck.

Other Related Rulemaking

    The FAA, in conjunction with Boeing and operators of Model DC-8 
series airplanes, is continuing to review all aspects of the service 
history of those airplanes to identify potential unsafe conditions and 
to take appropriate

[[Page 53202]]

corrective actions. This proposed AD is one of a series of actions 
identified during that process. The process is continuing and the FAA 
may consider additional rulemaking actions as further results of the 
review become available.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin DC8-30A032, Revision 02, dated September 21, 1999. The service 
bulletin describes procedures for a detailed visual inspection of the 
heating wiring (Group 1 airplanes) or antifogging wiring (Group 2 
airplanes) to detect chafing or damage, a general visual inspection of 
the insulation blankets to detect damage, and repair, if necessary. The 
service bulletin also describes procedures for revising the clearview 
window heating wiring conduit installations, including installation of 
certain tubes, grommets, and new terminals, as applicable. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin 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 accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 163 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 113 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed detailed visual 
inspections, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspections proposed AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $13,560, or $120 per airplane.
    The FAA also estimates that 54 airplanes of U.S. registry specified 
as ``Group 1'' in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC8-30A032, 
Revision 02, dated September 21, 1999, would be affected by this 
proposed AD, that it would take approximately 5 work hours per airplane 
to accomplish the proposed wiring revision. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the wiring revision proposed by this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $16,200, or $300 per airplane.
    The FAA also estimates that 59 airplanes of U.S. registry specified 
as ``Group 2'' in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC8-30A032, 
Revision 02, dated September 21, 1999, would be affected by this 
proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 work hours per airplane 
to accomplish the proposed wiring revision. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the wiring revision proposed by this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $14,160, or $240 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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. The cost impact figures 
discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to 
perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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 99-NM-273-AD.
    Applicability: Model DC-8-11, DC-8-12, DC-8-21, DC-8-31, DC-8-
32, DC-8-33, DC-8-41, DC-8-42, DC-8-43, DC-8-51, DC-8-52, DC-8-53, 
DC-88-55, DC-8F-54, DC-8F-55, DC-8-61, DC-8-61F, DC-8-62, DC-8-62F, 
DC-8-63, and DC-8-63F series airplanes, as listed in McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC8-30A032, Revision 02, dated 
September 21, 1999; 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 chafed and damaged wires as a result of a sharp bend 
and restricted space between the fuselage frame and the clearview 
window in the full open position, which could result in an 
electrical short, damage to the antifogging circuit wiring and 
insulation blanket, and consequent smoke and fire in the flight 
deck, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Modification

    (a) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a detailed visual inspection of the heating wiring (Group 1 
airplanes) or antifogging wiring (Group 2 airplanes) to detect 
chafing or damage, as applicable, perform a general visual 
inspection of the insulation blankets to detect damage, and revise 
the clearview window heating wiring conduit installation; in 
accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC8-30A032, 
Revision 02, dated September 21, 1999. If any damaged insulation 
blanket or wire is detected, or if any chafed wire is detected, 
prior to further flight, repair in accordance with the service 
bulletin.


[[Page 53203]]


    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''



    Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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. 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (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 August 25, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-22305 Filed 8-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P