[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30099-30101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14003]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-161-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81, -82, -
83, and -87 Series Airplanes, and Model MD-88 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-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes. 
This proposal would require a detailed visual inspection of certain 
wires to detect chafing and preload; repair, if necessary; and 
modification of certain wire assemblies. This action is necessary to 
prevent insufficient clearance between wire assemblies and the ice 
protection airduct and airstair door interlock rod, chafing, and 
consequent arcing of wire assemblies. Such arcing could result in 
damage to electronic equipment and adjacent structure, or cause the 
insulation blankets to ignite, which could result in smoke and fire in 
the flight deck and main cabin. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 20, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-161-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 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. 2000-NM-161-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: Data 
and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). This information may 
be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, 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:

[[Page 30100]]

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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-161-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. 2000-NM-161-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 instances of tripped circuit breakers, smoke, 
and odor of an electrical fire in the flight compartment or forward 
entrance area on certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 series 
airplanes (i.e., Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series airplanes, and 
Model MD-88 airplanes). Investigation revealed the cause to be chafed 
and burned wire assemblies in the electrical/electronics (E/E) 
compartment, left-side, between stations Y=148.000 and Y=160.000. The 
chafing and consequent arcing occurred between the air duct shroud of 
the strake ice protection system or airstair door interlock rod and 
adjacent wire assemblies. The chafing is caused by insufficient 
clearance between the wire assemblies and ice protection airduct and 
airstair door interlock rod. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in chafing and consequent arcing of wire assemblies. Such arcing 
could result in damage to electronic equipment and adjacent structure, 
or could cause the insulation blankets to ignite, which could result in 
smoke and fire in the flight deck and main cabin.

Other Related Rulemaking

    The FAA, in conjunction with Boeing and operators of McDonnell 
Douglas Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series airplanes, and Model 
MD-88 airplanes, is continuing to review all aspects of the service 
history of those airplanes to identify potential unsafe conditions and 
to take appropriate corrective actions. This proposed airworthiness 
directive (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 MD80-24A126, Revision 02, dated September 22, 1999, which 
describes procedures for a visual inspection of certain wires to detect 
chafing and preload; repair, if necessary; and modification of certain 
wire assemblies. The modification includes tying back wire bundles, and 
installing spacers and sta-straps. 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 1,037 Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 
series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 830 airplanes of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed 
detailed visual inspection, and that the average labor rate is $60 per 
work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection 
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $49,800, or $60 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 proposed 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 a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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.

[[Page 30101]]

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 2000-NM-161-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series 
airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes airplanes; as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-24A126, Revision 02, 
dated September 22, 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 smoke and fire in the flight deck and main cabin due 
to insufficient clearance between wire assemblies and the ice 
protection airduct and airstair door interlock rod, chafing, and 
consequent arcing of wire assemblies, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Modification

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a detailed visual inspection of wires runs in the electrical/
equipment compartment to detect chafing and preload against the 
airduct shroud assembly of the strake ice protection system and/or 
airstair door interlock rod between stations Y=148.00 and Y=160.000, 
in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-
24A126, Revision 02, dated September 22, 1999.

    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.''

    (1) If no chafed or preloaded wire is found, prior to further 
flight, install spacers, sta-straps, and tie back wire bundles, in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (2) If any chafed or preloaded wire is found, prior to further 
flight, repair, and install spacers, sta-straps, and tie-back wire 
bundles, in accordance with the service bulletin.

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

Special Flight Permit

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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 May 25, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-14003 Filed 6-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U