[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 5, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30097-30099]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14004]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-162-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas 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 replacing the interface connectors of the 
cabin fluorescent lighting ballast in the wiring harness of the 
overhead stowage compartment with new connectors. This action is 
necessary to prevent electrical shorting and arcing due to the presence 
of water in the lighting ballast interface connectors, which could 
result in smoke in the 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-162-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-162-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must

[[Page 30098]]

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:

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.
    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 notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-162-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-162-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 incidents of smoke in the main cabin on certain 
McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series airplanes, 
and Model MD-88 airplanes. Investigation revealed the presence of water 
in the lighting ballast interface connectors, which can cause 
electrical shorts and arcing of the connectors. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in smoke in 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 MD80-33A096, Revision 02, dated November 1, 1999. The service 
bulletin describes procedures for replacing the interface connectors of 
the cabin fluorescent lighting ballast in the wiring harness of the 
overhead stowage compartment with new connectors. 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.

Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Referenced Service 
Bulletin

    Operators should note that, even though the effectivity listing of 
the referenced service bulletin only lists ``MD-80'' series airplanes, 
the manufacturer's fuselage numbers listed in the effectivity listing 
include Model MD-88 airplanes. Therefore, the applicability of the 
proposed AD includes Model MD-88 airplanes, as well as Model DC-9-81, -
82, -83, and -87 series airplanes.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 747 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 486 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
15 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
$510 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
inspections proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $685,260, 
or $1,410 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

[[Page 30099]]

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 2000-NM-162-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series 
airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas 
Alert Service Bulletin MD80-33A096, Revision 02, dated November 1, 
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 (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 electrical shorting and arcing due to the presence of 
water in the lighting ballast interface connectors, which could 
result in smoke in the main cabin, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the interface connectors of the cabin fluorescent lighting 
ballast in the wiring harness of the overhead stowage compartment 
with new connectors, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert 
Service Bulletin MD80-33A096, Revision 02, dated November 1, 1999.

    Note 2: Replacement of connectors prior to the effective date of 
this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas MD80 Service Bulletin 
33-96, dated December 15, 1993; or Revision 1, dated February 28, 
1994; is considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements 
of paragraph (a) of this AD.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
any connector, part number MB10R6, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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. 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 Angeles ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) 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. 01-14004 Filed 6-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U