[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 12, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64132-64133]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30192]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-294-AD; Amendment 39-12533; AD 2001-24-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -
30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes and C-9 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 DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, 
and -50 series airplanes and C-9 airplanes. This AD requires an 
inspection to detect chafing or damage at the conduit and support 
bracket interface in the forward electrical power center (EPC); and 
repair or replacement of wires with new wires, if necessary. For 
certain airplanes, this AD also requires installation of grommets on 
the conduits of the forward EPC. These actions are necessary to prevent 
chafing of electrical cables in the forward EPC and a possible short 
within a conduit, which could result in smoke and fire in the cockpit. 
These actions are intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective January 16, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 16, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; at the FAA, 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: 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: 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 
DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series airplanes and C-9 (military) 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 23, 2001 (66 FR 
38176). That action proposed to require an inspection to detect chafing 
or damage at the conduit and support bracket interface in the forward 
electrical power center (EPC); and repair or replacement of wires with 
new wires, if necessary. For certain airplanes, that action also 
proposed to require installation of grommets on the conduits of the 
forward EPC.

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.

Request To Withdraw the Proposed AD

    The Air Transport Association (ATA) of America, on behalf of its 
members, recommends that the FAA withdraw the proposed AD. The ATA 
notes that its members generally do not agree that the proposed AD is 
needed. One ATA member observes (in a member comment attached to the 
ATA's comment) that it has accomplished the work described in the 
referenced service bulletin and found that the metal edge of the 
conduit is smooth and does not pose a potential chafing hazard on its 
airplanes. The member states that the only incident of chafing occurred 
during a maintenance check, not in the course of normal fleet 
operations.
    The FAA does not concur with the request to withdraw the proposed 
rule. Though the commenter asserts that this AD is unnecessary because 
there have been no incidents during normal fleet operation, we find 
that the potential for such chafing exists, as shown by the report of a 
chafed electrical cable in the forward EPC which we described in the 
proposed AD. Such chafing may occur during maintenance or operations. 
This AD addresses that potential unsafe condition. No change to the 
final rule is necessary.

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 403 Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 
series airplanes and C-9 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 380 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD.
    For all airplanes, it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection, at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
this inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $22,800, or $60 
per airplane.
    For airplanes subject to the modification requirement of this AD, 
it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the 
modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of this modification is estimated to be 
$60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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. 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 adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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

[[Page 64133]]

``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:

2001-24-16  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12533. Docket 99-NM-294-
AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series 
airplanes and C-9 airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert 
Service Bulletin DC9-24A115, Revision 01, dated April 24, 2000; 
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 chafing of the electrical cables in the forward 
electrical power center (EPC) and a possible short within a conduit, 
which could result in smoke and fire in the cockpit, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection; Corrective Action, if Necessary; and Installation of 
Grommets, if Applicable

    (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable, per McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A115, 
Revision 01, dated April 24, 2000.
    (1) For Groups 1 and 2 airplanes identified in the service 
bulletin: Do a general visual inspection to detect chafing or damage 
at the conduit and support bracket interface in the forward EPC. If 
any chafing or damage is detected, before further flight, repair or 
replace wires with new wires, per the service bulletin.

    Note 2: 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.''

    (2) For Group 1 airplanes identified in the service bulletin: 
Install grommets on the conduits of the forward EPC.

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 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A115, Revision 01, dated April 
24, 2000. 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 Boeing Commercial 
Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long 
Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, 
Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; at the FAA, 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.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 16, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 28, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30192 Filed 12-11-01; 8:45 am]
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