[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 3 (Friday, January 4, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 505-507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-145]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-162-AD; Amendment 39-12582; AD 2001-26-16]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 
series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, that requires replacing 
the interface connectors of the cabin fluorescent lighting ballast in 
the wiring harness of the overhead stowage compartment with new 
connectors. In lieu of the required replacement, this AD requires 
adding interface seals to the existing interface connectors of the 
cabin fluorescent lighting ballast between certain stations and 
reidentifying the connector assemblies. 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: Effective February 8, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 8, 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; or 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-

[[Page 506]]

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-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes 
was published in the Federal Register on June 5, 2001 (66 FR 30097). 
That action proposed to require replacing the interface connectors of 
the cabin fluorescent lighting ballast in the wiring harness of the 
overhead stowage compartment with new connectors.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Support for the Proposed AD

    One commenter states that it does not own or operate the equipment 
affected by the referenced document, and therefore has no comments to 
offer. Another commenter notes that it does operate airplanes affected 
by the rule but has no comments regarding the AD as proposed.

Request for Use of Latest Revision

    One commenter requests that Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-
33A096, Revision 03, dated August 14, 2001, be an approved method of 
accomplishment for the replacement required by the proposed AD. The 
commenter states that Boeing is currently developing Revision 03 of the 
subject service bulletin, and that revision will provide instructions 
to install an interfacial seal into the existing ballast connectors, 
rather than requiring complete replacement of the connectors. The 
commenter notes that Boeing has indicated that Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD80-33A096, Revision 03, will provide a level of safety that 
is equivalent to the proposed connector replacement.
    The FAA concurs. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the FAA has 
reviewed and approved Revision 03 of Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) Alert 
Service Bulletin MD80-33A096, dated August 14, 2001. Revision 03 adds 
an option to add interface seals to the existing interface connectors 
of the cabin fluorescent lighting ballast between stations Y=218.000 to 
Y=1338.000 and reidentify the connector assemblies. No more work is 
necessary on airplanes changed as shown in Revision 02 of the service 
bulletin (which was referenced in the NPRM as the appropriate source of 
service information). We have revised the final rule to reference 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-33A096, Revision 03, dated August 
14, 2001, as the appropriate source of service information, and to 
include in paragraph (a) of the final rule the option discussed above. 
We also have revised the Cost Impact section of the final rule to 
include the cost estimate associated with the new option. In addition, 
we have revised Note 2 of the final rule to include Revision 02 of the 
subject service bulletin as an acceptable method of compliance with the 
requirements of this AD.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously 
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

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 
will be affected by this AD.
    In lieu of the required incorporation of interface seals, it will 
take approximately 15 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required replacement, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost approximately $510 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $1,410 per airplane.
    In lieu of the required replacement, it will take approximately 3 
work hours per airplane to accomplish the required incorporation of 
interface seals, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost approximately $300 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the incorporation required by this AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $480 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 ``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:

2001-26-16  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12582. Docket 2000-NM-
162-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series 
airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD80-33A096, Revision 03, dated August 14, 2001; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability

[[Page 507]]

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:

Replacement or Incorporation of Interface Seals

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the actions specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of 
this AD per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-33A096, Revision 03, 
dated August 14, 2001.
    (1) Replace the interface connectors of the cabin fluorescent 
lighting ballast in the wiring harness of the overhead stowage 
compartment with new connectors; or
    (2) Add interface seals to the existing interface connectors of 
the cabin fluorescent lighting ballast between stations Y=218.000 to 
Y=1338.000 and reidentify the connector assemblies.

    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; Revision 1, dated February 28, 1994; 
or Revision 02, dated November 1, 1999; 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 MB10R-6, 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 
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

    (e) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin MD80-33A096, Revision 03, dated August 14, 
2001. 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; or 
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

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on February 8, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 21, 2001.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-145 Filed 1-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U