[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 3 (Friday, January 4, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 534-536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-202]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-400-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 Series 
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 MD-90-30 
series airplanes. This proposal would

[[Page 535]]

require inspection of the power feeder cables on the left and right 
side of the aft cargo compartment between certain stations for minimum 
clearance from the adjacent structure and for the presence of a grommet 
in the lightening hole through the floor cusp, and corrective actions, 
if necessary. This action is necessary to detect and correct inadequate 
clearance of the power feeder cables on the left and right side of the 
aft cargo compartment, the lack of a grommet in the lightening hole 
through the floor cusp, and improper installation of the cabin sidewall 
grill during production. These conditions could lead to chafing of the 
power feeder cables, resulting in electrical arcing and possibly in a 
fire in the cargo compartment of the airplane. This action is intended 
to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 19, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-400-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. 2000-NM-400-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: George Mabuni, Senior Aerospace 
Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5341; 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 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-400-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 Number 2000-NM-400-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report indicating that on McDonnell Douglas 
MD-90-30 series airplanes, there is a potential for the power feeder 
cables of the aft cargo compartment to contact the lightening hole 
through the floor cusp between certain stations on the left and right 
sides of the airplane. Analysis indicates that the cabin sidewall grill 
may not have been properly installed during production and a grommet 
may not have been installed in the lightening hole, leaving inadequate 
clearance between the power feeder cables and the lightening hole and 
forcing the cables to ride hard against the outboard edge of the 
lightening hole. These conditions, if not corrected, could lead to 
chafing of the power feeder cables of the aft cargo compartment, 
resulting in electrical arcing and possibly in a fire in the cargo 
compartment of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD90-24A025, Revision 01, dated January 11, 2000, which 
describes procedures for a general visual inspection of the power 
feeder cables of the left and right sides of the aft cargo compartment 
between stations Y=1344 and Y=1364. The inspection is to verify that 
the minimum clearance exists between the power feeder cables and the 
adjacent structure and that a grommet has been installed in the 
lightening hole through the floor cusp. The service bulletin also 
describes procedures for the following corrective actions, if 
necessary:
     Installation of the grommet if it is missing,
     Re-positioning of the power feeder cables to achieve the 
minimum clearance from the adjacent structure,
     Inspection of the power feeder cables for damage,
     Repair of any damaged power feeder cable, * Fabrication of 
trim, and
     Modification of the retainer assembly of the cabin 
sidewall grill.

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 16 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 14 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 inspection, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is

[[Page 536]]

estimated to be $840, 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. However, the FAA has 
been advised that manufacturer warranty remedies are available for 
labor costs associated with accomplishing the actions required by this 
proposed AD. Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on 
U.S. operators may be less than the cost impact figure indicated above. 
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.

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-400-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-90-30 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A025, Revision 01, 
dated January 11, 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 (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 detect and correct inadequate clearance of the power feeder 
cables on the left and right side of the aft cargo compartment, the 
lack of a grommet in the lightening hole through the floor cusp, and 
improper installation of the cabin sidewall grill, which could lead 
to chafing of the power feeder cables, resulting in electrical 
arcing and possibly in a fire in the cargo compartment of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within one year after the effective date of this AD: Perform 
a general visual inspection of the power feeder cable installation 
on the left and right sides of the aft cargo compartment between 
stations Y=1344.000 and Y=1364.000 for the minimum clearance between 
the power feeder cables and the adjacent structure and for grommet 
installation, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD90-24A025, Revision 01, dated January 11, 2000. If the 
inspection reveals that adequate clearance exists and a grommet is 
installed, no further action is required.

    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.''


    Note 3: Inspections and repairs accomplished prior to the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas 
Service Bulletin MD90-24-025, dated July 31, 1996, are considered 
acceptable for compliance with the applicable actions specified in 
this amendment.

Corrective Action, If Necessary

    (b) Subsequent to the inspection required by paragraph (a) of 
this AD and prior to further flight, perform the actions described 
in paragraph (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b)(4) of this AD as 
applicable, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD90-24A025, Revision 01, dated January 11, 2000.
    (1) If minimum clearance exists and if a grommet is not 
installed: Install a grommet.
    (2) If minimum clearance does not exist and if a grommet is 
installed: Conduct a general visual inspection of the power feeder 
cables for damage, repair any damaged cable, and re-position the 
cables inboard to achieve minimum clearance.
    (3) If minimum clearance does not exist and if a grommet is not 
installed: Conduct a general visual inspection of the power feeder 
cables for damage, repair any damaged cable, install a grommet, and 
re-position cables inboard to achieve minimum clearance.
    (4) If minimum clearance does not exist but cannot be 
accomplished or a hard riding condition exists: Conduct a general 
visual inspection of the power feeder cables for damage; repair any 
damaged cable; fabricate trim; install a grommet, if necessary; 
position power feeder cables to achieve the minimum clearance; and 
modify the retainer assembly of the cabin sidewall grill.

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 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

    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 28, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-202 Filed 1-3-02; 8:45 am]
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