[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 9, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1169-1171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-456]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-164-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81, -82, 
and -83 Series Airplanes, and Model MD-88 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
DC-9-81, -82, and -83 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes. This 
proposal would require an inspection of the electrical power feeder 
cables in the aft cargo compartment sidewall for chafing and/or 
preloading, and corrective actions, if necessary. This action is 
necessary to prevent possible arcing of the electrical power cables in 
the aft cargo compartment sidewall and consequent damage to equipment 
and the adjacent structure, which could result in smoke and/or fire in 
the cargo compartment. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 25, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-164-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-164-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-

[[Page 1170]]

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, 
Airframe 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 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-164-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-164-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report indicating that chafed electrical 
power feeder cables in the aft cargo compartment sidewall were found 
during a ``C'' check on a McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-82 series 
airplane. Investigation has revealed that cables rubbing against a 
floor support cutout due to a preload condition was the cause. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in possible arcing of the 
electrical power feeder cables in the aft cargo compartment sidewall 
and consequent damage to equipment and the adjacent structure, which 
could result in smoke and/or fire in the cargo compartment.
    The existing design of the electrical power feeder cables on 
certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81 and -83 series airplanes, and 
Model MD-88 airplanes is identical to that on the affected Model DC-9-
82 series airplanes. Therefore, all of these models may be subject to 
the same unsafe condition.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD80-24A124, Revision 01, dated August 24, 2000. The service 
bulletin describes procedures for a one-time general visual inspection 
of the electrical power feeder cables on each side of the floor support 
strut at station Y=1231.000 for chafing and preloading against the 
adjacent floor support cutout, and corrective actions, if necessary. 
The corrective actions include repairing the cables; installing a shim 
on the bracket; and repositioning the cables; as applicable. 
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 112 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 57 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 
estimated to be $3,420, 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.

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:

[[Page 1171]]

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-164-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-81, -82, and -83 series airplanes, and 
Model MD-88 airplanes; certificated in any category; as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-24A124, Revision 01, 
dated August 24, 2000.

    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 possible arcing of the electrical power cables in the 
aft cargo compartment sidewall and consequent damage to equipment 
and the adjacent structure, which could result in smoke and/or fire 
in the cargo compartment, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Corrective Action, if Necessary

    (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, perform a 
general visual inspection of the electrical power feeder cables on 
each side of the floor support strut at station Y=1231.00 for 
chafing and preloading against the adjacent floor support cutout, in 
accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-
24A124, dated Revision 01, dated August 24, 2000.

    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: Accomplishment of the actions required by this AD, 
before the effective date of this AD, in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 24-124, dated September 26, 1991, is 
considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this 
AD.

    (1) Condition 1. If no chafing and preloading of the electrical 
power feeder cables are found, no further action is required by this 
AD.
    (2) Condition 2. If any chafing of the electrical power feeder 
cable is found, before further flight, repair the cable, install a 
shim on the bracket, and reposition the cable; in accordance with 
the service bulletin.
    (3) Condition 3. If any preloading of the electrical power 
feeder cable is found, before further flight, install a shim on the 
bracket and reposition the cable, 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Manager, 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 2, 2002.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-456 Filed 1-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P