[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 52 (Monday, March 18, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11952-11954]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6331]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-36-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -30, 
and -40 Series Airplanes and C-9 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas 
Model DC-9-10, -30, and -40 series airplanes and C-9 airplanes, that 
currently requires an inspection to detect chafing of the wiring of the 
attendants' work light of the aft cabin, and repair of chafed wiring. 
That AD also requires modification and reidentification of the 
attendants' work light assemblies of the aft cabin. This action would 
require revising the applicability of the existing AD to add certain 
airplanes and to remove certain other airplanes. The actions specified 
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent chafing of the ground wire 
against the positive contact of the lamp of the attendants' work light 
of the aft cabin, and consequent arcing or arcing damage to the wiring 
of the attendants' work light and transformer of the aft cabin. Such 
arcing or arcing damage could result in short circuits and consequent 
smoke and fire in the aft cabin area. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 2, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-36-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. 2002-NM-36-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, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 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 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 2002-NM-36-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. 2002-NM-36-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On November 28, 2001, the FAA issued AD 2001-24-15, amendment 39-
12532 (66 FR 64133, December 12, 2001), applicable to certain McDonnell 
Douglas Model DC-9-10, -30, and -40 series airplanes and C-9 airplanes, 
to require an inspection to detect chafing of the wiring of the 
attendants' work light of the aft cabin, and repair of chafed wiring. 
That AD also requires modification and reidentification of the 
attendants' work light assemblies of the aft cabin. The requirements of 
that AD are intended to prevent chafing of the ground wire against the 
positive contact of the lamp of the attendants' work light of the aft 
cabin, and consequent arcing or arcing damage to the wiring of the 
attendants' work light and transformer of the aft cabin. Such arcing or 
arcing damage could result in short circuits and consequent smoke and 
fire in the aft cabin area.

[[Page 11953]]

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Since the issuance of that AD, the FAA has reviewed and approved 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9-33A058, Revision 03, dated 
November 21, 2001. Revision 03 revises the effectivity of the service 
bulletin by adding certain airplanes and removing certain other 
airplanes. No additional work is required by Revision 03 for airplanes 
previously modified by prior issues of the service bulletin.

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 supersede AD 2001-24-15 to revise the applicability 
of the AD and to continue to require an inspection to detect chafing of 
the wiring of the attendants' work light of the aft cabin, and repair 
of chafed wiring. The proposed AD also would continue to require 
modification and reidentification of the attendants' work light 
assemblies of the aft cabin.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 176 Model DC-9-10, -30, and -40 series 
airplanes and C-9 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide 
fleet. The FAA estimates that 278 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 2001-24-15 take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $16,680, or $60 per airplane.
    This proposed AD does not add any new actions or requirements, and 
only revises the applicability of the AD by adding certain airplanes 
and removing certain other airplanes. Therefore, the estimated cost 
impact for this proposed AD is unchanged from the existing AD.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 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 removing amendment 39-12532 (66 FR 
64133, December 12, 2001), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 2002-NM-36-AD. Supersedes AD 2001-24-15, 
Amendment 39-12532.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-10, -30, and -40 series airplanes and 
C-9 airplanes, equipped with an attendants'' work light in the aft 
cabin; certificated in any category; as listed in McDonnell Douglas 
Alert Service Bulletin DC9-33A058, Revision 03, dated November 21, 
2001, 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 arcing or arcing damage to the wiring of the 
attendants' work light of the aft cabin due to chafing of the ground 
wire against the positive contact of the lamp of the attendants' 
work light and transformer of the aft cabin, which could result in 
short circuits and consequent smoke and fire in the aft cabin area, 
accomplish the following:

    Note 2: Paragraph (a) of this AD merely restates the 
requirements of paragraph (a) AD 2001-24-15, amendment 39-12532. As 
allowed by the phrase, ``unless accomplished previously,'' if those 
requirements of AD 2001-24-15 have already been accomplished, this 
AD does not require that those actions be repeated.

Restatement of AD 2001-24-15

    (a) For airplanes listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin DC9-33A058, Revision 02, dated January 27, 2000: Within 1 
year after January 16, 2002 (the effective date of AD 2001-24-15, 
amendment 39-12532), do the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) 
and (a)(2) of this AD, per McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin 
DC9-33A058, Revision 02, dated January 27, 2000.
    (1) Do a general visual inspection to detect chafing of the 
wiring of the attendants' work light of the aft cabin. If any 
chafing is detected, before further flight, repair chafed wiring per 
the service bulletin.

    Note 3: 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 droplight, 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) Modify and reidentify the attendants' work light assemblies 
of the aft cabin.

New Requirements of This AD

    (b) For airplanes as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin DC9-33A058, Revision 03, dated November 21, 2001: Within 1 
year after the effective date of this AD, do the actions specified 
in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD, per McDonnell Douglas 
Alert Service Bulletin DC9-33A058, Revision 03, dated November 21, 
2002.

[[Page 11954]]

    (1) Do a general visual inspection to detect chafing of the 
wiring of the attendants' work light of the aft cabin. If any 
chafing is detected, before further flight, repair chafed wiring per 
the service bulletin.
    (2) Modify and reidentify the attendants' work light assemblies 
of the aft cabin.

    Note 4: Inspections, repairs, modifications, and 
reidentifications done before the effective date of this AD per 
McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-33-058, dated June 5, 1973; 
Revision 1, dated November 26, 1975; or Revision 02, dated January 
27, 2000; are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of this AD.

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 5: 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 March 11, 2002.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-6331 Filed 3-15-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U