[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 2, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15473-15475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7412]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-400-AD; Amendment 39-12691; AD 2002-06-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 
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 MD-90-30 airplanes. This action 
requires 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. The actions specified by this AD are intended 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: Effective May 7, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 7, 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

[[Page 15474]]

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: 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: 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 MD-90-30 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 4, 2002 (67 
FR 534). That action proposed to require inspection of the power feeder 
cables on the left and right sides 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.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the 
public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 16 McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 14 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this 
AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to 
accomplish the required inspection, and that the average labor rate is 
$60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is 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 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:

2002-06-13  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12691. Docket 2000-NM-
400-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-90-30 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 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

    (b) Subsequent to the inspection required by paragraph (a) of 
this AD, and prior to

[[Page 15475]]

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 between the power feeder cables 
and the adjacent structure, 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 the cables inboard to achieve minimum clearance.
    (4) If minimum clearance cannot be achieved 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A025, Revision 01, dated 
January 11, 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; 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 May 7, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 21, 2002.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-7412 Filed 4-1-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P