[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 164 (Friday, August 23, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54597-54599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21506]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-277-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, DC-9-
20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 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

[[Page 54598]]

directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
DC-9-10, DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 series airplanes. This 
proposal would require a one-time inspection at a certain disconnect 
panel in the left forward cargo compartment to find contamination of 
electrical connectors and to determine if a dripshield is installed 
over the disconnect panel, and corrective actions if necessary. This 
action is necessary to find and fix contamination of certain electrical 
connectors and prevent future contamination of these connectors, which 
could cause electrical arcing that could result in a fire on the 
airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 7, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-277-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. 2001-NM-277-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: Technical Information: Elvin K. 
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.
    Other Information: Judy Golder, Airworthiness Directive Technical 
Editor/Writer; telephone (425) 687-4241, fax (425) 227-1232. Questions 
or comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following 
address: [email protected]. Questions or comments sent via the 
Internet as attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft 
Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.

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 2001-NM-277-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. 2001-NM-277-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report of electrical arcing that resulted in 
a fire on a McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-32 airplane. Investigation 
revealed that a connector at a disconnect panel at station Y=237.000 in 
the left forward cargo compartment was contaminated with what appeared 
to be blue water. Further investigation revealed that a dripshield 
should have been installed over the subject disconnect panel on 
airplanes equipped with forward lavatories. This condition, if not 
corrected, could cause electrical arcing that could result in a fire on 
the airplane.
    The subject area on certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, DC-9-
20, other DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 series airplanes is almost 
identical to that on the affected Model DC-9-32 airplane. Therefore, 
those airplanes may be subject to the same unsafe condition.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
DC9-24A190, Revision 01, dated November 21, 2001, which describes 
procedures for a one-time visual inspection at a disconnect panel at 
station Y=237.000 in the left forward cargo compartment to find 
evidence of contamination (e.g., staining or corrosion) of electrical 
connectors by blue water, and to determine if a dripshield is installed 
over the disconnect panel. The service bulletin also describes 
procedures for installation of a dripshield if one is not already 
installed. If any evidence of contamination is found, corrective action 
includes removing the connectors and installing new or serviceable 
connectors. 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 80 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 51 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

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inspection, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed inspection on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $3,060, 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:

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 2001-NM-277-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-11, DC-9-12, DC-9-13, DC-9-14, DC-9-
15, DC-9-15F, DC-9-21, DC-9-31, DC-9-32, DC-9-32 (VC-9C), DC-932F, 
DC-9-32F (C-9A, C-9B), DC-9-33F, DC-9-34, DC-9-34F, DC-9-41, and DC-
9-51 airplanes; listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, 
Revision 01, 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 find and fix contamination of certain electrical connectors 
and prevent future contamination of these connectors, which could 
cause electrical arcing and result in a fire on the airplane, 
accomplish the following:

One-Time Inspection and Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time general visual inspection of the disconnect panel 
at station Y=237.000 in the left forward cargo compartment to find 
evidence of contamination (e.g., staining or corrosion) of 
electrical connectors by blue water, and to determine if a 
dripshield is installed over the disconnect panel. Do this 
inspection according to the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 01, dated November 21, 
2001.
    (1) If no evidence of contamination of electrical connectors is 
found, and a dripshield is installed, no further action is required 
by this AD.
    (2) If any evidence of contamination of any electrical connector 
is found: Before further flight, remove each affected connector, and 
install a new or serviceable connector according to the service 
bulletin.
    (3) If no dripshield is installed over the disconnect panel: 
Before further flight, install a dripshield according to the service 
bulletin.

Previously Accomplished Inspections and Corrective Actions

    (b) Inspections and corrective actions accomplished before the 
effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin DC9-24A190, dated July 31, 2001, are considered acceptable 
for compliance with the corresponding action specified in 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 2: 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 August 19, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-21506 Filed 8-22-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P