[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 26, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70684-70686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29805]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-84-AD; Amendment 39-12961; AD 2002-23-17]
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 all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 airplanes, that 
requires one-time inspections to detect discrepancies of electrical 
wiring installations in various areas of the airplane; and corrective 
actions, if necessary. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent electrical arcing and/or heat-damaged wiring due to improper 
wire installations or maintenance practices, which could result in fire 
and smoke in various areas of the airplane. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective December 31, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 21, 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 
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, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 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 all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-
30 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on June 12, 2002 (67 
FR 40249). That action proposed to require one-time inspections to 
detect discrepancies of electrical wiring installations in various 
areas of the airplane; 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 proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Explanation of Minor Changes to the Proposed AD

    Because the language in Notes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the 
proposed AD is regulatory in nature, those notes have been redesignated 
(and consolidated) as new paragraph (c) of this final rule. The 
remaining lettered paragraphs and Notes have been reidentified 
accordingly.
    The identity of each service bulletin in the proposed AD has been 
changed in this final rule from ``* * * including Appendix A'' to ``* * 
* excluding Appendix and Evaluation Form.'' The Appendix and Evaluation 
Form normally attached to the service bulletins are excluded because 
they do not contain information necessary to accomplish the 
requirements of this AD. Further, the Appendix was misidentified in the 
proposed AD as ``Appendix A.''

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule with the changes described previously. The FAA has determined that 
these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 115 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 25 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take

[[Page 70685]]

approximately 49 work hours per airplane to accomplish all of the 
inspections, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspections required by 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $73,500, or $2,940 per 
airplane. Warranty remedies may be available from the airplane 
manufacturer for labor costs associated with this AD. As a result, the 
costs attributable to the AD may be less than stated above.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD, 
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 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:

2002-23-17 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12961. Docket 2001-NM-84-
AD.
    Applicability: All Model MD-90-30 airplanes, 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 (d) 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.

    Note 2: The FAA recommends that the actions required by this AD 
be accomplished after the replacement of the metallized 
polyethyleneteraphthalate (MPET) insulation blankets required by AD 
2000-11-01, amendment 39-11749.

    To prevent electrical arcing and/or heat-damaged wiring due to 
improper wire installations or maintenance practices, which could 
result in fire and smoke in various areas of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:

One-Time Detailed Inspections

    (a) Within 5 years after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), 
(a)(3), (a)(4), (a)(5), (a)(6), and (a)(7) of this AD.
    (1) Do a one-time detailed inspection of all electrical wiring 
installations in the flight compartment and forward drop ceiling 
area, according to the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin MD90-24-066, excluding Appendix and Evaluation Form, 
Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001.

    Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''

    (2) Do a one-time detailed inspection of all electrical wiring 
installations in the electronic/electrical (E/E) compartment 
according to the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin MD90-24-067, excluding Appendix and Evaluation Form, 
Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001.
    (3) Do a one-time detailed inspection of all electrical wiring 
installations in the forward passenger compartment from stations 
Y=260.000 to Y=902.000 according to the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-068, excluding Appendix and 
Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001.
    (4) Do a one-time detailed inspection of all electrical wiring 
installations in the aft passenger compartment from stations 
Y=902.000 to Y=1395.000 according to the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-069, excluding Appendix and 
Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001.
    (5) Do a one-time detailed inspection of all electrical wiring 
installations in the forward and mid cargo compartments from 
stations Y=218.000 to Y=845.000 according to the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-070, excluding 
Appendix and Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001.
    (6) Do a one-time detailed inspection of all electrical wiring 
installations in the aft cargo compartment from stations Y=1064.000 
to Y=1369.000 according to the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Service Bulletin MD90-24-071, excluding Appendix and Evaluation 
Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001.
    (7) Do a one-time detailed inspection of all electrical wiring 
installations in the forward accessory compartment from stations 
Y=41.000 to Y=70.000 according to the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-072, excluding Appendix and 
Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001.

Corrective Action

    (b) If any discrepancy is detected during any inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD: Before further flight, 
accomplish the applicable corrective action(s) according to the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletins 
listed in paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(6), 
and (b)(7) of this AD. Corrective actions that may be necessary 
include repairing cracked, split, or torn wiring insulation; re-
attaching nylon (caterpillar) grommets; installing smaller-sized 
clamps; adjusting, replacing, or tightening sta-straps; 
repositioning certain wiring or clamps; tightening or securing 
clamps, terminals, or wire bundles; re-torquing screw terminals of 
the flag lug bus bar; repairing or replacing certain wiring, 
terminals, splices, or connectors; installing protective sleeving 
over wiring; and installing a silicone glass cloth over conduit 
ends.
    (1) Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-066, excluding Appendix and 
Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001.

[[Page 70686]]

    (2) Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-067, excluding Appendix and 
Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001.
    (3) Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-068, excluding Appendix and 
Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001.
    (4) Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-069, excluding Appendix and 
Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001.
    (5) Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-070, excluding Appendix and 
Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001.
    (6) Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-071, excluding Appendix and 
Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001.
    (7) Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-072, excluding Appendix and 
Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001.

    Note 4: The Appendix of the service bulletins referenced in 
paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), (b)(4), (b)(5), (b)(6), and 
(b)(7) of this AD contains a form to report inspection findings. 
This AD does NOT require such reports to be submitted to the FAA.

Credit for Previous Accomplishment per Earlier Service Bulletin Version

    (c) Inspections and corrective actions done before the effective 
date of this AD according to the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
applicable service bulletins listed in the following table are 
acceptable for compliance with the applicable paragraphs of this AD:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
McDonnell Douglas service bulletin    Applicable paragraphs of this AD
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MD90-24-066, excluding Appendix     (a)(1) and (b)(1)
 and Evaluation Form, dated July
 28, 2000.
MD90-24-067, excluding Appendix     (a)(2) and (b)(2)
 and Evaluation form, dated July
 28, 2000.
MD90-24-068, excluding Appendix     (a)(3) and (b)(3)
 and Evaluation Form, dated July
 28, 2000.
MD90-24-069, excluding Appendix     (a)(4) and (b)(4)
 and Evaluation Form, dated July
 28, 2000.
MD90-24-070, excluding Appendix     (a)(5) and (b)(5)
 and Evaluation Form, dated July
 28, 2000.
MD90-24-071, excluding Appendix     (a)(6) and (b)(6)
 and Evaluation Form, dated July
 28, 2000.
MD90-24-072, excluding Appendix     (a)(7) and (b)(7)
 and Evaluation Form, dated July
 28, 2000.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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

    (e) 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

    (f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-066, 
excluding Appendix and Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 
8, 2001; Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-067, excluding Appendix and 
Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001; Boeing Service 
Bulletin MD90-24-068, excluding Appendix and Evaluation Form, 
Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001; Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-
24-069, excluding Appendix and Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated 
February 8, 2001; Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-070, excluding 
Appendix and Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001; 
Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-071, excluding Appendix and 
Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001; and Boeing 
Service Bulletin MD90-24-072, excluding Appendix and Evaluation 
Form, Revision 01, dated February 8, 2001; as applicable. 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 ACO, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on December 31, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 14, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-29805 Filed 11-25-02; 8:45 am]
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