[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 112 (Wednesday, June 11, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34849-34851]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14674]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-103-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 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 
MD-90-30 airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time general 
visual inspection of the circuit breakers to determine if discrepant 
circuit breakers are installed, and corrective action if necessary. 
This action is necessary to prevent internal overheating and arcing of 
circuit breakers and airplane wiring due to long-term use and breakdown 
of internal components of the circuit breakers, which could result in 
smoke and fire in the flight compartment and main cabin. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 28, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-103-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.

[[Page 34850]]

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-103-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 or 2000 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: George Mabuni, 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:

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:
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] 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-103-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-103-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    As part of its practice of re-examining all aspects of the service 
experience of a particular aircraft whenever an accident occurs, the 
FAA has become aware of incidents of smoke and electrical odor in the 
flight compartment and cabin area of McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81, -
82, and -83 airplanes. Investigation revealed that long-term use and 
breakdown of the internal components of circuit breakers manufactured 
by Wood Electric Corporation or Wood Electric Division of Potter 
Brumfield Corporation contributed to internal overheating and arcing of 
the circuit breakers. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
smoke and fire in the flight compartment and main cabin.
    Although no Model MD-90-30 airplanes were delivered with circuit 
breakers manufactured by Wood Electric Corporation or Wood Electric 
Division of Potter Brumfield Corporation, they may have been installed 
during maintenance. Therefore, these models may be subject to this same 
unsafe condition.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
MD90-24A081, Revision 01, dated March 7, 2003. (The original issue of 
the service bulletin specified installation of incorrect circuit 
breakers for the Wood Electric circuit breakers, if installed.) 
Revision 01 of the service bulletin describes procedures for a one-time 
visual inspection to determine if discrepant circuit breakers are 
installed (includes circuit breakers manufactured by Wood Electric and 
Wood Electric Division of Potter Brumfield Corporations, and incorrect 
circuit breakers installed per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD90-
24A081, dated February 14, 2002), and replacement of any discrepant 
circuit breaker with a new, approved circuit breaker. Accomplishment of 
the actions specified in Revision 01 of 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 
Revision 01 of the service bulletin described previously.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the Proposed AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance. Because we have now included this material in part 39, we 
no longer need to include it in each individual AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 126 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 21 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
20 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection of the 
circuit breakers (over 700 installed on each airplane), 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 
$25,200, or $1,200 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,

[[Page 34851]]

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 2002-NM-103-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-90-30 airplanes, as listed in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A081, Revision 01, dated March 7, 
2003; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent internal overheating and arcing of circuit breakers 
and airplane wiring due to long-term use and breakdown of internal 
components of the circuit breakers, which could result in smoke and 
fire in the flight compartment and main cabin, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection and Replacement

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Perform a one-time general visual inspection of the circuit breakers 
to determine if discrepant circuit breakers are installed (includes 
circuit breakers manufactured by Wood Electric and Wood Electric 
Division of Brumfield Potter Corporations, and incorrect circuit 
breakers installed per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A081, 
dated February 14, 2002), per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD90-
24A081, Revision 01, dated March 7, 2003.

    Note 1: 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 from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. 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.''

    (1) If no discrepant circuit breaker is found: No further action 
is required by this paragraph.
    (2) If any discrepant circuit breaker is found: Before further 
flight, replace the circuit breaker with a new, approved circuit 
breaker, per the service bulletin.

Part Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a circuit breaker manufactured by Wood Electric Corporation or Wood 
Electric Division of Potter Brumfield Corporation on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 5, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-14674 Filed 6-10-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P