[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 117 (Wednesday, June 18, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36523-36525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15337]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-171-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81 (MD-
81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) Airplanes 
and Model MD-88 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 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) 
airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes. This proposal would require a 
general visual inspection for chafing of the power feeder cables of the 
auxiliary power unit (APU), and repair if necessary. This proposal also 
would require replacement of a support bracket located on the left side 
of the lower cargo compartment with a new ``U'' shaped bracket. This 
action is necessary to prevent chafing of the power feeder cables of 
the APU, which could result in electrical arcing to adjacent structure 
and consequent fire in the airplane. This action is intended to address 
the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 4, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-171-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. 2000-NM-171-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: 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:
    [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 2000-NM-171-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. 2000-NM-171-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report indicating that the power feeder 
cables of the auxiliary power unit (APU) had chafed against a support 
bracket located in the forward lower cargo compartment of a Model MD-88 
airplane. Investigation revealed that a spacer that separates the cable 
from the bracket might have been inadvertently omitted during 
maintenance. This condition, if not corrected, could cause chafing of 
the power feeder cables of the APU, which could result in electrical 
arcing to adjacent structure and consequent fire in the airplane.

Other Related Rulemaking

    The FAA, in conjunction with Boeing and operators of Model MD-11 
and -11F airplanes, has reviewed all aspects of the service history of 
those airplanes

[[Page 36524]]

to identify potential unsafe conditions and to take appropriate 
corrective actions. This proposed airworthiness directive (AD) is one 
of a series of corrective actions identified during that process. We 
have previously issued several other ADs and may consider further 
rulemaking actions to address the remaining identified unsafe 
conditions.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD80-24A105, Revision 02, dated January 24, 2000, which 
describes procedures for inspecting for any chafed power feeder cables 
of the APU, and repairing if necessary. The alert service bulletin also 
describes procedures for replacing a support bracket for the power 
feeder cable on the left side of the lower cargo compartment between 
fuselage stations Y=218.000 and Y=237.000 with a new ``U'' shaped 
bracket. The new bracket will eliminate the need for a spacer and 
minimize the possibility of cable chafing and arcing.

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 alert 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 (AMOC). Because we have now included this material in part 
39, only the office authorized to approve AMOCs is identified in each 
individual AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 634 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 438 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 inspection and replacement 
of the bracket, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $147 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $90,666, or $207 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 2000-NM-171-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 
(MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, 
as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-24A105, 
Revision 02, dated January 24, 2000; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent chafing of the power feeder cables of the auxiliary 
power unit (APU), which could result in electrical arcing to 
adjacent structure and consequent fire in the airplane; accomplish 
the following:

No Reporting Requirement

    (a) Although the alert service bulletin referenced in this AD 
specifies to submit information to the manufacturer, this AD does 
not include such a requirement.

Inspection for Chafing

    (b) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, perform a 
general visual inspection for chafing of the power feeder cables of 
the auxiliary power unit, per McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD80-24A105, Revision 02, dated January 24, 2000.
    (1) If no chafing is detected, no further action is required by 
this paragraph.
    (2) If any chafing is detected, before further flight, repair 
the cable(s) per the alert service bulletin.

    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.''

Replacement of a Support Bracket

    (c) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the support bracket for the power feeder cable located on the left 
side of the lower cargo compartment between fuselage stations 
Y=218.000 and Y=237.000 with a new ``U'' shaped bracket.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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


[[Page 36525]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 12, 2003.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-15337 Filed 6-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P