[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 182 (Friday, September 19, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54864-54866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-23938]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-306-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; and Model DC-9-81 
(MD-81) and DC-9-82 (MD-82) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas 
transport category airplanes, that currently requires an inspection for 
chafing and/or abrasion, repair if necessary, and modification of the 
power feeder cable installation. This action would require inspection 
for proper installation, damage, or abrasion of the power feeder cables 
and trough installations; proper installation of caterpillar grommets 
in the lightening holes; and repair if necessary. This action also 
would require modification of the power feeder cable installation and 
add airplanes to the applicability of the AD. The actions specified by 
the proposed AD are intended to prevent a possible loss of electrical 
bus power, which could result in a potential fire ignition source and 
consequent fire in the cabin. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 3, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-306-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. 2002-NM-306-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

[[Page 54865]]

statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 2002-NM-306-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-306-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On January 10, 1986, the FAA issued AD 85-25-06, amendment 39-5177 
(50 FR 49833, December 5, 1985), applicable to certain McDonnell 
Douglas Model DC-9 and C-9 (military) series airplanes, to require 
inspection of the power feeder cable installation, repair if necessary, 
and modification of the power feeder cable installation between the 
electrical power center and the respective generators. That action was 
prompted by reports of chafing and/or abrasion of the power feeder 
cables and six instances of shorted 1 power feeder cables. The chafing 
and/or abrasion was attributed to power feeder cables riding against 
bulkhead feedthroughs, floor panel clipnuts, and lightening holes in 
transition areas below floor level. The requirements of that AD are 
intended to eliminate a potential fire ignition source from the 
generator power feeder cable installation.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of that AD, the manufacturer has advised the FAA 
that additional airplanes have been identified that also may be subject 
to the identified unsafe condition.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) DC9-24A078, Revision 04, dated May 25, 2000, which 
describes procedures for a general visual inspection for damage such as 
sharp object penetration or abrasion damage of the power feeder cables, 
a general visual inspection of the power feeder cables, troughs and 
associated hardware for secure and proper installation, and repair if 
necessary. That ASB also describes procedures for installing grommets 
on all lightening holes where the power feeder cables pass through, and 
performing a generator control relay test on any repaired power feeder 
cables. For certain airplanes, that ASB also describes modification of 
the power feeder cable installation (including installing lightening 
hole grommets, replacing clipnuts with clipnuts specified in the ASB, 
as applicable, and performing a generator circuit relay test). 
Additionally, that ASB adds airplanes to the effectivity of the ASB. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the ASB 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 supersede AD 85-25-06 to require general visual 
inspections for proper installation, damage, or abrasion of the power 
feeder cables and trough installations; proper installation of 
caterpillar grommets in the lightening holes; and repair if necessary. 
For certain airplanes, this proposed AD would require modification, as 
described previously, of the power feeder cable installation. The 
actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the 
service bulletin described previously.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

    The FAA has revised the applicability of this proposed AD to 
reference the appropriate models as listed in the current published 
Type Certification Data Sheet.

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

Change to Labor Rate Estimate

    We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several 
years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various 
inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to 
increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work 
hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects 
this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 1,050 airplanes of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 475 airplanes of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
    The new actions that are proposed in this AD action would take 
approximately (depending on the applicable airplane group specified in 
the service bulletin) from 1 work hour per airplane to 25 work hours 
per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $65 per work 
hour. Certain airplane groups (1, 2, and 7) do not require parts. For 
certain other airplane groups (5 and 6), required parts would cost 
approximately $291 to $428 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed requirements of this AD on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be between $65 per airplane for certain airplane 
groups, and $2,053 per airplane for certain other airplane groups.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or proposed 
requirements of this AD action, 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 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.

[[Page 54866]]

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 removing amendment 39-5177 (50 FR 
49833, December 5, 1985), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 2002-NM-306-AD. Supersedes AD 85-25-06, 
Amendment 39-5177.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-11, DC-9-12, DC-9-13, DC-9-14, DC-9-
15, and DC-9-15F airplanes; Model DC-9-21 airplanes; Model DC-9-31, 
DC-9-32, DC-9-32 (VC-9C), DC-9-32F, DC-9-32F (C-9A and C-9B), DC-9-
33F, DC-9-34 and DC-9-34F airplanes; Model DC-9-41 airplanes; Model 
DC-9-51 airplanes; and Model DC-9-81 (MD-81) and DC-9-82 (MD-82) 
airplanes; as specified in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin 
DC9-24A078, Revision 04, dated May 25, 2000; certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent a possible loss of electrical bus power due to 
chafing and/or abrasion of the power feeder cable installation, 
which could result in a potential fire ignition source and 
consequent fire in the cabin; accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a general visual inspection for proper installation, damage (e.g., 
evidence of sharp object penetration), or abrasion of the power 
feeder cables and trough installations, and for proper installation 
of caterpillar grommets in the lightening holes; per the Work 
Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) DC9-
24A078, Revision 04, dated May 25, 2000.

    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.''


    Note 2: It is not necessary to inspect power feeder cables that 
are contained in conduit.

    (b) If any abrasion or damage is found on the power feeder 
cables and troughs or any improper installation of the caterpillar 
grommets in the lightening holes is detected during the inspections 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, before further flight, repair 
per the Work Instructions of McDonnell Douglas ASB DC9-24A078, 
Revision 04, dated May 25, 2000.
    (c) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the power feeder cable installation (including installing lightening 
hole grommets, replacing clipnuts with clipnuts specified in 
McDonnell Douglas ASB DC9-24A078, Revision 04, dated May 25, 2000, 
as applicable, and performing a generator circuit relay test), per 
the Work Instructions of McDonnell Douglas ASB DC9-24A078, Revision 
04, dated May 25, 2000.

Acceptable Methods of Compliance

    (d) Accomplishment of the actions specified in McDonnell Douglas 
DC-9 Service Bulletin 24-78, dated April 9, 1985; Revision 1, dated 
December 9, 1985; Revision 2, dated March 20, 1986; or Revision 3, 
dated July 17, 1987; before the effective date of this AD, is 
acceptable as a method of compliance with the requirements of this 
AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 15, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-23938 Filed 9-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P