[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 3, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9932-9934]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4561]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-32-AD; Amendment 39-13502; AD 2004-05-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-31 and DC-
9-32 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

[[Page 9933]]


ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-31 and DC-9-32 
airplanes, that requires replacement of certain power relays, and 
subsequent repetitive cleaning, inspecting, repairing, and testing of 
certain replaced power relays. This action is necessary to prevent 
internal arcing of the left and right generator power relays, auxiliary 
power relays, and external power relays, and consequent smoke and/or 
fire in the cockpit and cabin. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective April 7, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 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: 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: 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 certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
DC-9-31 and DC-9-32 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
October 29, 2003 (68 FR 61637). That action proposed to require 
replacement of certain power relays, and subsequent repetitive 
cleaning, inspecting, repairing, and testing of certain replaced power 
relays.

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.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 4 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 2 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $260, or 
$130 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-05-08 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13502. Docket 2003-NM-32-
AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-31 airplanes having manufacturer's 
fuselage numbers 1039 and 1046, and Model DC-9-32 airplanes having 
manufacturer's fuselage numbers 0268 and 0505; certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent internal arcing of the left and right generator power 
relays, auxiliary power relays, and external power relays, and 
consequent smoke and/or fire in the cockpit and cabin, accomplish 
the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time inspection of the left and right generator power 
relays, auxiliary power relays, and external power relays, to 
determine if Sundstrand (Westinghouse) part number (P/N) 914F567-3 
or -4 is installed, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A191, 
Revision 02, dated January 7, 2003.

Replacement or Modification/Reidentification of Any Generator Power 
Relay, Auxiliary Power Relay, or External Power Relay, P/N 914F567-3

    (b) If any generator power relay, auxiliary power relay, or 
external power relay, Sundstrand (Westinghouse) P/N 914F567-3, is 
found installed during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of 
this AD, within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, do 
either action specified in paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD per 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
DC9-24A191, Revision 02, dated January 7, 2003.
    (1) Replace the power relay having Sundstrand (Westinghouse) P/N 
914F567-3 with either a serviceable power relay having Sundstrand 
(Westinghouse) P/N 9008D09 series or 914F567-4.
    (2) Modify the power relay, Sundstrand (Westinghouse) P/N 
914F567-3, to a -4 configuration.

[[Page 9934]]

Maintenance or Replacement of Any Generator Power Relay, Auxiliary 
Power Relay, or External Power Relay, P/N 914F567-4

    (c) If any generator power relay, auxiliary power relay, or 
external power relay, Sundstrand (Westinghouse) P/N 914F567-4, is 
found installed during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of 
this AD, clean, inspect, repair, and test the relay, or replace the 
power relay with a serviceable power relay having Sundstrand 
(Westinghouse) P/N 9008D09 series or 914F567-4; per Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin DC9-24A191, Revision 02, dated January 7, 2003; at 
the time specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, except as 
provided by paragraph (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Within 7,000 flight hours after installation of the 
generator power relay, auxiliary power relay, or external power 
relay, Sundstrand (Westinghouse) P/N 914F567-4, or within 24 months 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
    (2) For airplanes on which the flight hours since installation 
of any generator power relay, auxiliary power relay, or external 
power relay, Sundstrand (Westinghouse) P/N 914F567-4, cannot be 
determined: Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.

Repetitive Maintenance of Generator Power Relay, Auxiliary Power Relay, 
or External Power Relay, Sundstrand (Westinghouse) P/N 914F567-4

    (d) Before or upon the accumulation of 7,000 flight hours on any 
generator power relay, auxiliary power relay, or external power 
relay, Sundstrand (Westinghouse) P/N 914F567-4 since accomplishing 
the action(s) required by either paragraph (b) or (c) of this AD, as 
applicable, clean, inspect, repair, and test; per Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin DC9-24A191, Revision 02, dated January 7, 2003. 
Thereafter, repeat these actions at intervals not to exceed the 
accumulation of 7,000 flight hours on the power relay.

Credit for AD 2002-26-13, Amendment 39-13001

    (e) Accomplishment of the actions specified in AD 2002-26-13 is 
acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

Incorporation by Reference

    (g) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin DC9-24A191, Revision 02, dated January 7, 2003. 
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 Airplanes, 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 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.

Effective Date

    ( h) This amendment becomes effective on April 7, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 20, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-4561 Filed 3-2-04; 8:45 am]
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