[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 26, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62424-62426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-23930]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19448; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-134-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require replacing, with improved parts, certain existing 
fluorescent light lamp holders located in the ceiling panels and life 
raft ceiling support housings, and behind the overhead stowage 
compartments in the main cabin. This proposed AD is prompted by reports 
of failure of fluorescent light lamp holders in the main cabin. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent chafing of the lamp holder power wire 
against the mounting bracket, and moisture intrusion into the lamp 
holders, which could result in failure of the lamp holders and 
consequent smoke and fire in the airplane cabin.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 10, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     By fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood 
Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service 
Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024).
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, on 
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: 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.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19448; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-134-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each

[[Page 62425]]

substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed 
AD. Using the search function of that Web site, anyone can find and 
read the comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the 
individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an 
association, business, labor union, etc.). You can review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    We have received reports of failure of certain fluorescent light 
lamp holders that are installed in the ceiling panels and life raft 
ceiling support housings and behind the overhead stowage compartments 
in the main cabin on all McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 airplanes. The 
failures have been attributed to chafing of the lamp holder power wire 
against the mounting bracket, and moisture intrusion into the lamp 
holders. Failure of the lamp holders, if not corrected, could result in 
smoke and fire in the airplane cabin.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD90-33A012, 
Revision 3, dated January 14, 2004. The service bulletin describes 
procedures for replacing existing Page Aerospace Limited fluorescent 
light lamp holders located in the ceiling panels and life raft ceiling 
support housings with improved Bruce Industries Incorporated lamp 
holders. Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD90-33A012, Revision 3, refers 
to C & D Aerospace Alert Service Bulletin 59406XX-25A01 as an 
additional source of service information for accomplishing the 
replacement. The current version of that C&D Aerospace service bulletin 
is Revision 4, dated July 31, 2003.
    We have also reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD90-33A013, 
dated November 29, 2001. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
replacing existing Page Aerospace Limited fluorescent light lamp 
holders located behind the overhead stowage compartments in the main 
cabin with improved Bruce Industries Incorporated lamp holders. Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin MD90-33A013 refers to C & D Aerospace Alert 
Service Bulletin 51310XX-25A01 as an additional source of service 
information for accomplishing the replacement. The current version of 
that C&D Aerospace service bulletin is Revision 5, dated March 30, 
2004.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the Boeing service bulletins 
is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require replacing, with improved parts, certain existing 
fluorescent light lamp holders in the ceiling panels and life raft 
ceiling support housings, and behind the overhead stowage compartments 
in the main cabin. The proposed AD would require you to use the service 
information described previously to perform these actions.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 84 airplanes worldwide and 21 
airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 98 
work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost about $27,158 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is 
$704,088, or $33,528 per airplane.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

McDonnell Douglas: Docket No. FAA-2004-19448; Directorate Identifier 
2004-NM-134-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by December 10, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Model MD-90-30 airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of failure of fluorescent 
light lamp holders in the main cabin. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent chafing of the lamp holder power wire against the mounting 
bracket, and moisture intrusion into the lamp holders, which could 
result in failure of the lamp holders and consequent smoke and fire 
in the airplane cabin.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

[[Page 62426]]

Replacement

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace existing fluorescent light lamp holders manufactured by Page 
Aerospace Limited, with improved parts manufactured by Bruce 
Industries Incorporated, as specified in Table 1 of this AD.

                  Table 1.--Replacement of Lamp Holders
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                                                    Which refers to this
                                                     service information
   Replace lamp holders in     In accordance with     as an additional
      these locations--           this service            source of
                                  information--          replacement
                                                       instructions--
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(1) Ceiling panels and life   Boeing Alert Service  C & D Aerospace
 raft ceiling support          Bulletin MD90-        Alert Service
 housings.                     33A012, Revision 3,   Bulletin 59406XX-
                               dated January 14,     25A01; currently at
                               2004.                 Revision 4, dated
                                                     July 31, 2003.
(2) Sidewall behind the       Boeing Alert Service  C & D Aerospace
 overhead stowage              Bulletin MD90-        Alert Service
 compartments in the main      33A013, dated         Bulletin C & D
 cabin.                        November 29, 2001.    Aerospace Alert
                                                     Service Bulletin
                                                     51310XX-25A01;
                                                     currently at
                                                     Revision 5, dated
                                                     March 30, 2004.
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Parts Installation

    (g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
fluorescent light lamp holder manufactured by Page Aerospace 
Limited, in the locations specified in this AD, on any airplane.

Replacements Accomplished Per Previous Issues of Service Bulletin

    (h) Replacements accomplished before the effective date of this 
AD per the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD90-33A012, dated March 28, 2001; Revision 01, dated 
September 17, 2001; or Revision 02, dated January 17, 2002; are 
considered acceptable for compliance with paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 18, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-23930 Filed 10-25-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P