[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 6, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17353-17354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6765]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20873; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-026-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:  Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require repetitively replacing and testing a certain relay of the 
passenger oxygen release system in the forward cabin. This proposed AD 
is prompted by reports of a failed relay of the passenger oxygen 
release system. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the 
relay, which could result in the oxygen masks failing to deploy and 
deliver oxygen to the passengers in the event of a rapid decompression 
or cabin depressurization.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 23, 2005.

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 in person 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. This 
docket number is FAA-2005-20873; the directorate identifier for this 
docket is 2005-NM-026-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Albert Lam, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150L, FAA, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5346; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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-2005-20873; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-026-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 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.

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 two reports indicating the detection of a failed 
relay of the passenger oxygen release system on certain McDonnell 
Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. The failures were detected after a 
popped circuit breaker on the electrical power center was found during 
inspection. Investigation revealed that the failures were caused by an 
out-of-phase power transfer between two 115-volt alternating current 
power sources. This condition, if not corrected, could result in the 
oxygen masks failing to deploy and deliver oxygen to the passengers in 
the event of a rapid decompression or cabin depressurization.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-35A0003, dated 
November 19, 2004. The service bulletin

[[Page 17354]]

describes procedures for repetitively replacing a certain relay of the 
passenger oxygen release system in the forward cabin with a new relay, 
and repetitive operational tests of that relay. The subject relay, item 
number R2-5152, is located in the aft electrical power center at 
station Y=160.000.

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 accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Interim Action

    We consider this proposed AD interim action. The manufacturer is 
currently developing a modification that will address the unsafe 
condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is developed, 
approved, and available, we may consider additional rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 122 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 92 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed replacement and test would take about 2 
work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. 
Required parts would be free of charge. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed replacement and test for U.S. operators 
is $11,960, or $130 per airplane, per cycle.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator, Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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), 401113, 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-2005-20873; Directorate Identifier 
2005-NM-026-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administrator (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by May 23, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service bulletin 717-35A0003, dated November 19, 2004.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of a failed reply of the 
passenger oxygen release system. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of the relay, which could result in the oxygen masks failing 
to deploy and deliver oxygen to the passengers in the event of a 
rapid decompression or cabin depressurization.

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.

Repetitive Replacement and Test

    (f) Replace the relay of the passenger oxygen release system in 
the forward cabin with a new relay and test for proper operation by 
doing all the actions as specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
717-35A0003, dated November 19, 2004; at the applicable time 
specified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD. Repeat the 
actions at intervals not to exceed 3,100 flight cycles.
    (1) For Group 1 airplanes, as identified in the service 
bulletin: Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For Group 2 airplanes, as identified in the service 
bulletin: Before the accumulation of 3,100 total flight cycles or 
within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever is 
later.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 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 March 30, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6765 Filed 4-5-05; 8:45 am]
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