[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 151 (Monday, August 8, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45585-45587]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15590]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22031; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-259-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Meggitt Model 602 Smoke Detectors 
Approved Under Technical Standard Order (TSO) TSO-C1C and Installed on 
Various Transport Category Airplanes, Including But Not Limited to 
Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 Airplanes; Boeing Model 727 and 737 
Airplanes; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-
10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-
10F, MD-10-30F, MD-11, and MD-11F 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 smoke detectors installed on various transport category 
airplanes. This proposed AD would require replacing the affected smoke 
detectors with modified smoke detectors. This proposed AD is prompted 
by a report indicating that the affected smoke detectors can ``lock 
up'' during electrical power transfer from the auxiliary power unit to 
the engines. We are proposing this AD to identify and provide 
corrective action for a potentially inoperative smoke detector and to 
ensure that the flightcrew is alerted in the event of a fire.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 22, 
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 
Meggitt Safety Systems Inc., 1915 Voyager Avenue, Simi Valley, 
California 93063.
    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-2005-22031; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2004-NM-259-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Sujishi, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin 
Safety, Mechanical, and Environmental Branch, ANM-150L, FAA, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5353; 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-2005-22031; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-259-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 a report indicating that an unsafe condition may 
exist on transport category airplanes equipped with certain smoke 
detectors. The affected smoke detectors are Meggitt Model 602 smoke 
detectors approved under Technical Standard Order (TSO) TSO-C1C and 
having certain part numbers (P/Ns) 8930-( ). Testing indicated a design 
discrepancy involving the operation of these smoke detectors. During a 
test on McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11F airplanes, 31 of 33 smoke 
detectors ``locked up'' when the power to the smoke detectors was 
interrupted during power transfer from the auxiliary power unit (APU) 
to the engines. Investigation revealed that the smoke detector circuit 
does not meet power interrupt requirements during a power transfer 
between ground power, APU power, and main engine power sources on the 
airplane. When the smoke detector locks up, the flightcrew is unaware 
of the inoperative smoke detector unless they test the smoke

[[Page 45586]]

detection system. The smoke detector remains inoperative until power to 
the unit is cycled off and on. Under these conditions, the flightcrew 
would not be alerted in the event of a fire.
    This lock-up condition may also be produced by electrical power 
transfer on other airplanes equipped with an affected smoke detector. 
Included in that group are airplanes listed in the following table:

                           Affected Airplanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Manufacturer                             Model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aerospatiale......................  ATR42 and ATR72 airplanes.
Boeing............................  727 and 737 airplanes.
McDonnell Douglas.................  DC-10-10 and DC-10-10F; DC-10-15; DC-
                                     10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-
                                     10); and DC-10-40 and DC-10-40F
                                     airplanes.
                                    MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes.
                                    MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Therefore, all of these airplanes may be subject to the identified 
unsafe condition.

Related AD

    On January 12, 2005, we issued AD 2005-02-04, amendment 39-13949 
(70 FR 3296, January 24, 2005), for all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-10-
10F, MD-10-30F, MD-11F, DC-10-10F, and DC-10-30F airplanes. AD 2005-02-
04 requires identifying the part number of the cargo compartment smoke 
detectors and, if necessary, revising the Limitations section of the 
airplane flight manual to include procedures for testing the smoke 
detection system after the last engine is started. That AD also 
provides for the optional replacement of the subject smoke detectors 
with modified smoke detectors, which would terminate the operational 
limitation.
    Similar to this new proposed AD, AD 2005-02-04 was prompted by a 
report indicating that these smoke detectors can ``lock up'' during 
electrical power transfer from the APU to the engines. We issued that 
AD to identify and provide corrective action for a potentially 
inoperative smoke detector in the cargo compartment and to ensure that 
the flightcrew is alerted in the event of a cargo compartment fire.
    When this new AD becomes effective, we will rescind AD 2005-02-04.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Meggitt Safety Systems Service Information Letter 
(SIL) 8930-26-01, dated November 8, 2004. The SIL provides procedures 
for, among other things, replacing the affected smoke detectors with 
modified smoke detectors, which 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 accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    It would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average hourly 
labor rate of $65, to replace a smoke detector installed on the 
airplane. Replacement parts would be provided at no cost to the 
operators. We have been advised that about 4,637 smoke detectors have 
already been replaced. We estimate that affected smoke detectors are 
installed on 318 U.S.-registered airplanes. There may be as many as 28 
affected smoke detectors on an airplane. This proposed AD could cost as 
much as $1,820 per airplane.

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), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Transport Category Airplanes: Docket No. FAA-2005-22031; Directorate 
Identifier 2004-NM-259-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by September 22, 2005.

[[Page 45587]]

Affected ADs

    (b) Accomplishment of certain actions required by this AD 
terminates certain requirements of AD 2005-02-04, amendment 39-
13949.
    Applicability: (c) This AD applies to Meggitt Model 602 smoke 
detectors approved under Technical Standard Order (TSO) TSO-C1C and 
having any P/N 8930-( ) identified in Meggitt Safety Systems Service 
Information Letter 8930-26-01, as installed on various transport 
category airplanes, certificated in any category, including but not 
limited to the airplane models listed in Table 1 of this AD.

                  Table 1.--Certain Affected Airplanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Manufacturer                             Model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aerospatiale......................  ATR42-200, -300, -320, and -500
                                     airplanes.
                                    ATR72-101, -201, -102, -202, -211, -
                                     212, and -212A airplanes.
Boeing............................  727, 727C, 727-100, 727 -100C, 727-
                                     200, and 727-200F series airplanes.
                                    737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, -
                                     500, -600, -700, -700C, -800 and -
                                     900 series airplanes.
McDonnell Douglas.................  DC-10-10 and DC-10-10F; DC-10-15; DC-
                                     10-30 and DC-10-30F, (KC-10A and
                                     KDC-10); and DC-10-40 and DC-10-40F
                                     airplanes.
                                    MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes.
                                    MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD is prompted by a report indicating that the affected 
smoke detectors can ``lock up'' during electrical power transfer 
from the auxiliary power unit (APU) to the engines. We are issuing 
this AD to identify and provide corrective action for a potentially 
inoperative smoke detector and to ensure that the flightcrew is 
alerted in the event of a fire.
    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.

Smoke Detector Identification/Replacement

    (f) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the affected smoke detector with a modified smoke detector, in 
accordance with Meggitt Safety Systems Service Information Letter 
8930-26-01.

Effect on AD 2005-02-04

    (g) For airplanes subject to the requirements of AD 2005-02-04: 
After all affected smoke detectors have been replaced with modified 
smoke detectors in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD, the 
operational limitation required by paragraph (h) of AD 2005-02-04 is 
terminated and may be removed from the airplane flight manual.

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
on any airplane a Meggitt Model 602 smoke detector having any P/N 
8930-( ) identified in Meggitt Service Information Letter 8930-26-
01, dated November 8, 2004.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i) 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 August 1, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-15590 Filed 8-5-05; 8:45 am]
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