[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 12, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51997-52000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17844]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26043; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-010-AD; 
Amendment 39-15193; AD 2007-19-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting 
the power conversion distribution unit (PCDU) to determine its part 
number, and modifying certain PCDUs. This AD results from reports of 
failed PCDUs, the loss of an electrical bus, and the presence of a 
strong electrical burning odor in the flight deck and forward cabin. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent the loss of an electrical bus due to 
PCDU failure, resulting in the loss of all flight displays for an 
unacceptable time period, and consequent emergency landing.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 17, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of October 17, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building

[[Page 51998]]

Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, 
DC.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and 
Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for service information 
identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Phan, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5342; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov 
or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Operations 
office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the ground floor of the 
West Building at the DOT street address stated in the ADDRESSES 
section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all 
McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. That supplemental NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on June 6, 2007 (72 FR 31206). That 
supplemental NPRM proposed to require inspecting the power conversion 
distribution unit (PCDU) to determine its part number, and modifying 
certain PCDUs. That supplemental NPRM also proposed to re-identify the 
part number reference for the proposed corrective action.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been received on the 
supplemental NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed 
in the supplemental NPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 137 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet, of which about 108 airplanes are U.S. registered. The 
following tables provide the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this AD. The total fleet cost could be as high as $434,592.

                                       Estimated Costs for Primary Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Labor rate                       Cost per
                 Primary actions                    Work hours       per hour       Parts cost       airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part number identification......................               1             $80              $0             $80
Modification (Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-              12              80               0             960
 24A0028).......................................
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                                     Estimated Costs for Concurrent Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Hamilton Sundstrand  Service                        Labor rate
           Bulletin                 Work hours        per hour         Parts cost          Cost per airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40EGS22P-24-3.................  6................             $80  $154, per          $634.
                                                                    airplane.
40EGS22P-24-4.................  3................              80  0................  240.
40EGS22P-24-6.................  3................              80  0................  240.
40EGS22P-24-7.................  1 per PCDU,                    80  10 per PCDU,       270 (maximum).
                                 maximum 3 PCDUs                    maximum 3 PCDUs
                                 per airplane.                      per airplane.
40EGS22P-24-8.................  10...............              80  0................  800.
40EGS22P-24-9.................  10...............              80  0................  800.
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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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 51999]]

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

2007-19-03 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-15193. Docket No. FAA-
2006-26043; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-010-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective October 17, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 
airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of failed power conversion 
distribution units (PCDUs), the loss of an electrical bus, and the 
presence of a strong electrical burning odor in the flight deck and 
forward cabin. We are issuing this AD to prevent the loss of an 
electrical bus due to PCDU failure, resulting in the loss of all 
flight displays for an unacceptable time period, and consequent 
emergency landing.

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.

Identification of PCDU Part Number

    (f) Within 20 months after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect the PCDU to determine its part number. A review of airplane 
maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the 
part number can be conclusively determined from that review.
    (1) If the part number is below 762904E, do the actions 
specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.
    (2) If the part number is 762904E or higher, no further work is 
required by this AD.

Modification

    (g) Within 20 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the PCDU in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-
24A0028, Revision 1, dated December 20, 2005. A modification done 
before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 717-24A0028, dated November 24, 2004, is acceptable 
for compliance with the requirements of this paragraph.

    Note 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-24A0028 refers to 
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin 40EGS22P-24-10, Revision 1, 
dated May 11, 2005, as an additional source of service information 
for the modification.

Concurrent Requirements

    (h) Before or concurrently with the modification required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, do the applicable actions specified in 
Table 1 of this AD.

                    Table 1.--Concurrent Requirements
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                                             In accordance with Hamilton
            Do the following--              Sundstrand Service Bulletin--
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rework the transformer rectifier unit       40EGS22P-24-3, dated June
 assembly (TRU).                             30, 2000.
Rework the W3 wiring harness assembly to
 install direct lead wires to the TRU
Add a ground wire to the TRU transformer
Add an insulated spacer to the PCDU top
 cover
Install new PCDU 186 firmware.............  40EGS22P-24-4, Revision 1,
                                             dated January 2, 2002.
Install new PCDU 186 firmware.............  40EGS22P-24-6, dated July
                                             25, 2002.
Modify the top cover of the PCDU..........  40EGS22P-24-7, dated
                                             September 3, 2003.
Modify printed wiring board (PWB)           40EGS22P-24-8, dated
 assemblies A4 and A5.                       September 4, 2003.
Check and apply torque seal to fasteners
 on the TRU assembly and to PCDU internal
 fasteners, as applicable
Modify PWB assembly A4....................  40EGS22P-24-9, dated
                                             November 19, 2003.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Credit for Accomplishment of Earlier Service Bulletin

    (i) Installation of new PCDU 186 firmware before the effective 
date of this AD in accordance with Hamilton Sundstrand Service 
Bulletin 40EGS22P-24-4, dated April 26, 2001, is acceptable for 
compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraph (h) of 
this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j)(1) 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.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use the service documents identified in Table 2 of 
this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless 
the AD specifies otherwise.

                                  Table 2.--Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Service Bulletin                        Revision level                            Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-      1..................................  December 20, 2005.
 24A0028.
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin    Original...........................  June 30, 2000.
 40EGS22P-24-3.
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin    1..................................  January 2, 2002.
 40EGS22P-24-4.
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin    Original...........................  July 25, 2002.
 40EGS22P-24-6.
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin    Original...........................  September 3, 2003.
 40EGS22P-24-7.
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin    Original...........................  September 4, 2003.
 40EGS22P-24-8.
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin    Original...........................  November 19, 2003.
 40EGS22P-24-9.
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[[Page 52000]]

Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin 40EGS22P-24-4, Revision 1, 
dated January 2, 2002, has the following effective pages:

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               Page Nos.                    Revision level shown on page              Date shown on page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8...................  1..................................  January 2, 2002.
2.....................................  Original...........................  April 26, 2001.
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The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 
1 CFR part 51. Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach 
Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, 
Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), 
for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 4, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-17844 Filed 9-11-07; 8:45 am]
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