[Federal Register: January 31, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 21)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 4911-4912]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31ja03-8]
[[Page 4911]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-172-AD; Amendment 39-13033; AD 2003-03-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This
AD requires a one-time inspection of the single-phase remote control
circuit breaker(s) (RCCBs) in a certain area of the electrical/
electronic (E/E) compartment to determine the part number and serial
number of the RCCB(s), and replacement of certain RCCBs with new or
serviceable RCCBs, if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent
failure of an RCCB to trip during an overload condition due to a
defective braze joint in the RCCB latch assembly, which could result in
overheating of the RCCB load wire, and consequent smoke and possible
fire in the E/E compartment of the airplane. This action is intended to
address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective March 7, 2003.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 7, 2003.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, 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; 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: 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.
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
MD-90-30 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 1,
2002 (67 FR 61569). That action proposed to require a one-time
inspection of the single-phase remote control circuit breaker(s)
(RCCBs) in a certain area of the electrical/electronic (E/E)
compartment to determine the part number and serial number of the
RCCB(s), and replacement of certain RCCBs with new or serviceable
RCCBs, if necessary.
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 86 Model MD-90-30 airplanes of the affected
design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate that 21 airplanes of U.S.
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1
work hour per airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures,
the cost impact of this inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$1,260, or $60 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
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
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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
2003-03-09 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13033. Docket 2001-NM-
172-AD.
Applicability: Model MD-90-30 airplanes as listed in McDonnell
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A053, Revision 01, dated
February 23, 2001; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by
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this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the
request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of a remote control circuit breaker (RCCB) to
trip during an overload condition due to a defective braze joint in
the RCCB latch assembly, which could result in overheating of the
RCCB load wire, and consequent smoke and possible fire in the
electrical/electronic (E/E) compartment of the airplane, accomplish
the following:
Inspection and Replacement, If Necessary
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time inspection of the single-phase RCCB or RCCBs, as
applicable, at station Y=120.050 in the E/E compartment of the
airplane to determine the part number and serial number of the
RCCB(s), per the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas
Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A053, Revision 01, excluding
Evaluation Form, dated February 23, 2001.
(1) If an RCCB has a part number that is not listed in Table 1,
Figure 1, or Table 2, Figure 2, of the service bulletin, as
applicable: No further action is required by this AD for that RCCB.
It is not necessary to report findings to Boeing by completing the
form in the Appendix of the service bulletin.
(2) If an RCCB has a part number that is listed in Table 1,
Figure 1, or Table 2, Figure 2, of the service bulletin, as
applicable, and the corresponding serial number is not identified in
that table: No further action is required by this AD for that RCCB.
It is not necessary to report findings to Boeing by completing the
form in the Appendix of the service bulletin.
(3) If an RCCB has a part number that is listed in Table 1,
Figure 1, or Table 2, Figure 2, of the service bulletin, as
applicable; and the corresponding serial number is identified in
that table: Before further flight, replace the RCCB with a new or
serviceable RCCB per the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin. The replacement RCCB must have the same part number as the
part being replaced, and a serial number that is not identified in
Table 1, Figure 1, or Table 2, Figure 2, of the service bulletin, as
applicable. It is not necessary to report findings to Boeing by
completing the form in the Appendix of the service bulletin.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add
comments and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A053, Revision 01, excluding
Evaluation Form, dated February 23, 2001. 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 Aircraft Group, 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; 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
(e) This amendment becomes effective on March 7, 2003.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 22, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-1953 Filed 1-30-03; 8:45 am]
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