[Federal Register: October 26, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 206)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 62424-62426]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26oc04-19]
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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, marcia.walters@faa.gov.
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.
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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]
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