[Federal Register: December 14, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 239)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 74463-74465]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14de04-24]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19768; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-184-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 a general visual inspection in the electrical/electronics
(E/E) compartment for damage of the wire bundle and aft right radio
rack structure at station 160.000, and corrective actions if necessary.
This proposed AD would also require modifying the radio rack structure
and wire bundle routing. This proposed AD is prompted by a report
indicating that burnt wiring was discovered in the wire bundle at
station 160.000 in the E/E compartment. We are proposing this AD to
detect and correct chafing of the wire bundle at station 160.000
against the support bracket located on the aft right radio rack, which
could lead to shorted or burnt wires and consequent smoke and fire in
the E/E compartment.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 28,
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-2004-19768; the directorate identifier for this docket is
2004-NM-184-AD.
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,
[[Page 74464]]
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-2004-19768;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-184-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.
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 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 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, during operator
troubleshooting of a chronic ``Stall Ind Failure'' message on an MD-90-
30 airplane, burnt wiring was discovered in the wire bundle at station
160.000 in the electrical/electronics (E/E) compartment. Operator
investigation determined that this was caused by chafing of the wire
bundle against the support bracket located on the aft right radio rack.
The operator discovered the wire bundle riding the support bracket on
15 more airplanes and the manufacturer found similar riding and wire
chafing on two more airplanes. In addition, the manufacturer's
inspection revealed another location of wire chafing on the aft right
radio rack. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to shorted or
burnt wires and consequent smoke and fire in the E/E compartment.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-
24A080, Revision 1, dated August 5, 2004. The service bulletin
describes procedures for a general visual inspection in the electrical/
electronics (E/E) compartment for damage of the wire bundle and aft
right radio rack structure at station 160.000, and corrective actions
if necessary. The corrective actions include repairing or replacing
damaged wires and repairing any radio rack structural damage. The
service bulletin also describes procedures for modifying the radio rack
structure and rerouting the wire assembly. Accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information 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.
Clarification of Inspection Terminology
In this proposed AD, the ``visual inspection'' specified in the
Boeing service bulletin is referred to as a ``general visual
inspection.'' We have included the definition for a general visual
inspection in Note 1 of this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 105 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 21 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 5 work hours per
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts
would cost about $3,479 per airplane. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $79,884, or
$3,804 per airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. 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.
This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, the FAA is charged with promoting
safety 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 AD.
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;
[[Page 74465]]
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-2004-19768; Directorate Identifier
2004-NM-184-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by January 28, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30
airplanes; certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report indicating that burnt
wiring was discovered in the wire bundle at station 160.000 in the
electrical/electronics (E/E) compartment. We are issuing this AD to
detect and correct chafing of the wire bundle at station 160.000
against the support bracket located on the aft right radio rack,
which could lead to shorted or burnt wires and consequent smoke and
fire in the E/E compartment.
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.
Inspection
(f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a general visual inspection in the E/E compartment for
damage of the wire bundle and aft right radio rack structure at
station 160.000; do any applicable corrective actions; and modify
the radio rack structure and reroute the wire assembly; by
accomplishing all of the actions specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-
24A080, Revision 1, dated August 5, 2004.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area,
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain
proximity to the area being checked.''
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 November 26, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-27328 Filed 12-13-04; 8:45 am]
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