[Federal Register: January 5, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 3)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 731-733]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05ja05-28]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19987; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-203-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200
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 certain McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. This proposed AD
would require replacing eight brake fuses of the hydraulic quantity
limiter with new or modified and reidentified fuses. This proposed AD
is prompted by reports indicating that brake fuses of the hydraulic
quantity limiter of the main landing gear have failed. We are proposing
this AD to prevent loss of both hydraulic and brake systems if one fuse
on each hydraulic system were to fail simultaneously, and consequent
reduced controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 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
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-2004-19987; the directorate identifier for this
docket is 2004-NM-203-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Technical information: Albert Lam, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and
Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137;
telephone (562) 627-5346; 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
[[Page 732]]
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-2004-19987;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-203-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 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 indicating that brake fuses of the
hydraulic quantity limiter of the main landing gear (MLG) have failed
on several McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. The failures
occurred at the brake fuse cap due to fatigue, resulting in hydraulic
fluid and pressure loss from the affected system. Typically, the
failure would manifest itself when full braking pressure is applied
(e.g., at the beginning of a rejected takeoff or when the parking brake
is set). This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of both
hydraulic and brake systems if one fuse on each hydraulic system were
to fail simultaneously, and consequent reduced controllability of the
airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-32A0031, dated
September 10, 2004. The service bulletin describes procedures for
replacing eight brake fuses of the hydraulic quantity limiter with new
or modified and reidentified fuses. Accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe
condition.
The service bulletin refers to Parker Hanninfin Corporation
Stratoflex Products Division Service Bulletin 836SD-8-6-20, Revision 1,
dated June 23, 2004, as an additional source of service information for
modifying and reidentifying the brake fuses.
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 Boeing service
information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 133 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet and 103 airplanes on the U.S. registry. The following
table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with
this proposed AD.
Estimated Costs
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Average
Work labor Cost per
Action hours rate per Parts airplane
hour
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Option 1. Replacement with new brake fuses... 9 $65 No Charge....................... $585
Option 2. Replacement with modified and 13 65 No Charge....................... 845
reidentified brake fuses.
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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
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 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;
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.
[[Page 733]]
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-2004-19987; Directorate Identifier
2004-NM-203-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by February 22, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200
airplanes, fuselage numbers 5002 through 5134 inclusive;
certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports indicating that brake fuses
of the hydraulic quantity limiter of the main landing gear (MLG)
have failed. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of both
hydraulic and brake systems if one fuse on each hydraulic system
were to fail simultaneously, and consequent reduced controllability
of the airplane.
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.
Compliance Times
(f) At the applicable time in Table 1 of this AD, do the action
required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
Table 1.--Compliance Times
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For airplanes having-- Compliance time
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(1) Less than 5,000 total flight cycles Within 3,600 flight cycles
as of the effective date of this AD. after the effective date of
this AD.
(2) 5,000 or more total flight cycles Within 1,500 flight cycles
as of the effective date of this AD. after the effective date of
this AD.
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Replacement
(g) Replace the eight brake fuses of the hydraulic quantity
limiter by doing either Option 1 or Option 2 in Table 2 of this AD
in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-32A0031, dated
September 10, 2004.
Table 2.--Replacement
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Replace eight fuses having part number (P/
Option-- N) 7918282-5503 with--
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1........................... New fuses having P/N 7918282-5505.
2........................... Modified and reidentified fuses having P/N
7918282-5505.
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Note 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-32A0031 refers to
Parker Hanninfin Corporation Stratoflex Products Division Service
Bulletin 836SD-8-6-20 Revision 1, dated June 23, 2004, as an
additional source of service information for modifying and
reidentifying the brakes fuses.
Parts Installation
(h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
brake fuse, P/N 7918282-5503, on any airplane.
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 December 27, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-168 Filed 1-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P