[Federal Register: February 17, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 33)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8446-8448]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17fe06-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22031; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-259-AD;
Amendment 39-14485; AD 2006-04-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Meggitt Model 602 Smoke Detectors
Approved Under Technical Standard Order (TSO) TSO-C1C and Installed on
Various Transport Category Airplanes, Including but Not Limited to
Aerospatiale Model ATR42 and ATR72 Airplanes; Boeing Model 727 and 737
Airplanes; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-
10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-
10F, MD-10-30F, MD-11, and MD-11F 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
certain smoke detectors installed on various transport category
airplanes. This AD requires replacing the affected smoke detectors with
modified smoke detectors. This AD results from a report indicating that
the affected smoke detectors can ``lock up'' during electrical power
transfer from the auxiliary power unit to the engines. We are issuing
this AD to identify and provide corrective action for a potentially
inoperative smoke detector and to ensure that the flightcrew is alerted
in the event of a fire.
DATES: This AD becomes effective March 24, 2006.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of March 24,
2006.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building,
room PL-401, Washington, DC.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Meggitt
Safety Systems Inc., 1915 Voyager Avenue, Simi Valley, California
93063.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Sujishi, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin
Safety, Mechanical, and Environmental Branch, ANM-150L, FAA, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5353; fax (562)
627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Examining the Docket
You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain smoke
detectors installed on various transport category airplanes. That NPRM
was published in the Federal Register on August 8, 2005 (70 FR 45585).
That NPRM proposed to require replacing the affected smoke detectors
with modified smoke detectors.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments on the proposed
AD.
Request To Revise Applicability and Compliance Time
The commenter, on behalf of an airline, requests that we revise the
applicability of the proposed AD to specify McDonnell Douglas Model
717-200 airplanes. He notes that Meggitt Model 602 smoke detectors are
installed on these airplanes as part of the type design. He recognizes
that, in this case, the applicability is not limited to the airplane
models listed in Table 1 of the proposed AD. But he feels that
airplanes known to be equipped with the affected smoke detectors should
be specifically identified in the applicability.
He notes that Meggitt Service Information Letter (SIL) 8930-26-01
(cited in the proposed AD) specifies that replacing the smoke detectors
on Model 717-200 airplanes could take up to 18 months. He requests that
we either extend the compliance time accordingly or obtain Meggitt's
written confirmation that all operators can meet the proposed 6-month
compliance time.
FAA Response
Since affected Model 602 smoke detectors are installed in Model
717-200 airplanes and the AD applies to smoke detectors installed on
transport category airplanes ``including but not limited to'' the
airplane models listed in Table 1, this AD applies to Model 717-200
airplanes. But the smoke detector lock-up condition depends on certain
design characteristics of the airplane's electrical system. Testing has
demonstrated that the Model 717-200 electrical power transfer
characteristics do not cause the smoke detector to lock up. So there is
no immediate concern for the safety of flight of Model 717-200
airplanes due to the identified unsafe condition.
Despite this finding, however, we require that all affected smoke
detectors be replaced because these interchangeable parts may later be
installed on airplanes with the demonstrated unsafe condition. Meggitt
has confirmed that a six-month compliance time is feasible, since a
significant number of affected smoke detectors have already been
modified. But under the provisions of paragraph (i) of this final rule,
operators may request an adjustment of the compliance time if they
provide data proving that the new compliance time would ensure an
acceptable level of safety.
We have not changed the final rule regarding these issues.
Revised Service Information
Meggit has revised SIL 8930-26-01 according to the following
schedule.
SIL Revision History
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Version Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original issue...................... November 8, 2004.
Revision A.......................... November 8, 2004.
Revision B.......................... January 19, 2005.
Revision C.......................... May 25, 2005.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The SIL was revised to, among other things, correct an incorrect
smoke detector part number; the remaining information in the SIL is
essentially the same. We have revised paragraph (f) in this final rule
to refer to specific revisions of the SIL.
Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph
We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure
for notifying the principal inspector before using any
[[Page 8447]]
approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously.
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
It takes about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average hourly labor
rate of $65, to replace a smoke detector installed on the airplane.
Replacement parts will be provided at no cost to the operators. We have
been advised that about 4,637 smoke detectors have already been
replaced. We estimate that affected smoke detectors are installed on
318 U.S.-registered airplanes. There may be as many as 28 affected
smoke detectors on an airplane. This AD could cost as much as $1,820
per airplane.
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:
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):
2006-04-04 Transport Category Airplanes: Amendment 39-14485. Docket
No. FAA-2005-22031; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-259-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective March 24, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) Accomplishment of certain actions required by this AD
terminates certain requirements of AD 2005-02-04, amendment 39-
13949.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Meggitt Model 602 smoke detectors
approved under Technical Standard Order (TSO) TSO-C1C and having any
P/N 8930-( ) identified as a ``Current Part Number'' in Meggitt
Service Information Letter 8930-26-01, Revision C, dated May 25,
2005, as installed on various transport category airplanes,
certificated in any category, including but not limited to the
airplane models listed in Table 1 of this AD.
Table 1.--Certain Affected Airplanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer Model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aerospatiale........................... ATR42-200, -300, -320, and -500
airplanes.
ATR72-101, -201, -102, -202, -
211, -212, and -212A
airplanes.
Boeing................................. 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C,
727-200, and 727-200F series
airplanes.
737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -
400, -500, -600, -700, -700C,
800 and -900 series airplanes.
McDonnell Douglas...................... DC-10-10 and DC-10-10F; DC-10-
15; DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-
10A and KDC-10); and DC-10-40
and DC-10-40F airplanes.
MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F
airplanes.
MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD is prompted by a report indicating that the affected
smoke detectors can ``lock up'' during electrical power transfer
from the auxiliary power unit (APU) to the engines. We are issuing
this AD to identify and provide corrective action for a potentially
inoperative smoke detector and to ensure that the flightcrew is
alerted in the event of a fire.
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.
Smoke Detector Identification/Replacement
(f) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace
the affected smoke detector with a modified smoke detector, in
accordance with Meggitt Service Information Letter 8930-26-01,
Revision C, dated May 25, 2005. Replacement of a smoke detector
before the effective date of this AD is
[[Page 8448]]
also acceptable if done in accordance with the original issue of
Meggitt Service Information Letter 8930-26-01, dated November 8,
2004; Revision A, dated November 8, 2004; or Revision B, dated
January 19, 2005.
Effect on AD 2005-02-04
(g) For airplanes subject to the requirements of AD 2005-02-04:
After all affected smoke detectors have been replaced with modified
smoke detectors in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD, the
operational limitation required by paragraph (h) of AD 2005-02-04 is
terminated and may be removed from the airplane flight manual.
Parts Installation
(h) On or after the effective date of this AD, no person may
install on any airplane a Meggitt Model 602 smoke detector having
any P/N 8930-( ) identified as a ``Current Part Number'' in Meggitt
Service Information Letter 8930-26-01, Revision C, dated May 25,
2005.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(i)(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) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(j) You must use Meggitt Service Information Letter 8930-26-01,
Revision C, dated May 25, 2005, to perform the actions that are
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of
this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
Contact Meggitt Safety Systems Inc., 1915 Voyager Avenue, Simi
Valley, California 93063, for a copy of this service information.
You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401,
Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
; or at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_
federal--regulations/ibr--
locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 1, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-1408 Filed 2-16-06; 8:45 am]
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