[Federal Register: July 5, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 128)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 38053-38054]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05jy06-2]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-24430; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-048-AD;
Amendment 39-14671; AD 2006-13-18]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-31, DC-9-
32, DC-9-32F, DC-9-33F, DC-9-34, and DC-9-34F Airplanes; and Model DC-
9-40 and DC-9-50 Series 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 transport category airplanes, identified above. This AD
requires installing a bonding jumper from the boost pump volute to the
fuel tank structure, and related investigative/corrective actions. This
AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We
are issuing this AD to prevent point-contact arcing or filament heating
in the fuel tank, which, in the event of a short or ground fault inside
the fuel tank, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent
loss of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective August 9, 2006.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of August 9,
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.
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and
Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for service information
identified in this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137;
telephone (562) 627-5262; 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 McDonnell
Douglas transport category airplanes. That NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on April 13, 2006 (71 FR 19140). That NPRM proposed to
require installing a bonding jumper from the boost pump volute to the
fuel tank structure, and related investigative/corrective actions.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We received no
[[Page 38054]]
comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 250 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This AD will affect about 152 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The required actions will take about 9 work hours per
airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts
will cost about $2,385 per airplane. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of this AD for U.S. operators is $471,960, or $3,105 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):
2006-13-18 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-14671. Docket No. FAA-
2006-24430; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-048-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective August 9, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-31, DC-9-32,
DC-9-32F, DC-9-33F, DC-9-34, DC-9-34F, DC-9-41, and DC-9-51
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing
Service Bulletin DC9-28-214, dated December 16, 2005.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent point-contact arcing
or filament heating in the fuel tank, which, in the event of a short
or ground fault inside the fuel tank, could result in a fuel tank
explosion and consequent loss 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.
Installation
(f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD,
install a bonding jumper from the boost pump volute to the fuel tank
structure, and do all applicable related investigative and
corrective actions before further flight; by doing all the actions
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service
Bulletin DC9-28-214, dated December 16, 2005.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g)(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 Sec.
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
(h) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-28-214, dated
December 16, 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 Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard,
Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service
Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), 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 June 22, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-5871 Filed 7-3-06; 8:45 am]
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