[Federal Register: September 6, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 172)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 52413-52415]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06se06-5]
[[Page 52413]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-24585; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-275-AD;
Amendment 39-14743; AD 2006-18-05]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-14, DC-9-
15, and DC-9-15F Airplanes; Model DC-9-21 Airplanes; Model DC-9-30
Series Airplanes; Model DC-9-41 Airplanes; and Model DC-9-51 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), which applies to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, DC-9-
20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 series airplanes. That AD currently
requires a one-time inspection at a certain disconnect panel in the
left forward cargo compartment to find contamination of electrical
connectors and to determine if a dripshield is installed over the
disconnect panel, and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD
revises the applicability of the existing AD by removing certain
airplanes and adding others. This AD results from a report of
electrical arcing that resulted in a fire. We are issuing this AD to
prevent contamination of certain electrical connectors, which could
cause electrical arcing and consequent fire on the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective October 11, 2006.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of October 11,
2006.
On March 7, 2003 (68 FR 4900, January 31, 2003), the Director of
the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 01, excluding Evaluation
Form, dated November 21, 2001.
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: Elvin K. Wheeler, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5344; 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 supersedes AD 2003-03-08, amendment
39-13032 (68 FR 4900, January 31, 2003). The existing AD applies to
certain McDonnell Douglas DC-9-10, DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-
50 series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on
May 1, 2006 (71 FR 25510). That NPRM proposed to continue to require a
one-time inspection at a certain disconnect panel in the left forward
cargo compartment to find contamination of electrical connectors and to
determine if a dripshield is installed over the disconnect panel, and
corrective actions if necessary. That NPRM also proposed to revise the
applicability of the existing AD to remove certain airplanes and add
others.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments that have been
received on the NPRM.
Request To Clarify Applicability
ABX Air requests that we revise paragraph (h) of this AD to specify
that it applies to airplanes equipped with forward lavatories. The
commenter states that this change would be consistent with the
applicability of AD 2003-03-08. The commenter also states that the
change would eliminate the need for requesting an alternative method of
compliance (AMOC) for airplanes that have had the forward lavatories
removed.
We agree that paragraph (h) applies to airplanes equipped with
forward lavatories. We point out that the effectivity of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 2, dated October 12, 2004, notes
clearly that the service bulletin is applicable only to airplanes with
forward lavatories installed. Since we reference Revision 2 in the
applicability of this AD, this AD applies to the airplanes identified
in Revision 2 and equipped with forward lavatories. However, we have
revised paragraph (h) of this AD as proposed by the commenter to
provide clarification.
Request To Accept Previous AMOCs
Northwest Airlines (NWA) states that it has accomplished the intent
of AD 2003-03-08 on all DC-9 airplanes in its fleet through two AMOCs,
which allow use of alternative replacement parts. (The requirements of
AD 2003-03-08 (corresponding to paragraph (f) of this AD) apply only to
airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190,
Revision 01, dated November 21, 2001.) NWA states that it has inspected
and modified several airplanes in accordance with AD 2003-03-08, which
are not included in the effectivity of Revision 01 of the service
bulletin. NWA further states that paragraph (h), as written in the
NPRM, applies to any airplane that is not listed in Revision 01. NWA
asserts that any such airplane would be required to accomplish
paragraph (h) in accordance with Revision 2 of the service bulletin.
Therefore, NWA requests that we revise the NPRM to accept previously
granted AMOCs to AD 2003-03-08. As justification, NWA states that this
change would allow compliance with Revision 2 (required by paragraph
(h) of this AD) without having to apply for an additional AMOC. We
infer that NWA would like previous AMOCs to be acceptable for
compliance with both paragraphs (f) and (h) of this AD.
We agree that AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2003-
03-08 are acceptable for the corresponding provisions of paragraph (f)
of this AD. Consequently, we have added a new paragraph (j)(3) to this
AD accepting those AMOCs. However, we disagree with the commenter's
interpretation that paragraph (h) of this AD applies to any airplane
not identified in Revision 01 of the service bulletin. According to
paragraph (c) of this AD, this AD applies only to the airplanes
identified in Revision 2 of the service bulletin. Therefore, paragraph
(h) of this AD applies to the airplanes identified in Revision 2 (and
equipped
[[Page 52414]]
with forward lavatories), except those on which Revision 01 of the
service bulletin has been previously accomplished. Furthermore, it is
not our intent to require accomplishment of both Revisions 01 and 2.
Therefore, we have added a new paragraph (i) to this AD, which states
that accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (f) of this AD
before the effective date of this AD is acceptable for compliance with
the requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD. We have reidentified the
subsequent paragraphs accordingly.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments that have been 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
There are about 649 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this AD.
Estimated Costs
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Number of U.S.-
Action Work hours Average labor Cost per registered Fleet cost
rate per hour airplane airplanes
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Inspection (required by AD 2003- 1 $80 $80 170 $13,600
03-08).........................
Inspection (new action)......... 1 80 80 254 20,320
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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
removing amendment 39-13032 (68 FR 4900, January 31, 2003) and by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2006-18-05 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-14743. Docket No. FAA-
2006-24585; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-275-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective October 11, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD supersedes AD 2003-03-08.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the McDonnell Douglas airplanes
identified in Table 1 of this AD, certificated in any category, as
identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 2,
dated October 12, 2004.
Table 1.--Affected Airplanes
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Model
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(1) DC-9-14, DC-9-15, and DC-9-15F airplanes.
(2) DC-9-21 airplanes.
(3) DC-9-31, DC-9-32, DC-9-32 (VC-9C), DC-9-32F, DC-9-32F (C-9A, C-9B),
DC-9-33F, DC-9-34, and DC-9-34F airplanes.
(4) DC-9-41 airplanes.
(5) DC-9-51 airplanes.
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Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a report of electrical arcing that
resulted in a fire. We are issuing this AD to prevent contamination
of certain electrical connectors, which could cause electrical
arcing and consequent fire on 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.
Requirements of AD 2003-03-08
One-Time Inspection and Corrective Actions
(f) For airplanes equipped with forward lavatories, as listed in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 01, dated
November 21, 2001: Within 18 months after March 7, 2003 (the
effective date of AD 2003-03-08), perform a one-time general visual
inspection of the disconnect panel at station Y=237.000 in the left
forward cargo compartment to find evidence of contamination (e.g.,
staining or corrosion) of electrical connectors by blue water, and
to determine if a dripshield is installed over the disconnect panel.
Do this inspection according to the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 01, excluding
Evaluation Form, dated November 21, 2001.
(1) If no evidence of contamination of electrical connectors is
found, and a dripshield is installed, no further action is required
by this AD.
[[Page 52415]]
(2) If any evidence of contamination of any electrical connector
is found: Before further flight, remove each affected connector, and
install a new or serviceable connector according to the service
bulletin.
(3) If no dripshield is installed over the disconnect panel:
Before further flight, install a dripshield according to the service
bulletin.
Previously Accomplished Inspections and Corrective Actions
(g) Inspections and corrective actions accomplished before March
7, 2003, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, dated July 31, 2001, are
considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions
specified in paragraph (f) of this AD.
New Requirements of This AD
One-Time Inspection and Corrective Actions
(h) For airplanes equipped with forward lavatories, other than
those identified in paragraph (f) of this AD: Within 18 months after
the effective date of this AD, do the one-time general visual
inspection and applicable corrective actions specified in paragraph
(f) of this AD, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
DC9-24A190, Revision 2, dated October 12, 2004. The applicable
corrective actions must be done before further flight.
Credit for Previous Accomplishment
(i) For airplanes equipped with forward lavatories, as
identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 2,
dated October 12, 2004: Accomplishing the actions specified in
paragraph (f) of this AD before the effective date of this AD is
acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (h) of
this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(j)(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.
(3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2003-03-08
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph
(f) of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(k) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190,
Revision 2, dated October 12, 2004; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
DC9-24A190, Revision 01, excluding Evaluation Form, dated November
21, 2001, as applicable, to perform the actions that are required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-
24A190, Revision 2, dated October 12, 2004, in accordance with 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) On March 7, 2003 (68 FR 4900, January 31, 2003), the
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 01,
excluding Evaluation Form, dated November 21, 2001.
(3) 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/
[fxsp0]federal--register/[fxsp0]code--of--federal--
regulations/[fxsp0]ibr--locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 23, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-14627 Filed 9-5-06; 8:45 am]
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