FR Doc E7-17844

[Federal Register: September 12, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 176)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51997-52000]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12se07-7]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-26043; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-010-AD;
Amendment 39-15193; AD 2007-19-03]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting
the power conversion distribution unit (PCDU) to determine its part
number, and modifying certain PCDUs. This AD results from reports of
failed PCDUs, the loss of an electrical bus, and the presence of a
strong electrical burning odor in the flight deck and forward cabin. We
are issuing this AD to prevent the loss of an electrical bus due to
PCDU failure, resulting in the loss of all flight displays for an
unacceptable time period, and consequent emergency landing.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 17, 2007.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of October 17,
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation,

Docket Operations, M-30, West Building

[[Page 51998]]

Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 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: Thomas Phan, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5342; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov

or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Operations
office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the ground floor of the
West Building at the DOT street address stated in the ADDRESSES
section.

Discussion

The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all
McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. That supplemental NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on June 6, 2007 (72 FR 31206). That
supplemental NPRM proposed to require inspecting the power conversion
distribution unit (PCDU) to determine its part number, and modifying
certain PCDUs. That supplemental NPRM also proposed to re-identify the
part number reference for the proposed corrective action.

Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. No comments have been received on the
supplemental 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
in the supplemental NPRM.

Costs of Compliance

There are about 137 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet, of which about 108 airplanes are U.S. registered. The
following tables provide the estimated costs for U.S. operators to
comply with this AD. The total fleet cost could be as high as $434,592.

Estimated Costs for Primary Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Labor rate Cost per
Primary actions Work hours per hour Parts cost airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part number identification...................... 1 $80 $0 $80
Modification (Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717- 12 80 0 960
24A0028).......................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Estimated Costs for Concurrent Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Labor rate
Bulletin Work hours per hour Parts cost Cost per airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40EGS22P-24-3................. 6................ $80 $154, per $634.
airplane.
40EGS22P-24-4................. 3................ 80 0................ 240.
40EGS22P-24-6................. 3................ 80 0................ 240.
40EGS22P-24-7................. 1 per PCDU, 80 10 per PCDU, 270 (maximum).
maximum 3 PCDUs maximum 3 PCDUs
per airplane. per airplane.
40EGS22P-24-8................. 10............... 80 0................ 800.
40EGS22P-24-9................. 10............... 80 0................ 800.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

[[Page 51999]]

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):

2007-19-03 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-15193. Docket No. FAA-
2006-26043; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-010-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective October 17, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from reports of failed power conversion
distribution units (PCDUs), the loss of an electrical bus, and the
presence of a strong electrical burning odor in the flight deck and
forward cabin. We are issuing this AD to prevent the loss of an
electrical bus due to PCDU failure, resulting in the loss of all
flight displays for an unacceptable time period, and consequent
emergency landing.

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.

Identification of PCDU Part Number

(f) Within 20 months after the effective date of this AD,
inspect the PCDU to determine its part number. A review of airplane
maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the
part number can be conclusively determined from that review.
(1) If the part number is below 762904E, do the actions
specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.
(2) If the part number is 762904E or higher, no further work is
required by this AD.

Modification

(g) Within 20 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the PCDU in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-
24A0028, Revision 1, dated December 20, 2005. A modification done
before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin 717-24A0028, dated November 24, 2004, is acceptable
for compliance with the requirements of this paragraph.

Note 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-24A0028 refers to
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin 40EGS22P-24-10, Revision 1,
dated May 11, 2005, as an additional source of service information
for the modification.

Concurrent Requirements

(h) Before or concurrently with the modification required by
paragraph (g) of this AD, do the applicable actions specified in
Table 1 of this AD.

Table 1.--Concurrent Requirements
------------------------------------------------------------------------
In accordance with Hamilton
Do the following-- Sundstrand Service Bulletin--

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rework the transformer rectifier unit 40EGS22P-24-3, dated June
assembly (TRU). 30, 2000.
Rework the W3 wiring harness assembly to
install direct lead wires to the TRU
Add a ground wire to the TRU transformer
Add an insulated spacer to the PCDU top
cover
Install new PCDU 186 firmware............. 40EGS22P-24-4, Revision 1,
dated January 2, 2002.
Install new PCDU 186 firmware............. 40EGS22P-24-6, dated July
25, 2002.
Modify the top cover of the PCDU.......... 40EGS22P-24-7, dated
September 3, 2003.
Modify printed wiring board (PWB) 40EGS22P-24-8, dated
assemblies A4 and A5. September 4, 2003.
Check and apply torque seal to fasteners
on the TRU assembly and to PCDU internal
fasteners, as applicable
Modify PWB assembly A4.................... 40EGS22P-24-9, dated
November 19, 2003.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Credit for Accomplishment of Earlier Service Bulletin

(i) Installation of new PCDU 186 firmware before the effective
date of this AD in accordance with Hamilton Sundstrand Service
Bulletin 40EGS22P-24-4, dated April 26, 2001, is acceptable for
compliance with the corresponding 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) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(k) You must use the service documents identified in Table 2 of
this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless
the AD specifies otherwise.

Table 2.--Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service Bulletin Revision level Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717- 1.................................. December 20, 2005.
24A0028.
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin Original........................... June 30, 2000.
40EGS22P-24-3.
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin 1.................................. January 2, 2002.
40EGS22P-24-4.
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin Original........................... July 25, 2002.
40EGS22P-24-6.
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin Original........................... September 3, 2003.
40EGS22P-24-7.
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin Original........................... September 4, 2003.
40EGS22P-24-8.
Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin Original........................... November 19, 2003.
40EGS22P-24-9.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 52000]]

Hamilton Sundstrand Service Bulletin 40EGS22P-24-4, Revision 1,
dated January 2, 2002, has the following effective pages:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page Nos. Revision level shown on page Date shown on page
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8................... 1.................................. January 2, 2002.
2..................................... Original........................... April 26, 2001.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of these documents 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
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html
.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 4, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-17844 Filed 9-11-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P