[Federal Register: November 26, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 228)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 70682-70684]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26no02-6]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-375-AD; Amendment 39-12960; AD 2002-23-16]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This
action requires replacement of the Captain's and First Officer's chart
holder assemblies on the cockpit control columns with new, improved
assemblies. This action is necessary to prevent interference between
the cockpit control wheels and the chart holder assembly, which could
result in restricted movement of the control wheel travel when rotating
the right- and left-wing-down, and consequent reduced controllability
of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified
unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective December 11, 2002.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 11, 2002.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before January 27, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-375-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-iarcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-375-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood
Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service
Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). This information may be examined
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Sujishi, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems & Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5353; fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received information from an MD-
90 flight simulator manufacturer of an interference problem between the
cockpit control wheels and the Captain's and First Officer's chart
holder assemblies on the cockpit control columns. Investigation
revealed that when the control wheels are rotated both right-wing-down
and left-wing-down, the grips/horns strike the left and right edge of
the existing chart holders. Such interference restricts movement to a
maximum of 107 to 109 degrees. The roll control tab stops are set at
116 degrees (no air load), and the travel-to-wheel stops are identified
as 135 degrees. Such interference, if not corrected, could result in
restricted movement of the control wheel travel when rotating the
right- and left-wing-down, and consequent reduced controllability of
the airplane.
[[Page 70683]]
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD90-
25A070, excluding Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February 26,
2002, which describes procedures for replacement of the Captain's and
First Officer's chart holder assemblies located on the cockpit control
columns, with new, improved assemblies. The service bulletin also
references the airplane maintenance manual which describes procedures
for a functional test after doing the replacement. Accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately
address the identified unsafe condition.
Explanation of Requirements of the Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design that may be
registered in the United States at some time in the future, the actions
are required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin
described previously, except that the AD does not require completing
the Evaluation Form.
Cost Impact
None of the Model MD-90-30 airplanes affected by this action are on
the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of this
rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign
registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action.
However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that
the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these
subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the
future.
Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S.
Register in the future, it would require approximately 1 work hour to
accomplish the required replacement, at an average labor rate of $60
per work hour. Parts will be provided by the manufacturer at no cost to
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the replacement
required by this AD would be $60 per airplane.
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no
additional burden on any person. Therefore, prior notice and public
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this
rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may
desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be
submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional
rulemaking action would be needed.
Submit comments using the following format:
[sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the AD is
being requested.
[sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each
request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2001-NM-375-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped
and returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
2002-23-16 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12960. Docket 2001-NM-
375-AD.
Applicability: Model MD-90-30 airplanes, as listed in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin MD90-25A070, Revision 01, dated February 26,
2002; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent interference between the cockpit control wheels and
the chart holder assembly, which could result in restricted movement
of the control wheel travel when rotating the right- and left-wing-
down, and
[[Page 70684]]
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
Replacement
(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD:
Replace the Captain's and First Officer's chart holder assemblies on
the cockpit control columns with new assemblies (including a
functional test after replacement), per Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin MD90-25A070, excluding Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated
February 26, 2002.
Replacement Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin
(b) Accomplishment of the replacement before the effective date
of this AD per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD90-25A070, dated
November 8, 2001, is considered acceptable for compliance with
paragraph (a) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add
comments and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) The actions shall be done per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
MD90-25A070, excluding Evaluation Form, Revision 01, dated February
26, 2002. This incorporation by reference was approved by the
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial
Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long
Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management,
Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). Copies may be inspected at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite
700, Washington, DC.
Effective Date
(f) This amendment becomes effective on December 11, 2002.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 14, 2002.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-29804 Filed 11-25-02; 8:45 am]
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