[Federal Register: April 6, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 66)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 17901-17903]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06ap04-4]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-226-AD; Amendment 39-13556; AD 2004-07-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 airplanes. For
some airplanes, this action requires replacing one 3-phase limiter
block assembly, 6 current limiters, and hardware for 9 electrical
cables with new parts. For other airplanes, this action requires
inspecting 6 current limiters and 3 spare current limiters and
replacing any defective current limiters with new current limiters.
This action is necessary to prevent overheating of the terminal studs
on the 3-phase limiter blocks and associated current limiters, which
could cause a fire in the airplane. This action is intended to address
the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective May 11, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 11, 2004.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 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.
[[Page 17902]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Mabuni, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5341; fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model
MD-90-30 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 7,
2004 (69 FR 900). For some airplanes, that action proposed to require
replacing one 3-phase limiter block assembly, 6 current limiters, and
hardware for 9 electrical cables with new parts. For other airplanes,
that action proposed to require inspecting 6 current limiters and 3
spare current limiters and replacing any defective current limiters
with new current limiters.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
Explanation of Change to Paragraph (e) of the Proposed AD
Paragraph (e) of proposed AD states, ``Although the service
bulletin referenced in this AD specifies that certain information is to
be submitted to the FAA, this AD does not include such requirements.''
The proposed AD references two service bulletins as the appropriate
sources for accomplishing the required actions. Our intent was to refer
specificially to McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A031,
Revision 01, dated February 28, 2001, in paragraph (e). Also, that
service bulletin does not specify to submit certain information to the
FAA, but rather to the airplane manufacturer ``for FAA accountability
purposes.'' Therefore, we have revised paragraph (e) of the final rule
to clarify these points.
Conclusion
The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 29 airplanes in the worldwide fleet which
are listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A031,
Revision 01, dated February 28, 2001. The FAA estimates that 18
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the actions
required in paragraph (b) of this AD, and that the average labor rate
is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
actions required in paragraph (b) of this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $5,655, or $195 per airplane.
There are approximately 4 airplanes in the worldwide fleet which
are listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A031,
Revision 01, dated February 28, 2001, and are also listed as Group 1
airplanes in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A043,
Revision 01, dated March 12, 2001. None of those airplanes are on the
U.S. registry.
There are approximately 5 airplanes in the worldwide fleet which
are listed as Group 2 airplanes in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service
Bulletin MD90-24A043, Revision 01, dated March 12, 2001. The FAA
estimates that 1 airplane of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD,
that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish
the actions required in paragraph (c) of this AD, and that the average
labor rate is $65 per work hour. The manufacturer may cover the cost of
replacement parts associated with this AD, subject to warranty
conditions. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the actions
required in paragraph (c) of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to
be $195.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other
administrative actions.
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
0
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
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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2004-07-12 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13556. Docket 2001-NM-
226-AD.
Applicability: Model MD-90-30 airplanes, as listed in McDonnell
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A031, Revision 01, dated
February 28, 2001, or McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-
24A043, Revision 01, dated March 12, 2001; certificated in any
category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent overheating of the terminal studs on the 3-phase
limiter blocks and associated current limiters, which could cause a
fire in the airplane, accomplish the following:
Inspection and Replacement
(a) For those airplanes listed as Group 1 airplanes in McDonnell
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A043, Revision 01, dated March
12, 2001, which are also listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service
Bulletin MD90-24A031, Revision 01, dated February 28, 2001: Within 6
months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the following
actions:
(1) Inspect the 3 spare current limiters located in the
electrical power center (EPC) in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-
24A043, Revision 01, dated March 12, 2001. If the inspection
[[Page 17903]]
reveals that any of the current limiters located in the electrical
power unit are defective, before further flight replace the
defective current limiter(s) with new current limiter(s) in
accordance with the alert service bulletin.
(2) Prior to or concurrent with accomplishment of paragraph
(a)(1) of this AD, accomplish the following actions in accordance
with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A031, Revision
01, dated February 28, 2001:
(i) Replace the 3-phase limiter block assembly and associated
clear cover of the EPC with a serialized 3-phase limiter block
assembly and a new clear cover.
(ii) Replace the 6 current limiters and attaching parts on the
limiter block with new current limiters and attaching parts.
(iii) Replace hardware for 9 electrical cables attached to the
limiter block with new attaching hardware.
Replacement
(b) For those airplanes listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert
Service Bulletin MD90-24A031, Revision 01, dated February 28, 2001:
Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the
following actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions
of the alert service bulletin:
(1) Replace the 3-phase limiter block assembly and associated
clear cover of the EPC with a serialized 3-phase limiter block
assembly and a new clear cover.
(2) Replace the 6 current limiters and attaching parts on the
limiter block with new current limiters and attaching parts.
(3) Replace hardware for 9 electrical cables attached to the
limiter block with new attaching hardware.
Other Inspection
(c) For those airplanes listed as Group 2 airplanes in McDonnell
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A043, Revision 01, dated March
12, 2001: Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish the following actions in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of the alert service bulletin.
(1) Inspect the 6 current limiters and attaching hardware on the
3-phase limiter blocks and the 3 spare current limiters located in
the EPC to determine whether any of the current limiters are
defective.
(2) If the inspection required by paragraph (c)(1) of this AD
reveals that any of the current limiters are defective, before
further flight replace the defective current limiters with new
current limiters, in accordance with Figure 1 of the Accomplishment
Instructions.
Parts Installation
(d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
on any airplane a Tri-Star 3-phase limiter block assembly having
part number (P/N) C-1301-3 or a Burndy 3-phase limiter block
assembly having P/N F6H-2, unless that 3-phase limiter block
assembly has serial number 3015 or higher.
Information Submission
(e) Although McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-
24A031, Revision 01, dated February 28, 2001, referenced in this AD
specifies that certain information is to be submitted to the
airplane manufacturer, this AD does not include such a requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(f) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(g) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A043, Revision 01, dated March
12, 2001; and McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A031,
Revision 01, dated February 28, 2001; as applicable. 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 Airplanes, 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
(h) This amendment becomes effective on May 11, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 22, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7350 Filed 4-5-04; 8:45 am]
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