Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 158 (Tuesday, August 15, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49728-49730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20242]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-329-AD; Amendment 39-11855; AD 2000-16-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 Series 
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 series 
airplanes, that requires replacement of certain ground block screws 
with new screws; and retermination of the circuit ground wires of the 
electrical power control unit (EPCU) to separate grounding points. This 
amendment is prompted by reports of complete loss of the primary 
electrical power on an airplane during flight. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent a loose electrical ground block of the 
circuit ground wires of the EPCU, which could result in complete loss 
of the primary electrical power of an airplane during flight.

DATES: Effective September 19, 2000. The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of September 19, 2000.

ADDRESSES: 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: 
Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). 
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, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
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: George Mabuni, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 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 series airplanes was published as a supplemental notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on June 12, 2000 (65 
FR 36799). That action proposed to require replacement of certain 
ground block screws with new screws; and retermination of the circuit 
ground wires of the electrical power control unit (EPCU) to separate 
grounding points. That action also proposed to include additional 
airplanes in the applicability.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due

[[Page 49729]]

consideration has been given to the two comments received.
    One commenter has no objection to the proposed rule. The other 
commenter states that it has partially complied with the proposed AD, 
and will be completed within the recommended compliance period.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 104 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 21 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Parts will be procured from 
the operator's stock. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
replacement required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$1,260, or $60 per airplane.
    The FAA also estimates that it will take approximately 1 work hour 
per airplane to accomplish the required retermination of the circuit 
ground wires of the EPCU, and that the average labor rate is $60 per 
work hour. Parts will be procured from the operator's stock. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the retermination required by this AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,260, or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
AD, 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

    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:

2000-16-01  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11855. Docket 99-NM-329-
AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-90-30 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A060, Revision 01, 
dated September 2, 1999 and McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD90-
24-062, dated February 3, 2000; 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 a loose electrical ground block of the circuit ground 
wires of the electrical power control unit (EPCU), which could 
result in complete loss of the primary electrical power of an 
airplane during flight, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 30 days after the effective of this AD, replace the 
electrical ground block screws with new screws in accordance with 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A060, Revision 01, 
dated September 2, 1999.

    Note 2: Accomplishment of the replacement of electrical ground 
block screws prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance 
with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A060, dated 
July 28, 1999, is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of 
paragraph (a) of this AD.

Modification of the Electrical Power Control Unit

    (b) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
reterminate the circuit ground wires of the EPCU to separate 
grounding points to ensure that a single point failure does not 
occur, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate.

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 ACO. 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 3: 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 replacement shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A060, Revision 01, dated 
September 2, 1999. 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: Technical 
Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). Copies 
may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
3960 Paramount

[[Page 49730]]

Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on September 19, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 3, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-20242 Filed 8-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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