Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-32 Series Airplanes Modified Per Supplemental Type Certificate SA4371NM

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 105 (Thursday, May 31, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29470-29471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-13181]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-207-AD; Amendment 39-12242; AD 2001-11-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-32 Series 
Airplanes Modified Per Supplemental Type Certificate SA4371NM

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-32 series airplanes 
modified per Supplemental Type Certificate SA4371NM, that requires an 
inspection to determine if certain ground wires on the water heater of 
each lavatory are installed, and corrective action, if necessary. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to detect improper grounding 
of a water heater, which, coupled with an internal short in the water 
heater, could result in heat or smoke damage or a fire on the airplane. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective July 5, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from from Hexcel Interiors, 3225 Woburn Street, Bellingham, 
Washington 98226; or 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 Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Don Eiford, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 227-2788; fax (425) 227-1181.

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 all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-
32 series airplanes modified per Supplemental Type Certificate SA4371NM 
was published in the Federal Register on February 15, 2001 (66 FR 
10380). That action proposed to require an inspection to determine if 
certain ground wires on the water heater of each lavatory are 
installed, and corrective action, if necessary.

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.

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 30 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 20 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 inspection, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,200, or 
$60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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

    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.

[[Page 29471]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2001-11-01  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12242. Docket 2000-NM-
207-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-32 series airplanes modified per 
Hexcel Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA4371NM, as listed in 
Hexcel Service Bulletin 110000-25-001, dated March 31, 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 (b) 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 detect improper grounding of a water heater, which, coupled 
with an internal short in the water heater, could result in heat or 
smoke damage or a fire on the airplane, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Corrective Action

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time general visual inspection to determine if ground 
wires are installed between the top of the water heater and the sink 
unit and between the sink unit and the mounting flange of the toilet 
flush timer module on each lavatory, per Hexcel Service Bulletin 
110000-25-001, dated March 31, 2000. If any ground wire is not 
installed, before further flight, install a ground wire assembly per 
the service bulletin.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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, Seattle 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, Seattle ACO.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Hexcel Service 
Bulletin 110000-25-001, dated March 31, 2000. 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 Hexcel Interiors, 3225 Woburn Street, Bellingham, 
Washington 98226; or 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 Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 5, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 18, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-13181 Filed 5-30-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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