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

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 18, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41323-41324]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-15105]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-130-AD; Amendment 39-12782; AD 2002-12-10]
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, that 
requires installation of two arcing protection brackets below and 
behind the circuit breakers located in the generator control rack in 
the electrical/electronics compartment. The actions specified by this 
AD are intended to prevent arcing between circuit breaker terminals and 
adjacent equipment and structure located in the generator control rack 
in the electrical/electronics compartment, which, if not corrected, 
could result in possible electrical shock to maintenance personnel 
during maintenance operations. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective July 23, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 23, 2002.

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: 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical Information: George Y. 
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.
    Other Information: Judy Golder, Airworthiness Directive Technical 
Editor/Writer; telephone (425) 687-4241, fax (425) 227-1232. Questions 
or comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following 
address: [email protected]. Questions or comments sent via the 
Internet as attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft 
Word 97 for Windows or ASCI text.

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 as a supplemental notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on March 21, 2002 (67 FR 
13111). That action proposed to require installation of two arcing 
protection brackets below and behind the circuit breakers located in 
the generator control rack in the electrical/electronics compartment.

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

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule as proposed by the supplemental NPRM.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 26 Model MD-90-30 airplanes of the affected 
design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 13 airplanes of 
U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 
approximately 2 work hours

[[Page 41324]]

per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
$200 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,160, or $320 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

2002-12-10  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12782. Docket 2001-NM-
130-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-90-30 airplanes, certificated in any 
category; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-007, 
Revision 02, dated July 16, 2001.

    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 prevent arcing between circuit breaker terminals and adjacent 
equipment and structure located on the generator control rack in the 
electrical/electronics compartment, and consequent electrical shock 
to maintenance personnel during maintenance operations, accomplish 
the following:

Installation

    (a) Within one year after the effective date of this AD, install 
two arcing protection brackets below and behind the circuit breakers 
located in the generator control rack in the electrical/electronics 
compartment per the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin MD90-24-007, Revision 02, dated July 16, 2001.

    Note 2: Installation of two arcing protection brackets below and 
behind the circuit breakers located in the generator control rack in 
the electrical/electronics compartment per the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-24-007, dated February 
7, 1996; or Revision 01, dated August 31, 2000; is considered 
acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD.

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, 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 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

    (c) 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

    (d) The installation shall be done per Boeing Service Bulletin 
MD90-24-007, Revision 02, dated July 16, 2001. 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

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 23, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 7, 2002.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-15105 Filed 6-17-02; 8:45 am]
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