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

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 2, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15476-15478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7410]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-195-AD; Amendment 39-12689; AD 2002-06-11]
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 replacement of the existing strake feed-thru and internal 
electrical connectors with new, moisture-resistant connectors. This 
action is necessary to prevent moisture from entering the strake feed-
thru and internal electrical connectors, which could lead to electrical 
arcing and a consequent fire in the electrical and electronic (E/E) 
compartment of the airplane. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective May 7, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 7, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft

[[Page 15477]]

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; 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: George Mabuni, Senior 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 4, 
2002 (67 FR 537). That action proposed to require replacement of the 
existing strake feed-thru and internal electrical connectors with new, 
moisture-resistant connectors.

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 99 McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 25 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this 
AD, that it will take approximately 14 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required replacement, and that the average labor rate is 
$60 per work hour. Required parts are available at no charge from the 
manufacturer. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $21,000, 
or $840 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of 
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in 
the future if this proposed AD were not adopted. However, the FAA has 
been advised that manufacturer warranty remedies are available for 
labor costs associated with accomplishing the actions required by this 
AD. Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on U.S. 
operators may be less than the cost impact figure indicated above. 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:

2002-06-11  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12689. Docket 2000-NM-
195-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-90-30 airplanes, certificated in any 
category; as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin 
MD90-30A017, Revision 02, dated September 26, 2000.

    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 moisture from entering the strake feed-thru and 
internal electrical connectors, which could lead to electrical 
arcing and a consequent fire in the electrical and electronic (E/E) 
compartment of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Replacement

    (a) Within one year after the effective date of this AD: Replace 
the existing strake feed-thru and internal wire connectors with new 
connectors, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD90-30A017, Revision 02, dated September 26, 2000.

    Note 2: Replacements accomplished prior to the effective date of 
this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin 
MD90-30A017, Revision 01, dated April 3, 2000, or original issue, 
dated August 12, 1998, are considered acceptable for compliance with 
the applicable action specified in 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

[[Page 15478]]

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 McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-30A017, Revision 02, dated 
September 26, 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 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; 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 May 7, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 21, 2002.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-7410 Filed 4-1-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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