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

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 21 (Friday, January 31, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4911-4912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1953]



[[Page 4911]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-172-AD; Amendment 39-13033; AD 2003-03-09]
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. This 
AD requires a one-time inspection of the single-phase remote control 
circuit breaker(s) (RCCBs) in a certain area of the electrical/
electronic (E/E) compartment to determine the part number and serial 
number of the RCCB(s), and replacement of certain RCCBs with new or 
serviceable RCCBs, if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent 
failure of an RCCB to trip during an overload condition due to a 
defective braze joint in the RCCB latch assembly, which could result in 
overheating of the RCCB load wire, and consequent smoke and possible 
fire in the E/E compartment of the airplane. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective March 7, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 7, 2003.

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; 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, 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 October 1, 
2002 (67 FR 61569). That action proposed to require a one-time 
inspection of the single-phase remote control circuit breaker(s) 
(RCCBs) in a certain area of the electrical/electronic (E/E) 
compartment to determine the part number and serial number of the 
RCCB(s), and replacement of certain RCCBs with new or serviceable 
RCCBs, 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 86 Model MD-90-30 airplanes of the affected 
design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate 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 inspection, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of this inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$1,260, 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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

2003-03-09 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13033. Docket 2001-NM-
172-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-90-30 airplanes as listed in McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A053, Revision 01, dated 
February 23, 2001; 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

[[Page 4912]]

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 failure of a remote control circuit breaker (RCCB) to 
trip during an overload condition due to a defective braze joint in 
the RCCB latch assembly, which could result in overheating of the 
RCCB load wire, and consequent smoke and possible fire in the 
electrical/electronic (E/E) compartment of the airplane, accomplish 
the following:

Inspection and Replacement, If Necessary

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time inspection of the single-phase RCCB or RCCBs, as 
applicable, at station Y=120.050 in the E/E compartment of the 
airplane to determine the part number and serial number of the 
RCCB(s), per the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas 
Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A053, Revision 01, excluding 
Evaluation Form, dated February 23, 2001.
    (1) If an RCCB has a part number that is not listed in Table 1, 
Figure 1, or Table 2, Figure 2, of the service bulletin, as 
applicable: No further action is required by this AD for that RCCB. 
It is not necessary to report findings to Boeing by completing the 
form in the Appendix of the service bulletin.
    (2) If an RCCB has a part number that is listed in Table 1, 
Figure 1, or Table 2, Figure 2, of the service bulletin, as 
applicable, and the corresponding serial number is not identified in 
that table: No further action is required by this AD for that RCCB. 
It is not necessary to report findings to Boeing by completing the 
form in the Appendix of the service bulletin.
    (3) If an RCCB has a part number that is listed in Table 1, 
Figure 1, or Table 2, Figure 2, of the service bulletin, as 
applicable; and the corresponding serial number is identified in 
that table: Before further flight, replace the RCCB with a new or 
serviceable RCCB per the Accomplishment Instructions of the service 
bulletin. The replacement RCCB must have the same part number as the 
part being replaced, and a serial number that is not identified in 
Table 1, Figure 1, or Table 2, Figure 2, of the service bulletin, as 
applicable. It is not necessary to report findings to Boeing by 
completing the form in the Appendix of the service bulletin.

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 2: 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 actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A053, Revision 01, excluding 
Evaluation Form, dated February 23, 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; 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 March 7, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 22, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-1953 Filed 1-30-03; 8:45 am]
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