Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 7 (Monday, January 12, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1659-1661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-424]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-55-AD; Amendment 39-13429; AD 2004-01-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),

[[Page 1660]]

applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes, that 
requires repetitive inspections of the electric motor of the auxiliary 
hydraulic pump for electrical resistance, continuity, mechanical 
rotation, and associated wiring resistance/voltage; and corrective 
actions, if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent various 
failures of the electric motor of the auxiliary hydraulic pump and 
associated wiring, which could result in fire at the auxiliary 
hydraulic pump and consequent damage to the adjacent electrical 
equipment and/or structure. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective February 17, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 17, 2004.

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 98046, 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: Albert Lam, Aerospace Engineer; 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5346; 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 
717-200 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 1, 
2003 (68 FR 56594). That action proposed to require repetitive 
inspections of the electric motor of the auxiliary hydraulic pump for 
electrical resistance, continuity, mechanical rotation, and associated 
wiring resistance/voltage; and corrective actions, 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.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 95 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 67 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 $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,355, or 
$65 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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-01-15 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13429. Docket 2003-NM-55-
AD.

    Applicability: Model 717-200 airplanes, manufacturer's fuselage 
numbers 5002 through 5200 inclusive; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent various failures of electric motor of the auxiliary 
hydraulic pump and associated wiring, which could result in fire at 
the auxiliary hydraulic pump and consequent damage to the adjacent 
electrical equipment and/or structure, accomplish the following:

Service Bulletin References

    (a) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-
29A0005, dated July 31, 2002. Although the service bulletin 
referenced in this AD specifies to submit certain information to the 
manufacturer, this AD does not include such a requirement.

Initial Inspection and Testing

    (b) Prior to the accumulation of 3,000 total flight hours, or 
within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, do an inspection of the electric motor of the 
auxiliary hydraulic pump for electrical resistance, continuity, 
mechanical rotation, and associated writing resistance/voltage per 
the service bulletin.

Condition 1, No Failures: Repetitive Inspections

    (c) If no failures are detected during any inspection required 
by paragraph (b) of this AD, repeat the inspection thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 5,000 flight hours.

[[Page 1661]]

Condition 2, Failure of Any Pump Motor: Replacement and Repetitive 
Inspections

    (d) If any pump motor fails during any inspection required by 
paragraph (b) of this AD, before further flight, replace the failed 
auxiliary hydraulic pump with a serviceable pump, per the service 
bulletin. Repeat the inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD 
at intervals not to exceed 5,000 flight hours.

Condition 3, Failure of Any Wiring: Repair and Repetitive Inspection

    (e) If any wiring fails during any inspection required by 
paragraph (b) of this AD, before further flight, troubleshoot and 
repair the failed wiring, per the service bulletin. Repeat the 
inspection at intervals not to exceed 5,000 flight hours.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (f) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (g) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 717-29A0005, dated July 31, 2002. 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 
98046, 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

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on February 17, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 31, 2003.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-424 Filed 1-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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