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

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 6, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17901-17903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7350]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-226-AD; Amendment 39-13556; AD 2004-07-12]
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. For 
some airplanes, this action requires replacing one 3-phase limiter 
block assembly, 6 current limiters, and hardware for 9 electrical 
cables with new parts. For other airplanes, this action requires 
inspecting 6 current limiters and 3 spare current limiters and 
replacing any defective current limiters with new current limiters. 
This action is necessary to prevent overheating of the terminal studs 
on the 3-phase limiter blocks and associated current limiters, which 
could cause a fire in the airplane. This action is intended to address 
the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective May 11, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 11, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 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.

[[Page 17902]]


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 January 7, 
2004 (69 FR 900). For some airplanes, that action proposed to require 
replacing one 3-phase limiter block assembly, 6 current limiters, and 
hardware for 9 electrical cables with new parts. For other airplanes, 
that action proposed to require inspecting 6 current limiters and 3 
spare current limiters and replacing any defective current limiters 
with new current limiters.

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.

Explanation of Change to Paragraph (e) of the Proposed AD

    Paragraph (e) of proposed AD states, ``Although the service 
bulletin referenced in this AD specifies that certain information is to 
be submitted to the FAA, this AD does not include such requirements.'' 
The proposed AD references two service bulletins as the appropriate 
sources for accomplishing the required actions. Our intent was to refer 
specificially to McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A031, 
Revision 01, dated February 28, 2001, in paragraph (e). Also, that 
service bulletin does not specify to submit certain information to the 
FAA, but rather to the airplane manufacturer ``for FAA accountability 
purposes.'' Therefore, we have revised paragraph (e) of the final rule 
to clarify these points.

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 29 airplanes in the worldwide fleet which 
are listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A031, 
Revision 01, dated February 28, 2001. The FAA estimates that 18 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the actions 
required in paragraph (b) of this AD, and that the average labor rate 
is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
actions required in paragraph (b) of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $5,655, or $195 per airplane.
    There are approximately 4 airplanes in the worldwide fleet which 
are listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A031, 
Revision 01, dated February 28, 2001, and are also listed as Group 1 
airplanes in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A043, 
Revision 01, dated March 12, 2001. None of those airplanes are on the 
U.S. registry.
    There are approximately 5 airplanes in the worldwide fleet which 
are listed as Group 2 airplanes in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD90-24A043, Revision 01, dated March 12, 2001. The FAA 
estimates that 1 airplane of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, 
that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the actions required in paragraph (c) of this AD, and that the average 
labor rate is $65 per work hour. The manufacturer may cover the cost of 
replacement parts associated with this AD, subject to warranty 
conditions. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the actions 
required in paragraph (c) of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $195.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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:

2004-07-12 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13556. Docket 2001-NM-
226-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-90-30 airplanes, as listed in McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A031, Revision 01, dated 
February 28, 2001, or McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-
24A043, Revision 01, dated March 12, 2001; certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent overheating of the terminal studs on the 3-phase 
limiter blocks and associated current limiters, which could cause a 
fire in the airplane, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Replacement

    (a) For those airplanes listed as Group 1 airplanes in McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A043, Revision 01, dated March 
12, 2001, which are also listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD90-24A031, Revision 01, dated February 28, 2001: Within 6 
months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the following 
actions:
    (1) Inspect the 3 spare current limiters located in the 
electrical power center (EPC) in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-
24A043, Revision 01, dated March 12, 2001. If the inspection

[[Page 17903]]

reveals that any of the current limiters located in the electrical 
power unit are defective, before further flight replace the 
defective current limiter(s) with new current limiter(s) in 
accordance with the alert service bulletin.
    (2) Prior to or concurrent with accomplishment of paragraph 
(a)(1) of this AD, accomplish the following actions in accordance 
with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A031, Revision 
01, dated February 28, 2001:
    (i) Replace the 3-phase limiter block assembly and associated 
clear cover of the EPC with a serialized 3-phase limiter block 
assembly and a new clear cover.
    (ii) Replace the 6 current limiters and attaching parts on the 
limiter block with new current limiters and attaching parts.
    (iii) Replace hardware for 9 electrical cables attached to the 
limiter block with new attaching hardware.

Replacement

    (b) For those airplanes listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert 
Service Bulletin MD90-24A031, Revision 01, dated February 28, 2001: 
Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the 
following actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of the alert service bulletin:
    (1) Replace the 3-phase limiter block assembly and associated 
clear cover of the EPC with a serialized 3-phase limiter block 
assembly and a new clear cover.
    (2) Replace the 6 current limiters and attaching parts on the 
limiter block with new current limiters and attaching parts.
    (3) Replace hardware for 9 electrical cables attached to the 
limiter block with new attaching hardware.

Other Inspection

    (c) For those airplanes listed as Group 2 airplanes in McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A043, Revision 01, dated March 
12, 2001: Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the following actions in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the alert service bulletin.
    (1) Inspect the 6 current limiters and attaching hardware on the 
3-phase limiter blocks and the 3 spare current limiters located in 
the EPC to determine whether any of the current limiters are 
defective.
    (2) If the inspection required by paragraph (c)(1) of this AD 
reveals that any of the current limiters are defective, before 
further flight replace the defective current limiters with new 
current limiters, in accordance with Figure 1 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions.

Parts Installation

    (d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane a Tri-Star 3-phase limiter block assembly having 
part number (P/N) C-1301-3 or a Burndy 3-phase limiter block 
assembly having P/N F6H-2, unless that 3-phase limiter block 
assembly has serial number 3015 or higher.

Information Submission

    (e) Although McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-
24A031, Revision 01, dated February 28, 2001, referenced in this AD 
specifies that certain information is to be submitted to the 
airplane manufacturer, this AD does not include such a requirement.

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 McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A043, Revision 01, dated March 
12, 2001; and McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-24A031, 
Revision 01, dated February 28, 2001; as applicable. 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 Airplanes, 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

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on May 11, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 22, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7350 Filed 4-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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