Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 20, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33852-33854]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11673]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27152; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-219-AD; 
Amendment 39-15105; AD 2007-13-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. This AD requires 
installing a certain junction(s) and changing the wiring of the first 
officer's pitot static heater system. This AD results from a report of 
temporary loss of the auto-flight function with displays of suspect or 
erratic airspeed indications. We are issuing this AD to prevent display 
of suspect or erratic airspeed indications during heavy rain 
conditions, which could reduce the ability of the flightcrew to 
maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 25, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of July 25, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and

[[Page 33853]]

Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for service information 
identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daniel Bui, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5339; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Operations 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 
located on the ground floor of the West Building at the street address 
stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain McDonnell 
Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on February 14, 2007 (72 FR 6973). That NPRM proposed to 
require installing a certain junction(s) and changing the wiring of the 
first officer's pitot static heater system.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received.

Support for the Proposed Rule

    AirTran Airways and the National Transportation Safety Board 
support the proposed actions as described in the NPRM.

Request To Revise ``Relevant Service Information'' Section of the NPRM

    Boeing requests that we revise the ``Relevant Service Information'' 
section of the NPRM to include the following wording: ``The service 
bulletin describes procedures for changing the first officer's pitot 
heater wiring to separate the first officer's pitot sensor heater 
ground from the captain's and auxiliary pitot sensor heater grounds. In 
addition, to meet system independence, the captain, first officer, and 
auxiliary pitot sensor's heaters are also activated using the air/
ground sensing system.'' Boeing explains that there are more electrical 
parts than just the ``junction'' to re-wire this system. The revision 
clarifies the subsequent actions in the service bulletin.
    We agree that the suggested wording adds clarification. However, 
since that section of the preamble does not reappear in the final rule, 
no change to the final rule is necessary.

Request To Revise Paragraph (f) of the NPRM

    Boeing also requests that we revise paragraph (f) of the NPRM to 
delete the reference to only one electrical component. Boeing explains 
that there are several electrical items (delete wire, add new wire, 
sockets, junction, etc.) to implement the wiring changes to this 
system, and that it is only necessary to refer to Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin 717-30A0003, Revision 2, dated November 28, 2006, for this 
information. (We referred to Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-30A0003, 
Revision 2, in the NPRM as the appropriate source of service 
information for accomplishing the required actions.)
    We agree with Boeing that there are several electrical items 
required to implement the wiring changes specified in paragraph (f) of 
the NPRM. The paragraph, as stated in the NPRM, did not include all of 
those items. We also agree that referring only to the service bulletin 
in that paragraph will ensure that all items are included. Therefore, 
we have revised paragraph (f) of this AD to state: ``Within 24 months 
after the effective date of this AD, change the wiring for the air data 
sensor heating system, by accomplishing all the actions specified in 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-
30A0003, Revision 2, dated November 28, 2006.''

Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph

    We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure 
for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD with the changes described previously. 
We have determined that these changes will neither increase the 
economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 155 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 123 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The actions take between 4 and 16 work hours per airplane depending on 
the airplane configuration, at an average labor rate of $80 per work 
hour. The manufacturer states that it will supply required parts to the 
operators at no cost. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the 
AD for U.S. operators is between $39,360 and $157,440, or between $320 
and $1,280 per airplane, depending on the airplane configuration.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

[[Page 33854]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-13-01 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-15105. Docket No. FAA-
2007-27152; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-219-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective July 25, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 717-30A0003, Revision 2, dated November 28, 
2006.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of temporary loss of the auto-
flight function with displays of suspect or erratic airspeed 
indications. We are issuing this AD to prevent display of suspect or 
erratic airspeed indications during heavy rain conditions, which 
could reduce the ability of the flightcrew to maintain the safe 
flight and landing of the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Installation and Wiring Change

    (f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, change 
the wiring for the air data sensor heating system, by accomplishing 
all the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-30A0003, Revision 2, dated 
November 28, 2006.
    (g) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-30A0003, Revision 
1, dated March 2, 2006, are acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding provisions of paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-30A0003, 
Revision 2, dated November 28, 2006, to perform the actions that are 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of 
this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data 
and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for a copy of this 
service information. You may review copies at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 8, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service. 8
 [FR Doc. E7-11673 Filed 6-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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