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

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 104 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26291-26293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-12521]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0213; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-224-AD; 
Amendment 39-15921; AD 2009-11-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This AD requires installing 
fuses and wire protection in certain wing and fuel tank spars. This AD 
results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent possible damage to the fuel level float or 
pressure switch wires. Such damage could become a potential ignition 
source inside the fuel tank, and, when combined with flammable fuel 
vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of 
the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective July 7, 2009.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of July 7, 2009.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-
0001; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; e-mail

[[Page 26292]]

[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5262; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to 
certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 airplanes. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on March 10, 2009 (74 FR 10202). That 
NPRM proposed to require installing fuses and wire protection in 
certain wing and fuel tank spars.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 15 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this AD.

                                                                 Table--Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        Number of
                                                              Average                                                     U.S.-
              Action                      Work hours         labor rate          Parts             Cost per product     registered       Fleet cost
                                                              per hour                                                  airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installation, depending on group..  20 or 26..............          $80  $1,132 or $1,822.....  $2,732 or $3,902.....           15  $40,980 to $58,530.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2009-11-11 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-15921. Docket No. FAA-
2009-0213; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-224-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 7, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 
airplanes, certificated in any category, excluding fuselage number 
2159.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent possible damage to 
the fuel level float or pressure switch wires. Such damage could 
become a potential ignition source inside the fuel tank, and, when 
combined with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank 
explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within

[[Page 26293]]

the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been 
done.

Installation

    (g) Within 5 years after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, as 
applicable, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-28-012, dated November 19, 2008 (``the 
service bulletin'').
    (1) For Group 1 airplanes identified in the service bulletin, 
install fuel level float switch in-line fuses and wire protection in 
the left and right wing forward spars and center fuel tank forward 
spar, right side.
    (2) For Group 2 airplanes identified in the service bulletin, 
install fuel level float switch in-line fuses and wire protection in 
the left and right wing forward spars, center fuel tank forward 
spar, right side, and forward auxiliary fuel tank, right side; and 
install a fuel pressure switch in-line fuse and wire protection in 
the center fuel tank forward spar, left side.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to Attn: Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion 
Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles ACO, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5262; fax (562) 
627-5210.
    (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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin MD90-28-012, dated 
November 19, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the 
AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-
0001; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 20, 2009.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-12521 Filed 6-1-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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