[Federal Register: October 2, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 191)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 56794-56796]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02oc03-10]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-31-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

 
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC9-15 Airplane

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to a McDonnell Douglas Model DC9-15 
airplane. This proposal would require an inspection to detect chafing 
or overheat damage of the electrical wires located at fuselage station 
Y=110.000 bulkhead of the lower nose left tunnel; and corrective 
actions, if necessary. This AD also requires replacing the external 
power ground stud with a new ground stud using new attaching parts, 
torquing new attachments, and installing a nameplate. This action is 
necessary to prevent loose external power ground wires, which could 
cause arcing and overheated wire insulation and consequent smoke/fire 
in the cockpit. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 17, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-31-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2003-NM-31-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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 FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elvin Wheeler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5344; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    [sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2003-NM-31-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the

[[Page 56795]]

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 2003-NM-31-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of loose external power ground wires 
at the ground stud located in the lower nose left tunnel at fuselage 
station Y=110.00 bulkhead on certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-82 
airplanes. The cause of such loose wires has been attributed to ground 
stud buildup loosening due to normal airplane vibration. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in arcing and overheated wire 
insulation and consequent smoke/fire in the cockpit.

Other Relevant Rulemaking

    We have previously issued AD 2001-24-19, amendment 39-12536 (66 FR 
64125, December 12, 2001), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas 
airplane models, as follows:

    McDonnell Douglas Models
    DC-9-10, DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 series airplanes
    C-9 airplanes
    DC-9-81, DC-9-82, DC-9-83, and
    DC-9-87 airplanes
    MD-88 airplanes

    That AD requires an inspection to detect chafing or overheat damage 
of the electrical wires located at fuselage station Y=110.000 bulkhead 
of the lower nose left tunnel; and corrective actions, if necessary. 
That AD also requires replacing the external power ground stud with a 
new ground stud using new attaching parts, torquing new attachments, 
and installing a nameplate. That AD was prompted by reports of loose 
external power ground wires at the ground stud located in the lower 
nose left tunnel at fuselage station Y=110.00 bulkhead on McDonnell 
Douglas Model DC-9-82 series airplanes. The actions specified by that 
AD are intended to prevent loose external power ground wires, which 
could cause arcing and overheated wire insulation and consequent smoke/
fire in the cockpit.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since issuance of that AD, the FAA was advised that one Model DC9-
15 airplane (fuselage number 0097) was omitted inadvertently from the 
applicability of AD 2001-24-19 because the airplane had been excluded 
inadvertently from the effectivity of Section I.A. of McDonnell Douglas 
Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A135, Revision 01, dated May 1, 2000, as 
cited in AD 2001-24-19. Therefore, the additional airplane is also 
subject to the same unsafe condition addressed in AD 2001-24-19.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
DC9-24A135, Revision 02, dated January 7, 2003, which describes 
procedures that are essentially the same as those procedures included 
in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A135, Revision 01, 
dated May 1, 2000. This revision also adds an additional airplane 
fuselage number to the effectivity. No more work is necessary on 
airplanes changed as shown in Revision 01 of the service bulletin. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in AD 2001-24-19 is 
acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this proposed AD.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously.
    Since this proposed AD expands the applicability of AD 2001-24-19, 
the FAA has considered a number of factors in determining whether to 
issue a new AD or to supersede the existing AD. The FAA has considered 
the entire fleet size that would be affected by superseding AD 2001-24-
19 and the consequent workload associated with revising maintenance 
record entries. In light of this, the FAA has determined that a less 
burdensome approach is to issue a separate AD applicable only to the 
additional airplane. This proposed AD would not supersede AD 2001-24-
19; airplanes listed in the applicability of AD 2001-24-19 are required 
to continue to comply with the requirements of that AD. This proposed 
AD is a separate AD action, and is applicable to only one McDonnell 
Douglas Model DC9-15 airplane (fuselage number 0097), certificated in 
any category.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the Proposed AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance (AMOCs). Because we have now included this material in part 
39, only the office authorized to approve AMOCs is identified in each 
individual AD.

Change to Labor Rate Estimate

    We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several 
years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various 
inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to 
increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work 
hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects 
this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 1 Model DC-9-15 airplane, having fuselage 
number 0097, of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, 
that it would take approximately 2 work hours to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $35. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the proposed AD on the U.S. operator is estimated to 
be $165.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of 
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in 
the future if this proposed 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 proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact, 
positive or negative,

[[Page 56796]]

on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy of the draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it 
may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided 
under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 2003-NM-31-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-15 airplane, fuselage number 0097; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loose external power ground wires, which could cause 
arcing and overheated wire insulation and consequent smoke/fire in 
the cockpit, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
general visual inspection to detect chafing or overheat damage of 
the electrical wires located at fuselage station Y=110.000 bulkhead 
of the lower nose left tunnel, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
DC9-24A135, Revision 02, dated January 7, 2003.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

Condition 1 (No Chafing or Damage)

    (b) If no chafing or overheat damage is detected during the 
inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, within 18 months 
after the effective date of this AD, do the actions specified in 
paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of this AD per Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin DC9-24A135, Revision 02, dated January 7, 2003.
    (1) Replace the external power ground stud with a new ground 
stud using new attaching parts.
    (2) Torque the new attachments.
    (3) Install nameplate (includes applying silicone primer and 
adhesive/sealant).

Condition 2 (Chafing or Damage Within Limits)

    (c) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this 
AD, any chafing or damage is detected within the limits referenced 
in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A135, Revision 02, dated 
January 7, 2003, before further flight, repair damage; perform a 
continuity test to check the integrity of the wiring, and repair as 
applicable; and do the actions required by paragraphs (b)(1), 
(b)(2), and (b)(3) of this AD; per the alert service bulletin.

Condition 3 (Chafing or Damage Beyond Limits)

    (d) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this 
AD, any chafing or damage is detected beyond the limits referenced 
in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A135, Revision 02, dated 
January 7, 2003, before further flight, replace any damaged wire 
with a new wire; perform a continuity test to check the integrity of 
the wiring, and repair as applicable; and do the actions required by 
paragraphs (b)(1), (b)(2), and (b)(3) of this AD; per the alert 
service bulletin.

Accomplishment of the Actions

    (e) Accomplishment of the actions specified in AD 2001-24-19, 
amendment 39-12536, is acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of this proposed AD.

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 for this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 26, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-24974 Filed 10-1-03; 8:45 am]

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