[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 14, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 74463-74465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27328]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19768; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-184-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require a general visual inspection in the electrical/electronics 
(E/E) compartment for damage of the wire bundle and aft right radio 
rack structure at station 160.000, and corrective actions if necessary. 
This proposed AD would also require modifying the radio rack structure 
and wire bundle routing. This proposed AD is prompted by a report 
indicating that burnt wiring was discovered in the wire bundle at 
station 160.000 in the E/E compartment. We are proposing this AD to 
detect and correct chafing of the wire bundle at station 160.000 
against the support bracket located on the aft right radio rack, which 
could lead to shorted or burnt wires and consequent smoke and fire in 
the E/E compartment.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 28, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> By fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood 
Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service 
Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024).
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket 
number is FAA-2004-19768; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2004-NM-184-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: George Mabuni, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,

[[Page 74464]]

Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5341; fax (562) 
627-5210.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aec3cfdccdc7cf80d9cfc2dacbdcddeec8cfcf80c9c1d8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0865697a6b6169267f69647c6d7a7b486e6969266f677e">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19768; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-184-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    We have received a report indicating that, during operator 
troubleshooting of a chronic ``Stall Ind Failure'' message on an MD-90-
30 airplane, burnt wiring was discovered in the wire bundle at station 
160.000 in the electrical/electronics (E/E) compartment. Operator 
investigation determined that this was caused by chafing of the wire 
bundle against the support bracket located on the aft right radio rack. 
The operator discovered the wire bundle riding the support bracket on 
15 more airplanes and the manufacturer found similar riding and wire 
chafing on two more airplanes. In addition, the manufacturer's 
inspection revealed another location of wire chafing on the aft right 
radio rack. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to shorted or 
burnt wires and consequent smoke and fire in the E/E compartment.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-
24A080, Revision 1, dated August 5, 2004. The service bulletin 
describes procedures for a general visual inspection in the electrical/
electronics (E/E) compartment for damage of the wire bundle and aft 
right radio rack structure at station 160.000, and corrective actions 
if necessary. The corrective actions include repairing or replacing 
damaged wires and repairing any radio rack structural damage. The 
service bulletin also describes procedures for modifying the radio rack 
structure and rerouting the wire assembly. Accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information is intended to adequately address 
the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    In this proposed AD, the ``visual inspection'' specified in the 
Boeing service bulletin is referred to as a ``general visual 
inspection.'' We have included the definition for a general visual 
inspection in Note 1 of this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 105 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 21 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 5 work hours per 
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts 
would cost about $3,479 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $79,884, or 
$3,804 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is 
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. 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.
    This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, the FAA is charged with promoting 
safety 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 AD.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;

[[Page 74465]]

    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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 proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

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

McDonnell Douglas: Docket No. FAA-2004-19768; Directorate Identifier 
2004-NM-184-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by January 28, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 
airplanes; certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report indicating that burnt 
wiring was discovered in the wire bundle at station 160.000 in the 
electrical/electronics (E/E) compartment. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct chafing of the wire bundle at station 160.000 
against the support bracket located on the aft right radio rack, 
which could lead to shorted or burnt wires and consequent smoke and 
fire in the E/E compartment.

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.

Inspection

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a general visual inspection in the E/E compartment for 
damage of the wire bundle and aft right radio rack structure at 
station 160.000; do any applicable corrective actions; and modify 
the radio rack structure and reroute the wire assembly; by 
accomplishing all of the actions specified in the Accomplishment 
Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-
24A080, Revision 1, dated August 5, 2004.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``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 from within touching 
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to 
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This 
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting 
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
droplight 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.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 26, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-27328 Filed 12-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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