[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 88 (Friday, May 5, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26124-26126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11059]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-99-AD; Amendment 39-11713; AD 2000-07-51]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

[[Page 26125]]


ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment 
adopting airworthiness directive (AD) 2000-07-51 that was sent 
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of McDonnell Douglas 
Model 717-200 series airplanes by individual notices. This AD requires 
coiling and stowing of electrical wires between the glareshield control 
panel and the Integrated Standby Instrument System; and revising the 
abnormal procedures of the Procedures section of the Airplane Flight 
Manual to include procedures for identifying and pulling certain 
circuit breakers if the altimeter Captain's Primary Flight Display 
(PFD) data become unreliable. This action is prompted by a report of 
two incidents in which an intermittent loss of altitude data occurred 
simultaneously on the Captain's PFD, First Officer's PFD, and the 
Integrated Standby Instrument System (ISIS) altitude display due to a 
voltage drop in the power distribution control unit. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of all altitude 
information and subsequent essential navigation data for continued safe 
flight and landing.

DATES: Effective May 10, 2000, to all persons except those persons to 
whom it was made immediately effective by emergency AD 2000-07-51, 
issued April 1, 2000, which contained the requirements of this 
amendment.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 10, 2000.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before July 5, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-99-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    The applicable service information may be obtained from Boeing 
Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood 
Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical 
Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). This 
information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Thomas Phan, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5342; 
fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 1, 2000, the FAA issued emergency 
AD 2000-07-51, which is applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model 717-
200 series airplanes.
    The FAA has received a report of two incidents in which an 
intermittent loss of altitude data occurred simultaneously on the 
Captain's Primary Flight Display (PFD), First Officer's PFD, and the 
Integrated Standby Instrument System (ISIS) altitude display due to a 
voltage drop in the power distribution control unit. Additional 
intermittent loss of cockpit indications included the glareshield 
control panel data, navigation data, flight management computer 
mismatch annunciation, autopilot disconnect, and autothrottle 
disconnect. In both cases, the airspeed and attitude indication 
remained operational. The flights continued on to their destination 
without further incident. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in loss of all altitude information and subsequent essential 
navigation data for continued safe flight and landing.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
717-34A0002, dated March 30, 2000, which describes procedures for 
coiling and stowing of electrical wires between the glareshield control 
panel and the ISIS.
    The FAA also has reviewed and approved Boeing Interim Operating 
Procedure (IOP) 2-17, dated March 31, 2000, which describes procedures 
for identifying and pulling certain circuit breakers if the altimeter 
primary flight display data (PFD) become unreliable.

Explanation of Requirements of the Rule

    Since the unsafe condition described is likely to exist or develop 
on other airplanes of the same type design, the FAA issued emergency AD 
2000-07-51 to prevent loss of all altitude information and subsequent 
essential navigation data for continued safe flight and landing. The AD 
requires coiling and stowing of electrical wires between the 
glareshield control panel and the Integrated Standby Instrument System; 
and revising the abnormal procedures of the Procedures section of the 
Airplane Flight Manual to include procedures for identifying and 
pulling certain circuit breakers if the altimeter PFD data become 
unreliable. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance 
with the alert service bulletin and IOP previously described.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider additional rulemaking.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this AD effective in less than 30 days.
    Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required, 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause 
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual notices 
issued on April 1, 2000, to all known U.S. owners and operators of 
McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 series airplanes. These conditions 
still exist, and the AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as 
an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 39.13) to make it effective to all persons.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.

[[Page 26126]]

    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-99-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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

    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

    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:

2000-07-51  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11713. Docket 2000-NM-
99-AD.

    Applicability: All Model 717-200 series airplanes, certificated 
in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loss of all altitude information and subsequent 
essential navigation data for continued safe flight and landing, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Prior to further flight, coil and stow the electrical wires 
between the glareshield control panel and the Integrated Standby 
Instrument System in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
717-34A0002, dated March 30, 2000.
    (b) Prior to further flight, revise the abnormal procedures of 
the Procedures section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual 
(AFM) to include procedures for identifying and pulling certain 
circuit breakers. This must be accomplished by inserting Boeing 
Interim Operating Procedure 2-17, dated March 31, 2000, into the 
AFM.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin 717-34A0002, dated March 30, 2000; and Boeing 
Interim Operating Procedure 2-17, dated March 31, 2000. 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 Aircraft Group, 
Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 
90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business Administration, 
Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on May 10, 2000, to all 
persons except those persons to whom it was made immediately 
effective by emergency AD 2000-07-51, issued on April 1, 2000, which 
contained the requirements of this amendment.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 27, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-11059 Filed 5-4-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U