Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 5, 2001 / Proposed Rules 30101

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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 2000–NM–161–

AD.

Applicability: Model DC–9–81, –82, –83,

and –87 series airplanes, and Model MD–88

airplanes airplanes; as listed in McDonnell

Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80–

24A126, Revision 02, dated September 22,

1999; 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 (b) 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 smoke and fire in the flight

deck and main cabin due to insufficient

clearance between wire assemblies and the

ice protection airduct and airstair door

interlock rod, chafing, and consequent arcing

of wire assemblies, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Modification

(a) Within 6 months after the effective date

of this AD, perform a detailed visual

inspection of wires runs in the electrical/

equipment compartment to detect chafing

and preload against the airduct shroud

assembly of the strake ice protection system

and/or airstair door interlock rod between

stations Y=148.00 and Y=160.000, in

accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert

Service Bulletin MD80–24A126, Revision 02,

dated September 22, 1999.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a

detailed visual inspection is defined as: ‘‘An

intensive visual examination of a specific

structural area, system, installation, or

assembly to detect damage, failure, or

irregularity. Available lighting is normally

supplemented with a direct source of good

lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by

the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror,

magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface

cleaning and elaborate access procedures

may be required.’’

(1) If no chafed or preloaded wire is found,

prior to further flight, install spacers, stastraps, and tie back wire bundles, in

accordance with the service bulletin.

(2) If any chafed or preloaded wire is

found, prior to further flight, repair, and

install spacers, sta-straps, and tie-back wire

bundles, in accordance with the service

bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(b) 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. 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 3: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Los Angles ACO.

Special Flight Permit

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in

accordance with §§ 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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 25,

2001.

Vi L. Lipski,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01–14003 Filed 6–4–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–NM–287–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell

Douglas Model DC–9–10, –20, –30, –40,

and –50 Series Airplanes; and C–9

(Military) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to

certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC–

9–10, –20, –30, –40, and –50 series

airplanes; and C–9 (military) airplanes.

This proposal would require a one-time

visual inspection of circuit breakers to

determine the manufacturer of the

circuit breakers, and corrective action, if

necessary. This action is necessary to

prevent internal overheating and arcing

of circuit breakers and airplane wiring

due to long-term use and breakdown of

internal components of the circuit

breakers, which could result in smoke

and fire in the flight compartment and

main cabin. This action is intended to

address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by

July 20, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99–NM–

287–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00

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. 99–NM–287–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 for

Windows 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

30102 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 5, 2001 / Proposed Rules

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:

• 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.

• For each issue, state what specific

change to the proposed AD is being

requested.

• 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 99–NM–287–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

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

ANM–114, Attention: Rules Docket No.

99–NM–287–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

As part of its practice of re-examining

all aspects of the service experience of

a particular aircraft whenever an

accident occurs, the FAA has become

aware of instances of smoke and

electrical odor in the flight compartment

and cabin area of McDonnell Douglas

Model DC–9 series airplanes.

Investigation revealed that long-term

use and break down of the internal

components of the circuit breakers,

manufactured by Wood Electric

Corporation or Wood Electric Division

of Potter Brumfield Corporation,

attributed to internal overheating and

arcing of the circuit breakers. This

condition, if not corrected, could result

in smoke and fire in the flight

compartment and main cabin.

Other Related Rulemaking

The FAA, in conjunction with Boeing

and operators of McDonnell Douglas

Model DC–9 series airplanes is

continuing to review all aspects of the

service history of those airplanes to

identify potential unsafe conditions and

to take appropriate corrective actions.

This proposed airworthiness directive

(AD) is one of a series of actions

identified during that process. The

process is continuing and the FAA may

consider additional rulemaking actions

as further results of the review become

available.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The FAA has reviewed and approved

McDonnell Douglas Alert Service

Bulletin DC9–24A171, Revision 01,

dated September 21, 1999, which

describes procedures for a one-time

visual inspection of circuit breakers to

determine the manufacturer of the

circuit breakers, and replacement of any

circuit breaker manufactured by Wood

Electric Corporation or Wood Electric

Division of Potter Brumfield

Corporation with a new circuit breaker.

Accomplishment of the actions

specified in the service bulletin is

intended to adequately address the

identified unsafe condition.

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, except as

discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed AD and

Service Bulletin

Operators should note that the

proposed AD would require

replacement of any circuit breaker

manufactured by Wood Electric

Corporation or Wood Electric Division

of Potter Brumfield Corporation with a

new circuit breaker within 18 months

after the effective date of this AD. The

service bulletin recommends that the

replacement should be accomplished

within 12 months from issuance of the

service bulletin. In developing an

appropriate compliance time for this

proposed action, the FAA considered

not only the manufacturer’s

recommendation, but the availability of

required parts. We find that 18 months

represents an appropriate time

allowable wherein an ample number of

required parts will be available for

modification of the U.S. fleet within the

proposed compliance period. We also

find that such a compliance time will

not adversely affect the safety of the

affected airplanes.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 830 Model

DC–9 series airplanes of the affected

design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA

estimates that 540 airplanes of U.S.

registry would be affected by this

proposed AD, that it would take

approximately 80 work hours per

airplane to accomplish the proposed

inspection of circuit breakers (over 700

installed on each airplane), and that the

average labor rate is $60 per work hour.

Based on these figures, the cost impact

of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $2,592,000, or $4,800

per airplane.

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,

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.

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 5, 2001 / Proposed Rules 30103

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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 99–NM–287–

AD.

Applicability: Model DC–9–10, –20, –30,

–40, and –50 series airplanes; and C–9

(military) airplanes, as listed in McDonnell

Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9–24A171,

Revision 01, dated September 21, 1999;

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 internal overheating and arcing

of circuit breakers and airplane wiring due to

long-term use and breakdown of internal

components of the circuit breakers, which

could result in smoke and fire in the flight

compartment and main cabin, accomplish

the following:

Inspection and Replacement, If Necessary

(a) Within 18 months after the effective

date of this AD: Perform a one-time general

visual inspection of circuit breakers to

determine the manufacturer of the circuit

breaker, in accordance with McDonnell

Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9–24A171,

Revision 01, dated September 21, 1999.

Note 2: 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 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.’’

(1) If no Wood Electric Corporation or

Wood Electric Division of Potter Brumfield

Corporation circuit breaker is found, no

further action is required by this AD.

(2) If any Wood Electric Corporation or

Wood Electric Division of Potter Brumfield

Corporation circuit breaker is found, prior to

further flight, replace the circuit breaker with

a new circuit breaker in accordance with the

service bulletin.

Spares

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no

person shall install, on any airplane, a circuit

breaker having a part number listed in

paragraph 1.A.2., ‘‘Spares Affected,’’ of

McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin

DC9–24A171, Revision 01, dated September

21, 1999.

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. 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 3: 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 Permit

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in

accordance with §§ 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.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 25,

2001.

Vi L. Lipski,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,

Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01–14002 Filed 6–4–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001–NM–06–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; BAe

Systems (Operations) Limited Model

BAe 146 and Avro 146–RJ Series

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to

certain BAe Systems (Operations)

Limited Model BAe 146 and Avro 146–

RJ series airplanes. This proposal would

require identifying the discharge valves

and cabin pressure controllers, and

replacing them with new parts if

necessary. This action is necessary to

prevent the installation of incorrect

pressurization discharge valves and

cabin pressure controllers, which could

subject the airframe to excess stress and

adversely affect the airframe fatigue life.

This action is intended to address the

identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by

July 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001–NM–

06–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00

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. 2001–NM–

06–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 for Windows or

ASCII text.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

British Aerospace Regional Aircraft

American Support, 13850 Mclearen

Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171. This

information may be examined at the

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan

Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,

International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2125;

fax (425) 227–1149.

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