Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 5, 2001 / Proposed Rules 30097

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

removing amendment 39–9371 (60 FR

48639, September 20, 1995), and by

adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD), to read as follows:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 2000–NM–163–

AD. Supersedes AD 95–19–09,

Amendment 39–9371.

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

and –87 series airplanes, and Model MD–88

airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service

Bulletin MD80–33A099, Revision 03, dated

January 27, 2000; 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 (d) 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.

Note 2: Actions required by this AD that

were done before the effective date of this AD

per McDonnell Douglas MD–80 Service

Bulletin 33–99, Revision 1, dated February

23, 1995, or Revision 02, dated December 15,

1995, are considered acceptable for

compliance with the requirements of this AD.

To prevent failures of the electrical

connectors, which could result in poor

socket/pin contact, excessive heat, electrical

arcing, and subsequently, connector burn

through and smoke and/or fire in the

passenger cabin, accomplish the following:

General Visual Inspection

(a) At the applicable time indicated in

Table 1 of this AD, do a general visual

inspection to detect damage, burn marks, or

black or brown discoloration caused by

electrical arcing at electrical plugs, having

part number (P/N) MS3126F–15P, and

receptacles, having P/N MS3124E–15S, of the

sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin, per

Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80–33A099,

Revision 03, dated January 27, 2000.

TABLE 1

Affected airplanes Compliance time

(1) DC–9–81, –82, –83, and –87 series airplanes, and MD–88 airplanes, serial numbers 49614, 49626 through 49632 inclusive,

49668, and 49707.

Within 18 months after October 5, 1995 (the effective date of AD 95–

19–09).

(2) Other than those airplanes identified in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD.

Note 3: 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.’’

Corrective Action

(b) If any discrepancy is found during the

inspection required by paragraph (a) of this

AD, before further flight, replace the

damaged connectors, pins, sockets, or wire

with new parts, per Boeing Alert Service

Bulletin MD80–33A099, Revision 03, dated

January 27, 2000.

Modification

(c) At the applicable time indicated in

Table 1 of this AD, modify the electrical

connectors of the sidewall lighting in the

passenger cabin, per Boeing Alert Service

Bulletin MD80–33A099, Revision 03, dated

January 27, 2000. Accomplishment of this

modification constitutes compliance with the

requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(d) 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 4: 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

(e) 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. 01–14005 Filed 6–4–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000–NM–162–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell

Douglas DC–9–81, –82, –83, and –87

Series Airplanes, and Model MD–88

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–

9–81, –82, –83, and –87 series airplanes,

and Model MD–88 airplanes. This

proposal would require replacing the

interface connectors of the cabin

fluorescent lighting ballast in the wiring

harness of the overhead stowage

compartment with new connectors. This

action is necessary to prevent electrical

shorting and arcing due to the presence

of water in the lighting ballast interface

connectors, which could result in smoke

in the 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. 2000–NM–

162–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-anmnprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent

via fax or the Internet must contain

‘‘Docket No. 2000–NM–162–AD’’ in the

subject line and need not be submitted

in triplicate. Comments sent via the

Internet as attached electronic files must

30098 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 5, 2001 / Proposed Rules

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

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 notice 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 notice

must submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 2000–NM–162–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.

2000–NM–162–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 incidents of smoke in the main

cabin on certain McDonnell Douglas

Model DC–9–81, –82, –83, and –87

series airplanes, and Model MD–88

airplanes. Investigation revealed the

presence of water in the lighting ballast

interface connectors, which can cause

electrical shorts and arcing of the

connectors. This condition, if not

corrected, could result in smoke in main

cabin.

Other Related Rulemaking

The FAA, in conjunction with Boeing

and operators of McDonnell Douglas

Model DC–9–81, –82, –83, and –87

series airplanes, and Model MD–88

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 MD80–33A096, Revision 02,

dated November 1, 1999. The service

bulletin describes procedures for

replacing the interface connectors of the

cabin fluorescent lighting ballast in the

wiring harness of the overhead stowage

compartment with new connectors.

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.

Differences Between the Proposed AD

and the Referenced Service Bulletin

Operators should note that, even

though the effectivity listing of the

referenced service bulletin only lists

‘‘MD–80’’ series airplanes, the

manufacturer’s fuselage numbers listed

in the effectivity listing include Model

MD–88 airplanes. Therefore, the

applicability of the proposed AD

includes Model MD–88 airplanes, as

well as Model DC–9–81, –82, –83, and

–87 series airplanes.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 747

airplanes of the affected design in the

worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that

486 airplanes of U.S. registry would be

affected by this proposed AD, that it

would take approximately 15 work

hours per airplane to accomplish the

proposed actions, and that the average

labor rate is $60 per work hour.

Required parts would cost $510 per

airplane. Based on these figures, the cost

impact of the inspections proposed AD

on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$685,260, or $1,410 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

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 5, 2001 / Proposed Rules 30099

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.

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 2000–NM–162–

AD.

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

and –87 series airplanes, and Model MD–88

airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas

Alert Service Bulletin MD80–33A096,

Revision 02, dated November 1, 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 electrical shorting and arcing

due to the presence of water in the lighting

ballast interface connectors, which could

result in smoke in the main cabin,

accomplish the following:

Modification

(a) Within 18 months after the effective

date of this AD, replace the interface

connectors of the cabin fluorescent lighting

ballast in the wiring harness of the overhead

stowage compartment with new connectors,

in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert

Service Bulletin MD80–33A096, Revision 02,

dated November 1, 1999.

Note 2: Replacement of connectors prior to

the effective date of this AD in accordance

with McDonnell Douglas MD80 Service

Bulletin 33–96, dated December 15, 1993; or

Revision 1, dated February 28, 1994; is

considered acceptable for compliance with

the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.

Spares

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

person shall install any connector, part

number MB10R6, on any airplane.

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 Permits

(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. 01–14004 Filed 6–4–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000–NM–161–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell

Douglas Model DC–9–81, –82, –83, and

–87 Series Airplanes, and Model MD–

88 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–

9–81, –82, –83, and –87 series airplanes,

and Model MD–88 airplanes. This

proposal would require a detailed visual

inspection of certain wires to detect

chafing and preload; repair, if necessary;

and modification of certain wire

assemblies. This action is necessary to

prevent insufficient clearance between

wire assemblies and the ice protection

airduct and airstair door interlock rod,

chafing, and consequent arcing of wire

assemblies. Such arcing could result in

damage to electronic equipment and

adjacent structure, or cause the

insulation blankets to ignite, which

could result in smoke and fire in the

flight deck 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. 2000–NM–

161–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-anmnprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent

via fax or the Internet must contain

‘‘Docket No. 2000–NM–161–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: