[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 5, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 731-733]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-168]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19987; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-203-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 
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 certain McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require replacing eight brake fuses of the hydraulic quantity 
limiter with new or modified and reidentified fuses. This proposed AD 
is prompted by reports indicating that brake fuses of the hydraulic 
quantity limiter of the main landing gear have failed. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent loss of both hydraulic and brake systems if one fuse 
on each hydraulic system were to fail simultaneously, and consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by February 22, 
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-2004-19987; the directorate identifier for this 
docket is 2004-NM-203-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Technical information: Albert Lam, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and 
Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5346; fax (562) 627-5210.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#94f9f5e6f7fdf5bae3f5f8e0f1e6e7d4f2f5f5baf3fbe2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cda0acbfaea4ace3baaca1b9a8bfbe8dabacace3aaa2bb">[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

[[Page 732]]

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-2004-19987; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-203-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 a.m. and 5 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 reports indicating that brake fuses of the 
hydraulic quantity limiter of the main landing gear (MLG) have failed 
on several McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. The failures 
occurred at the brake fuse cap due to fatigue, resulting in hydraulic 
fluid and pressure loss from the affected system. Typically, the 
failure would manifest itself when full braking pressure is applied 
(e.g., at the beginning of a rejected takeoff or when the parking brake 
is set). This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of both 
hydraulic and brake systems if one fuse on each hydraulic system were 
to fail simultaneously, and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-32A0031, dated 
September 10, 2004. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
replacing eight brake fuses of the hydraulic quantity limiter with new 
or modified and reidentified fuses. Accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe 
condition.
    The service bulletin refers to Parker Hanninfin Corporation 
Stratoflex Products Division Service Bulletin 836SD-8-6-20, Revision 1, 
dated June 23, 2004, as an additional source of service information for 
modifying and reidentifying the brake fuses.

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 Boeing service 
information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 133 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet and 103 airplanes on the U.S. registry. The following 
table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with 
this proposed AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Average
                                                  Work      labor                                       Cost per
                    Action                       hours     rate per                Parts                airplane
                                                             hour
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Option 1. Replacement with new brake fuses...          9        $65  No Charge.......................       $585
Option 2. Replacement with modified and               13         65  No Charge.......................        845
 reidentified brake fuses.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 
safe 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;
    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.

[[Page 733]]

    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-2004-19987; Directorate Identifier 
2004-NM-203-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by February 22, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 
airplanes, fuselage numbers 5002 through 5134 inclusive; 
certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports indicating that brake fuses 
of the hydraulic quantity limiter of the main landing gear (MLG) 
have failed. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of both 
hydraulic and brake systems if one fuse on each hydraulic system 
were to fail simultaneously, and consequent reduced controllability 
of the airplane.

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.

Compliance Times

    (f) At the applicable time in Table 1 of this AD, do the action 
required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

                       Table 1.--Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         For airplanes having--                  Compliance time
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Less than 5,000 total flight cycles  Within 3,600 flight cycles
 as of the effective date of this AD.     after the effective date of
                                          this AD.
(2) 5,000 or more total flight cycles    Within 1,500 flight cycles
 as of the effective date of this AD.     after the effective date of
                                          this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Replacement

    (g) Replace the eight brake fuses of the hydraulic quantity 
limiter by doing either Option 1 or Option 2 in Table 2 of this AD 
in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-32A0031, dated 
September 10, 2004.

                          Table 2.--Replacement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Replace eight fuses having part number (P/
          Option--                      N) 7918282-5503 with--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1...........................  New fuses having P/N 7918282-5505.
2...........................  Modified and reidentified fuses having P/N
                               7918282-5505.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-32A0031 refers to 
Parker Hanninfin Corporation Stratoflex Products Division Service 
Bulletin 836SD-8-6-20 Revision 1, dated June 23, 2004, as an 
additional source of service information for modifying and 
reidentifying the brakes fuses.

Parts Installation

    (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
brake fuse, P/N 7918282-5503, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 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 December 27, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-168 Filed 1-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


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