95-58. Airworthiness Directives; Aerospace Lighting Corporation Power Units and Power Supplies

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 4, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 382-384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-58]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-ANE-31]


Airworthiness Directives; Aerospace Lighting Corporation Power 
Units and Power Supplies

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Aerospace Lighting 
Corporation (ALC) lamp connectors and fluorescent lamps, that currently 
requires an inspection, and adjustment or replacement of improperly 
installed, damaged, or improperly configured lamp connectors and 
fluorescent lamps used in cabin fluorescent lighting systems. This 
action would add an optional replacement of certain power units and 
power supplies with improved design parts as terminating action to the 
repetitive inspections. This proposal is prompted by the availability 
of improved design components. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to prevent smoke, fire, electrical shock, and possible 
electromagnetic interference caused by high voltage arcing in the cabin 
which, if undetected, could result in personal hazard or loss of the 
aircraft.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 6, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-ANE-31, 12 New England 
Executive Park, Burlington, MA 01803-5299. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Aerospace Lighting Corporation, 101-8 Colin Drive, 
Holbrook, NY 11741; telephone [phone], fax [phone]. This 
information may be examined at the FAA, New England Region, Office of 
the Assistant Chief Counsel, 12 New England Executive Park, Burlington, 
MA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bradford Chin, Electronics Engineer, 
New York Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Engine and Propeller 
Directorate, 181 South Franklin Ave., Room 202, Valley Stream, NY 
11581; telephone [phone], fax [phone].

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 should 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.
    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 94-ANE-31.'' 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, New England Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-ANE-31, 12 New England Executive Park, 
Burlington, MA 01803-5299.

Discussion

    On June 14, 1990, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued 
airworthiness directive (AD) 90-14-06, [[Page 383]] Amendment 39-6640 
(55 FR 27457, July 3, 1990), applicable to Aerospace Lighting 
Corporation (ALC) lamp connectors, Part Number (P/N) 31.85.1.A, and 
Series 66 fluorescent lamps. That AD requires initial and repetitive 
inspections, and adjustment or replacement of improperly installed, 
damaged, or improperly configured lamp connectors and fluorescent lamps 
used in cabin fluorescent lighting systems. That action was prompted by 
reports of cabin lighting systems that are not properly installed, are 
damaged, or are improperly configured. That condition, if not 
corrected, could result in smoke, fire, electrical shock, and possible 
electromagnetic interference caused by high voltage arcing in the cabin 
which, if undetected, could result in personal hazard or loss of the 
aircraft.
    Since the issuance of that AD, the manufacturer has developed 
improved design protected power units that have an internal safety 
circuit which monitors output voltage produced. If the output voltage 
increases as a result of a fault condition, the safety circuit will 
activate and cause the input power to the protected power unit to be 
disconnected. In addition, the manufacturer has developed improved 
design protected power supplies that have system output faults which 
react by preventing output power production. The protected power 
supplies are equipped with circuit output protection circuitry that 
monitors the protected power supply's output circuit and will 
immediately shut down the protected power supply if a fault condition 
occurs.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved the technical contents of the 
following ALC Installation Instructions (II): AL-11023M, Revision A, 
dated May 20, 1994; AL-11024M, dated March 15, 1992; and AL-11025M, 
dated March 15, 1992. These II's describe procedures for installing 
improved design protected power units, and protected power supplies, as 
applicable. In addition, ALC has issued Information Bulletin No. IB 90-
001, which describes procedures for initial and repetitive inspections 
of the cabin fluorescent lighting system.
    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 supersede AD 90-14-06 to continue to require an 
inspection, and adjustment or replacement of improperly installed, 
damaged, or improperly configured lamp connectors and fluorescent lamps 
used in cabin fluorescent lighting systems. This proposed AD adds an 
optional replacement of power units, and power supplies and dimmers, 
with improved design protected power units, and protected power 
supplies, as applicable. Installation of these protected power units 
and protected power supplies constitutes terminating action to the 
repetitive inspections.
    The FAA estimates that it would take approximately 3 work hours per 
power unit or power supply to accomplish the proposed actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately $5000 per power unit or power supply. Based on these 
figures, the impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $5,165 per power unit or power supply.
    The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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.

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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [AMENDED]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-6640 (55 FR 
27457, July 3, 1990) and by adding a new airworthiness directive to 
read as follows:

Aerospace Lighting Corporation: Docket No. 94-ANE-31. Supersedes AD 
90-14-06, Amendment 39-6640.

    Applicability: Aerospace Lighting Corporation (ALC) lamp 
connectors, Part Number (P/N) 31.85.1.A; Series 66 fluorescent 
lamps; power units, P/N's TR-991, TR-992, AL-0546, and AL-0514; and 
power supplies, P/N's 1895D and AL-0598. These products are utilized 
in cabin fluorescent lighting systems, and are installed on, but not 
limited to, the following aircraft: Airbus Industrie Model A310; 
Avion Marcel Dassault Breguet Aviation Model Falcon 10; Beech 
Aircraft Corporation Model 400A; Boeing Airplane Company Models 727, 
737, 747, and 757; British Aerospace Model HS.125-600A and -700A; 
Canadair Ltd. Models CL-600-1A11, CL-600-2A12, and CL-600-2B16; 
Cessna Aircraft Company Models 550 and 560; Dassault Aviation Models 
Mystere-Falcon 20 and 50; Empresa Brasileira de Aeronauctica S/A 
Model Embraer EMB-120; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Models G-
159, G-1159, G-1159A, and G-IV; Israel Aircraft Industrie, Ltd. 
Models 1124 and 1125; Jetstream Aircraft, Ltd. Jetstream Model 310; 
Learjet Corporation Models Learjet 35 and 36; Saab Aircraft AB Model 
Saab 340A; and Sikorsky Aircraft Division Model S-76A.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent smoke, fire, electrical shock, and possible 
electromagnetic interference caused by high voltage arcing in the 
cabin which, if undetected, could result in personal hazard or loss 
of the aircraft, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 calendar days of the effective date of this 
airworthiness directive (AD), accomplish the following:
    (1) Inspect the cabin fluorescent lighting system in accordance 
with ALC Information Bulletin No. IB 90-001, paragraph IV. 
``Fluorescent Lighting System Components Identification and 
Inspection Procedure,'' subparagraphs B.1, 2., 3., 5., 6., and 7.
    (2) After completing the inspection above in paragraph (a)(1) of 
this AD, any part(s) found to be damaged or improperly configured, 
perform the removal and replacement procedures in accordance 
paragraph IV. B.4, 8., and 9., as required, of ALC Information 
Bulletin No. IB 90-00.
    (b) Within 5 flights or 10 flight hours, whichever occurs first, 
of a cabin fluorescent lighting system components failure, repeat 
the removal and replacement procedures of paragraph (a)(2) of this 
AD.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance with paragraphs (a)(1), 
(a)(2), and (b) of this AD would be to turn the fluorescent lighting 
system off and to placard the system to prevent unintentional 
activation.
    (d) Replacement of the following ALC parts, in accordance with 
the following instructions, constitutes terminating action to 
[[Page 384]] the inspections required by paragraph (b) of this AD. 
These actions are optional:
    (1) Remove power units, P/N TR-991 or AL-0546, and replace with 
protected power units, P/N AL-5117, in accordance with ALC 
Installation Instruction (II) No. AL-11025M, dated March 15, 1992.
    (2) Remove power units, P/N TR-992 or AL-0514, and replace with 
protected power unit, P/N AL-5112, in accordance with ALC II No. AL-
11024M, dated March 15, 1992.
    (3) Remove power supplies, P/N 18-95D, and dimmer, P/N 22-311, 
and replace with protected power supply, P/N AL-5118, in accordance 
with ALC II No. AL-11023M, Revision A, dated May 20, 1994.
    (4) Remove power supplies, P/N AL-0598, and dimmer, P/N AL-0542, 
and replace with protected power supply, P/N AL-5130, in accordance 
with ALC II No. AL-11023M, Revision A, dated May 20, 1994.
    (e) 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, New York Aircraft Certification 
Office. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, New York Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this airworthiness directive, 
if any, may be obtained from the New York Aircraft Certification 
Office.

    (f) 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 aircraft to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

    Issued in Burlington, Massachusetts, on December 27, 1994.
Jay J. Pardee,
Manager, Engine and Propeller Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-58 Filed 1-3-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P