[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 195 (Monday, October 7, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52394-52397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25575]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-163-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Transport Category Airplanes Equipped
with Day-Ray Products, Inc., Fluorescent Light Ballasts
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to any transport category airplane
that is equipped with certain Day-Ray fluorescent light ballasts
installed in the upper and/or lower cabin sidewall. This proposal would
require a visual inspection to determine the type of fluorescent light
ballasts installed in the cabin sidewall, and either the replacement of
suspect ballasts or the installation of a protective cover over the
ballast. This proposal is prompted by reports of smoke, fumes, and/or
electrical fire emitting from the baggage bin of the aft passenger
compartment due to the failure of the fluorescent light ballasts. The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent the
potential for a fire in the passenger compartment resulting from
failure of the fluorescent light ballast of the cabin sidewall.
DATES: Comments must be received by November 18, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-163-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.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Day Ray Products, Inc., 1133 Mission Street, South
Pasadena, California 91031; or Hexcel Corporation, Heath Tecna
Interiors, 3225 Woburn Street, Bellingham, Washington 98226; or
McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach,
California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business
Administration, Department C1-L51 (2-60).
This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane
[[Page 52395]]
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA,
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: J. Kirk Baker, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712; telephone (310) 627-5345; fax (310) 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.
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 96-NM-163-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-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 96-NM-163-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On May 22, 1996, the FAA issued AD 96-11-13, amendment 39-9638 (61
FR 27251, May 31, 1996) which is applicable to McDonnell Douglas Model
DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes. Among other things,
that AD requires a visual inspection to determine the type of
fluorescent light ballasts installed in the cabin sidewall; and either
installation of a protective cover, replacement, or removal/
disconnection, if necessary. That AD was prompted by at least two
reports of smoke, fumes, and/or electrical fire emitting from the
baggage bin of the aft passenger compartment and from the dust barriers
of the outboard ceiling panel on McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-82 (MD-
82) series airplanes. Investigation revealed that the design of certain
Day-Ray Products fluorescent light ballast assemblies, as installed on
the incident airplanes, allows moisture condensation to enter into the
ballast case during altitude changes. The effects of such moisture
subsequently contaminate the printed circuit card, which can result in
a short circuit that ruptures the ballast casing and emits fire. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in a fire in the passenger
compartment.
Since issuance of that AD, the FAA has identified additional light
ballasts manufactured by Day-Ray that are susceptible to the same
problems addressed by that AD. These suspect light ballasts may be
installed in any number of models of transport category airplanes, and,
specifically, on airplanes with interiors that have been configured by
means of certain supplemental type certificates (STC) issued to C&D
Aerospace and Heath Tecna Interiors. In order prevent the potential for
a fire in the passenger compartment resulting from failure of the
fluorescent light ballast of the cabin sidewall, the FAA has determined
that additional AD action must be taken to address these light
ballasts.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved the following service bulletins,
each of which describes procedures for inspecting light ballasts to
determine their part number, removing suspect ballasts, and installing
improved ballasts that are manufactured by Bruce Industries:
1. McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin DC9-33-103, dated May
30, 1995;
2. McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin MD80-33A107, Revision
01, dated August 30, 1996;
3. McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin DC10-33-073, dated June
18, 1996;
4. Heath Tecna Alert Service Bulletin ESCI-33-A2, Revision 1, dated
July 24, 1996, for all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-(MD-80) series
airplanes retrofitted with the Heath Tecna Contemporary Deep Rack
Interior (CDRI) and the Heath Tecna Extended Spacial Concept Interior
(ESCI or ESCI III);
5. Heath Tecna Alert Service Bulletin MarkI-33-A2, Revision 1,
dated July 24, 1996, for all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8 series
airplanes retrofitted with the Heath Tecna Mark I interior;
6. Heath Tecna Alert Service Bulletin MarkI-33-A3, Revision 1,
dated July 24, 1996, for all Boeing Model 707 series airplanes
retrofitted with the Heath Tecna Mark I interior;
7. Heath Tecna Alert Service Bulletin MarkI-33-A4, Revision 1,
dated July 24, 1996, for all Boeing Model 727 series airplanes
retrofitted with the heath Tecna Mark I interior;
8. Heath Tecna Alert Service Bulletin MarkI-33-A5, Revision 1,
dated July 24, 1996, for all Boeing Model 737 series airplanes
retrofitted with the Heath Tecna Mark I interior;
9. Heath Tecna Service Bulletin Spmk-33-A1, Revision 1, dated July
24, 1996, for all Boeing Model 727 series airplanes retrofitted with
the Heath Tecna Spacemaker II or Spacemaker IIa interior;
10. Heath Tecna Service Bulletin Spmk-33-A2, Revision 1, dated July
24, 1996, for all Boeing Model 737 series airplanes retrofitted with
the Heath Tecna Spacemaker II or Spacemaker IIa interior.
The FAA also has reviewed and approved Day-Ray Alert Service
Bulletin 33A01, dated March 25, 1996, which describes procedures for
installing a protective cover over the overhead and sidewall cabin
lighting ballasts. This installation will minimize the possibility of
uncontained smoke and flame due to failure of the ballasts.
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 a one-time visual inspection to determine the
type of fluorescent light ballasts installed in the upper and lower
cabin sidewall. For airplanes on which any Day-Ray Products light
ballast is installed, this AD also requires accomplishment of one of
the following actions:
1. replacement of that ballast with a Bruce Industries light
ballast, or
2. installation of a protective cover on the light ballast.
The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with
the service bulletins described previously.
The proposed compliance time of 12 months for these actions was
selected in
[[Page 52396]]
consideration of not only the safety implications associated with
addressing the subject unsafe condition, but the availability of
required parts and the practical aspect of accomplishing the required
actions within an interval of time that parallels normally scheduled
maintenance for the majority of affected operators.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 2,500 transport category airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 1,800
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
To accomplish the proposed inspection, it would take approximately
6 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $60 per work
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this proposed
inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $360 per airplane.
To replace the light ballasts would require approximately 33 work
hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour.
Required parts would average approximately $8,550 per airplane, which
represents a cost of $150 per ballast and an average of 57 ballasts per
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this proposed
replacement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,530 per airplane.
To modify the sidewall lighting by installing a protective cover
would require approximately 18 work hours per airplane, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts would average
approximately $285 per airplane, which represents a cost of $5 per
cover and an average of 57 ballasts per airplane. Based on these
figures, the cost impact of this proposed modification on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $1,365 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Transport Category Airplanes: Docket 96-NM-163-AD.
Applicability: Airplanes equipped with Day-Ray Products, Inc.,
cabin sidewall 0fluorescent light ballasts having part numbers
listed in Table 1 of this AD; including, but not limited to,
McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9, DC-9-80, MD-88, DC-10, and C-9
(military) series airplanes, and Boeing Model 707, 727, and 737
series airplanes; certificated in any category.
Table 1.--Fluorescent Light Ballasts Subject to this AD
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Name Part No.
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Day Ray.................................. 69-10
69-10-1
69-68
69-68-1
69-69
69-69-1
70-94
70-94-1
83-12
83-12-1
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Note 1: This AD does not apply to airplanes that are equipped
with solid state electronic light ballast systems.
Note 2: This AD applies to all transport category airplanes
equipped with the light ballasts identified in the preceding
applicability provision, regardless of whether the airplane 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 the potential for a fire in the passenger compartment
resulting from failure of the fluorescent light ballast of the cabin
sidewall, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a one-time visual inspection to determine the type of
fluorescent light ballasts installed in the upper and lower cabin
sidewall. If any ballast installed has a part number that is listed
in Table 1 of this AD, prior to further flight, accomplish the
actions specified in either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD:
(1) Remove the Day-Ray light ballast and replace it with a light
ballast manufactured by Bruce Industries, in accordance with the
applicable service bulletin(s) listed in Table 2 of this AD. Or
(2) Install a protective cover over the light ballast, in
accordance with Day-Ray Alert Service Bulletin 33A01, dated March
25, 1996.
[[Page 52397]]
Table 2.--Service Bulletins Containing Instructions for Accomplishing
the Requirements of this AD
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Service bulletin number and date Affected airplanes
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McDonnell Douglas, DC-9 Service Model DC-9-30, -40, and -50
Bulletin DC9-33-103, May 30, 1995. series airplanes listed in
effectivity of service
bulletin.
McDonnell Douglas, MD-80 Service Model DC-9-80 series and Model
Bulletin MD80-33A107, Revision R01, MD-88 airplanes listed in
August 30, 1996. effectivity of service
bulletin.
McDonnell Douglas, DC-10 Service Model DC-10-10, -15, -30, and -
Bulletin DC10-33-073 June 18, 1996. 40 series and KC-10A airplanes
listed in effectivity of
service bulletin
Heath Tecna, Alert Service Bulletin McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80
ESCI-33-A2, Revision 1, July 24, 1996. (MD-80) series airplanes
retrofitted with Heath Tecna
Contemporary Deep Rack
Interior (CDRI) and Heath
Tecna Extended Special Concept
Interior (ESCI or ESCI III)
Heath Tecna, Alert Service Bulletin McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8
MarkI-33-A2, Revision 1, July 24, 1996. series airplanes retrofitted
with Heath Tecna Mark I
interior
Heath Tecna, Alert Service Bulletin Boeing Model 707 series
MarkI-33-A3, Revision 1, July 24, 1996. airplanes retrofitted with the
Heath Tecna Mark I interior.
Heath Tecna, Alert Service Bulletin Boeing Model 727 series
MarkI-33-A4, Revision 1, July 24, 1996. airplanes retrofitted with the
Heath Tecna Mark I interior.
Heath Tecna, Alert Service Bulletin Boeing Model 737 series
MarkI-33-A5, Revision 1, July 24, 1996. airplanes retrofitted with the
Heath Tecna Mark I interior.
Heath Tecna, Service Bulletin Spmk Boeing Model 727 series
Markl-33-A1, Revision 1, July 24, 1996. airplanes retrofitted with the
Heath Tecna Spacemaker II or
Spacemaker IIa interior.
Heath Tecna, Service Bulletin Spmk-33- Boeing Model 737 series
A2, Revision 1, July 24, 1996. airplanes retrofitted with the
Heath Tecna Spacemaker II or
Spacemaker IIa interior.
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(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
in the upper or lower cabin sidewall of any airplane a Day-Ray
fluorescent light ballast having a part number listed in Table 1 of
this AD, unless a protective cover is installed on the ballast in
accordance with Day-Ray Alert Service Bulletin 33A01, dated March
25, 1996.
(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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
(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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 30, 1996.
James V. Devany,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-25575 Filed 10-04-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
