98-5203. Airworthiness Directives; SAFT America Inc. Part Number (P/N) 021929-000 (McDonnell Douglas P/N 43BO34LB02) and P/N 021904-000 (McDonnell Douglas P/N 43BO34LB03) Nickel Cadmium Batteries  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 40 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 10156-10157]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-5203]
    
    
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    Proposed Rules
                                                    Federal Register
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
    the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
    notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
    the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
    
    ========================================================================
    
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 40 / Monday, March 2, 1998 / Proposed 
    Rules
    
    [[Page 10156]]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 97-CE-116-AD]
    RIN 2120-AA64
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; SAFT America Inc. Part Number (P/N) 
    021929-000 (McDonnell Douglas P/N 43BO34LB02) and P/N 021904-000 
    (McDonnell Douglas P/N 43BO34LB03) Nickel Cadmium Batteries
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
    
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    SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
    (AD) that would apply to SAFT America Inc. P/N 021929-000 (McDonnell 
    Douglas P/N 43BO34LB02) and P/N 021904-000 (McDonnell Douglas P/N 
    43BO34LB03) nickel cadmium batteries that are installed on aircraft. 
    The proposed AD would require replacing all battery terminal screws, 
    verifying that the battery contains design specification cells, and 
    replacing the cells if the battery contains non-design specification 
    cells. The proposed AD is the result of an incident where the cell 
    screws on one of the affected batteries were exposed to chloride, which 
    caused the heads of some fasteners to shear off and eventually resulted 
    in the battery exploding. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
    intended to prevent such an occurrence, which could result in loss of 
    emergency power to electrical flight components or other emergency 
    power systems required in the event of loss of the aircraft primary 
    power source.
    
    DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 8, 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
    Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
    Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-116-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
    Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this 
    location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays 
    excepted.
        Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
    from SAFT America Inc., 711 Industrial Boulevard, Valdosta, Georgia 
    31601; telephone: (912) 245-2820; facsimile: (912) 245-2827. This 
    information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address 
    above.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hector Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer, 
    Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix 
    Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-
    6069; facsimile: (770) 703 6097.
    
    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 that summarizes 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 No. 97-CE-116-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, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
    Rules Docket No. 97-CE-116-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
    City, Missouri 64106.
    
    Discussion
    
        The FAA has received a report of an incident where a certain SAFT 
    America Inc. nickel cadmium battery (installed on a McDonnell Douglas 
    DC-9 aircraft) exploded during preflight. Examination revealed that the 
    battery cell (terminal) screws were exposed to chloride. This caused 
    the socket head of some fasteners to shear off.
        Sheared fastener heads cause the possibility of other hardware in 
    the battery to come into contact with the negative and positive battery 
    terminals. This causes shorting of the battery with possible explosion.
        The SAFT America Inc. batteries affected that are susceptible to 
    this problem are part number (P/N) 021929-000 (McDonnell Douglas P/N 
    43BO34LB02) and P/N 021904-000 (McDonnell Douglas P/N 43BO34LB03).
    
    Relevant Service Information
    
        SAFT America Inc. has issued SAFT Aviation Batteries Mandatory 
    Service Bulletin Document No. A00027, Rev. F, dated January 15, 1998, 
    which specifies procedures for replacing all terminal screws in an 
    affected battery and verifying that the battery contains design 
    specification cells.
    
    The FAA's Determination
    
        After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
    information related to the incidents described above, including the 
    referenced service bulletin, the FAA has determined that AD action 
    should be taken to prevent the battery from shorting out or exploding 
    if the heads of fasteners become sheared off. This could result in loss 
    of emergency power to electrical flight components or other emergency 
    power systems required in the event of loss of the aircraft primary 
    power source.
    
    Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
    
        Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
    exist or
    
    [[Page 10157]]
    
    develop in aircraft that have a SAFT P/N 021929-000 (McDonnell Douglas 
    P/N 43BO34LB02) or P/N 021904-000 (McDonnell Douglas P/N 43BO34LB03) 
    nickel cadmium battery installed, the FAA is proposing AD action. The 
    proposed AD would require replacing all battery terminal screws, 
    verifying that the battery contains design specification cells, and 
    replacing the cells if the battery contains non-design specification 
    cells. Accomplishment of the proposed actions would be in accordance 
    with the previously referenced service information.
    
    Cost Impact
    
        The FAA estimates that 1,004 aircraft in the U.S. registry could 
    have at least one of the affected batteries installed and would be 
    affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 16 
    workhours per aircraft to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
    average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
    approximately $78 per battery (two batteries per aircraft = $156). 
    Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on 
    U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,120,464, or $1,116 per aircraft if 
    all aircraft have two batteries installed.
    
    Compliance Time of the Proposed AD
    
        The unsafe condition specified by the proposed AD is caused by 
    corrosion. Corrosion can occur regardless of whether the aircraft is in 
    operation or is in storage. Therefore, to assure that the unsafe 
    condition specified in the proposed AD does not go undetected for a 
    long period of time, the compliance is presented in calendar time 
    instead of hours time-in-service (TIS).
    
    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 action (1) is 
    not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
    (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 has been placed 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 a new airworthiness directive 
    (AD) to read as follows:
    
    Saft America Inc.: Docket No. 97-CE-116-AD.
    
        Applicability: Part Number (P/N) 021929-000 (McDonnell Douglas 
    P/N 43BO34LB02) and P/N 021904-000 (McDonnell Douglas P/N 
    43BO34LB03) Nickel Cadmium Batteries that are installed on, but not 
    limited to, McDonnell Douglas DC-9 and MD-80 aircraft, all serial 
    numbers, certificated in any category.
    
        Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
    preceding applicability provision that incorporates one of the 
    affected batteries, regardless of whether it has been modified, 
    altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this 
    AD. For aircraft 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 at the next scheduled battery maintenance 
    that occurs 3 calendar months after the effective date of this AD or 
    within the next 15 calendar months after the effective date of this 
    AD, whichever occurs first, unless already accomplished.
        To prevent the battery from shorting out or exploding if the 
    heads of fasteners become sheared off, which could result in loss of 
    emergency power to electrical flight components or other emergency 
    power systems required in the event of loss of the aircraft primary 
    power source, accomplish the following:
        (a) Replace all battery terminal screws, verify that the battery 
    contains design specification cells, and replace the cells if the 
    battery contains non-design specification cells. Accomplish these 
    actions in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS section of SAFT Aviation 
    Batteries Mandatory Service Bulletin Document No. A00027, Rev F, 
    dated January 15, 1998.
        (b) 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.
        (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
    compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
    approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One 
    Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 
    30349. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
    Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
    Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.
    
        Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from the Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.
    
        (d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
    the document referred to herein upon request to SAFT America Inc., 
    711 Industrial Boulevard, Valdosta, Georgia 31601; or may examine 
    this document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
    Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    
        Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 23, 1998.
    Marvin R. Nuss,
    Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 98-5203 Filed 2-27-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
03/02/1998
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Document Number:
98-5203
Dates:
Comments must be received on or before May 8, 1998.
Pages:
10156-10157 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 97-CE-116-AD
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
98-5203.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13