[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 166 (Thursday, August 27, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45687-45689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22820]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-136-AD; Amendment 39-10719; AD 98-18-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-90-30 series
airplanes, that requires modification of the wiring of the strake ice
protection system (SIPS). This amendment is prompted by a report of a
fire in the electrical and electronic compartment of a Model MD-90-30
series airplane. The actions specified by this AD are intended to
prevent an electrical short circuit of the wiring of the SIPS, which
could result in a fire in the electrical and electronic compartment of
the airplane.
DATES: Effective October 1, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 1, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from The Boeing Company, Douglas Products Division, 3855
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical
Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). This
information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules
[[Page 45688]]
Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Y. Mabuni, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5341;
fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model
MD-90-30 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May
28, 1998 (63 FR 29155). That action proposed to require modification of
the wiring of the strake ice protection system (SIPS).
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
The commenter supports the proposed rule.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 66 Model MD-90-30 series airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 23
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 15 work hours per airplane to accomplish the
required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour.
The cost of required parts will be minimal. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $20,700, or
$900 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 adopted herein will 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 final
rule does 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) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:
98-18-03 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-10719. Docket 98-NM-136-
AD.
Applicability: Model MD-90-30 series airplanes, as listed in
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-30A021, dated March
31, 1998; 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 (b) 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 an electrical short circuit of the wiring of the
strake ice protection system (SIPS), which could result in a fire in
the electrical and electronic compartment of the airplane,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, modify
the wiring of the SIPS and perform a resistance test of the
electrical insulation in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert
Service Bulletin MD90-30A021, dated March 31, 1998. If any strake
heating wiring fails the resistance test, prior to further flight,
replace the discrepant wiring with new wiring, and repeat the
resistance test, in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
(b) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
(c) 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.
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-30A021, dated March 31, 1998.
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. Copies may be obtained from The Boeing Company, Douglas Products
Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846,
Attention: Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-
L51 (2-60). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 1, 1998.
[[Page 45689]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 19, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-22820 Filed 8-26-98; 8:45 am]
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