[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 224 (Tuesday, November 22, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-28744] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: November 22, 1994] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 94-NM-172-AD] Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9, DC-9-80, and C-9 (Military) Series Airplanes and Model MD-88 Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9, DC-9-80, and C-9 (military) series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes. This proposal would require a visual inspection to verify proper installation of the wire termination lugs on the ignition selector switch, and removal and correct installation of any improperly installed wire termination lugs. This proposal would also require application of sealant to the wire termination lugs and the attachment screws. This proposal is prompted by a report that, during the manufacturer's production flight testing, an abnormal engine start valve open annunciation for engine No. 2 occurred and resulted in an uncontained failure of the engine starter. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent damage to the engine cowling, damage to adjacent engine components, and possible fire in the cowling, due to an uncontained failure of the engine starter. DATES: Comments must be received by January 19, 1995. ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-172-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 McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach, California 90801-1771, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical Administrative Support, Dept. LS1, M.C. 2-98. This information may be examined 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Baitoo, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (310) 627-5245; 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 94-NM-172-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. 94-NM-172-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Discussion The FAA has received a report that, during the manufacturer's production flight testing, an abnormal engine start valve open annunciation for engine No. 2 occurred on a Model DC-9 series airplane. After the airplane landed, inspection revealed that an uncontained failure of the engine starter on engine No. 2 had occurred. Investigation revealed that a wire termination lug in the ignition selector switch was installed barrel down, and consequently, contacted an adjacent terminal, causing an electrical short. This electrical short at the ignition selector switch caused the engine start valve to stay open and resulted in an uncontained failure of the engine starter. This condition, if not corrected, could result in damage to the engine cowling, damage to adjacent engine components, and possible fire in the cowling. The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 24-121, dated February 24, 1992, which describes procedures for visual inspection to verify proper installation of the wire termination lugs on the ignition selector switch. This service bulletin also describes procedures for removal and proper installation of the wire termination lug if it is found to be installed incorrectly. Additionally, the service bulletin describes procedures for the application of a sealant to the termination lugs and attachment screws. 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 verify proper installation of the wire termination lugs on the ignition selector switch. The proposed AD would also require removal of the wire termination lugs and reinstallation, if they are installed improperly. Additionally, the proposed AD would require the application of a sealant to the termination lugs and attachment screws. The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described previously. [Note: As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general, some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. Under these circumstances, at least one operator appears to have incorrectly assumed that its airplane was not subject to an AD. On the contrary, all airplanes identified in the applicability provision of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has been included in this notice to clarify this requirement.] There are approximately 1,954 Model DC-9, DC-9-80, and C-9 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 1,097 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The cost of required parts would be nominal. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $131,640 or $120 per airplane. The total cost impact figure discussed above is 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. 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: McDonnell Douglas: Docket 94-NM-172-AD. Applicability: Model DC-9 and C-9 (Military) series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 24-121, dated February 24, 1992, 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 use the authority provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD. Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent an engine start valve uncontained failure, which could cause damage to the engine cowling, damage to adjacent engine components, and possible fire in the cowling, accomplish the following: (a) Within 8 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a visual inspection of the wire termination lugs on the ignition selector switch located in the forward overhead switch panel in the flight compartment to determine if the lugs are installed correctly, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 24-121, dated February 24, 1992. (1) If any wire termination lug is improperly installed, prior to further flight, remove and reinstall the wire terminations with the barrel up, and encapsulate the wire termination lugs and attachment screws with sealant, in accordance with the service bulletin. (2) If all wire termination lugs are properly installed, prior to further flight, encapsulate the termination lugs and attachment screws with sealant in accordance with the service bulletin. (b) Within 10 days after removing and reinstalling any wire terminations with the barrel up, as required by paragraph (a)(1), submit a report of that action to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712, Attention: Robert Baitoo, ANM-140L; fax (310) 627-5210. Information collection requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. (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 2: 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 Secs. 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 November 16, 1994. Darrell M. Pederson, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 94-28744 Filed 11-21-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U