Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 Series Airplanes and Model MD-88 Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-93-AD]

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 Series

Airplanes and Model MD-88 Airplanes

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 certain Model DC-9-80 series

airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes. This proposal would require an

inspection to detect damage, burn marks, or discoloration at certain

electrical plugs and receptacles of the sidewall lighting in the

passenger cabin, and correction of discrepancies. This proposal would

also require modification of the electrical connectors, which, when

accomplished, would terminate the inspection requirement. This proposal

is prompted by reports of failures of the electrical connectors in the

sidewall fluorescent lighting, which resulted in smoke or lighting

interruption in the passenger cabin. The actions specified by the

proposed AD are intended to prevent failures of the electrical

connectors, which could result in poor socket/pin contact, excessive

heat, electrical arcing, and subsequently, connector burn through and

smoke in the passenger cabin.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 7, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-93-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. L51, 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, 3229 East Spring Street,

Long Beach, California 90806-2425.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elvin K. Wheeler, Aerospace Engineer,

Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-132L, FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East

Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-

5344; fax (310) 988-5210.

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-93-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-93-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055-4056.

Discussion

The FAA has received reports of failures of the electrical

connectors in the sidewall fluorescent lighting on Model DC-9-80 series

airplanes, which resulted in smoke or lighting interruption in the

passenger cabin. Investigation revealed that these connectors became

internally overheated. The cause of this internal overheating has been

attributed to physically damaged or improperly connected connectors.

This condition, if not corrected, could result in poor socket/pin

contact, excessive heat, electrical arcing, and subsequently, connector

burn through and smoke in the passenger cabin. -

The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service

Bulletin 33-99, dated May 24, 1994, which describes procedures for a

visual inspection to detect damage, burn marks, or black or brown

discoloration caused by electrical arcing at electrical plugs, having

part number (P/N) MS3126F-15P, and receptacles, having P/N MS3124E-15S,

of the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin, and correction of

discrepancies. It also describes procedures for modification of the

electrical connectors of the sidewall lighting, which, when

accomplished, would terminate the inspection requirement. This

modification involves removing 230 VAC (400 Hz) power wires of existing

electrical connectors of the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin,

and installing separate wire splice-connectors or hard splice at the

230 VAC (400 Hz) power wires. This modification also involves

ascertaining that the electrical connectors of the sidewall lighting

are tight and properly installed. Accomplishment of this modification

minimizes the possibility of failure of the electrical connectors.

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 visual inspection to detect damage, burn

marks, or black or brown discoloration at certain electrical plugs and

receptacles of the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin, and

correction of discrepancies. It would also require the eventual

modification of the electrical connectors of the sidewall lighting,

which, when accomplished, would terminate the inspection requirement.

The actions would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the

service bulletin described previously.

There are approximately 907 McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 series

airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes of the affected design in the

worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 490 airplanes of U.S. registry

would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately

50 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that

the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would be

supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to operators. Based on these

figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is

estimated to be $1,347,500, or $2,750 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-93-AD.

Applicability: Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83

(MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplanes; and Model MD-88

airplanes; as listed in McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 33-

99, dated May 24, 1994; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

To prevent poor socket/pin contact, excessive heat, electrical

arcing, and subsequently, connector burnthrough and smoke in the

passenger cabin, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,

perform a visual inspection to detect damage, burn marks, or black

or brown discoloration caused by electrical arcing at electrical

plugs, having part number (P/N) MS3126F-15P, and receptacles, having

P/N MS3124E-15S, of the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin, in

accordance with McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 33-99,

dated May 24, 1994.

(1) If no discrepancies are found, no further action is required

by this paragraph.

(2) If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight,

replace the damaged connectors, pins, sockets, or wire with new

parts, in accordance with the service bulletin.

(b) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, modify

the electrical connectors of the sidewall lighting in the passenger

cabin in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 33-99,

dated May 24, 1994. Accomplishment of this modification constitutes

terminating action for the requirements of this AD.

(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: 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 8, 1994.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-22673 Filed 9-13-94; 8:45 am]

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