Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 Airplanes, 6973-6975 [E7-2525]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 14, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6973-6975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-2525]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27152; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-219-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require installing a certain junction(s) and changing the wiring 
of the first officer's pitot static heater system. This proposed AD 
results from a report of temporary loss of the auto-flight function 
with displays of suspect or erratic airspeed indications. We are 
proposing this AD to prevent display of suspect or erratic airspeed 
indications during heavy rain conditions, which could reduce the 
ability of the flightcrew to maintain the safe flight and landing of 
the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 2, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and 
Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for the service 
information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Bui, Aerospace Engineer, Systems 
and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5339; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2007-
27152; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-219-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit https://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    We have received a report of temporary loss of the auto-flight 
function with displays of suspect or erratic airspeed indications on a 
McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplane during climb-out in very heavy 
rain. The suspect or erratic indications were consistent with loss of 
air data sensor heating caused by ice build-up on unheated captain's, 
first officer's, and auxiliary's pitot sensors. In

[[Page 6974]]

addition, investigation revealed that the original design of the air 
data sensor heating system does not meet system separation criteria and 
independence requirements. As a result, the airplane may lose or have 
unreliable airspeed indications. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in display of suspect or erratic airspeed indications 
during heavy rain conditions, which could reduce the ability of the 
flightcrew to maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-30A0003, 
Revision 2, dated November 28, 2006. The service bulletin describes 
procedures for installing CTM-16-090 junction(s) and changing the 
wiring of the first officer's pitot static heater system, which 
separates the first officer's pitot sensor heater power from the 
captain's and auxiliary's pitot sensor heater power. These actions will 
ensure that the three systems (i.e., captain's, first officer's, and 
auxiliary's pitot sensor heaters) will always be on in-flight, 
regardless of the position of the air data heat switch. Accomplishing 
the actions specified in the service information is intended to 
adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, 
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 155 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 123 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take between 4 and 16 work 
hours per airplane depending on the airplane configuration, at an 
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. The manufacturer states that 
it will supply required parts to the operators at no cost. Based on 
these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators 
is between $39,360 and $157,440, or between $320 and $1,280 per 
airplane, depending on the airplane configuration.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the 
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

McDonnell Douglas: Docket No. FAA-2007-27152; Directorate Identifier 
2006-NM-219-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 2, 
2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin 717-30A0003, Revision 2, dated November 28, 
2006.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of temporary loss of the auto-
flight function with displays of suspect or erratic airspeed 
indications. We are issuing this AD to prevent display of suspect or 
erratic airspeed indications during heavy rain conditions, which 
could reduce the ability of the flightcrew to maintain the safe 
flight and landing of the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Installation and Wiring Change

    (f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install CTM-16-090 junction(s) and change the wiring of the first 
officer's pitot static heater system, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-
30A0003, Revision 2, dated November 28, 2006.
    (g) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 717-30A0003, Revision 
1, dated March 2, 2006, are acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding provisions of paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.


[[Page 6975]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 5, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-2525 Filed 2-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P