Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 Series Airplanes, and Model MD-88 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 169 (Thursday, August 30, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45756-45758]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21745]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-163-AD; Amendment 39-12426; AD 2001-17-34]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81, -82, -
83, and -87 Series Airplanes, and Model MD-88 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, 
and -87 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, that currently 
requires 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. That AD also 
requires modification of the electrical connectors, which terminates 
the inspection requirement. That action was 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. This amendment expands the applicability of the 
existing AD to include additional airplanes. This amendment is 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 and/or fire in the 
passenger cabin.

DATES: Effective October 4, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 4, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data 
and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). This information may 
be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, 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: Elvin Wheeler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712; telephone (562) 627-5344; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 95-19-09, 
amendment 39-9371 (60 FR 48639, September 20, 1995), which is 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -
87 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, was published in the 
Federal Register on June 5, 2001 (66 FR 30095). That action proposed to 
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. That action also 
proposed to require modification of the electrical connectors, 
terminating the inspection requirement. That action also proposed to 
expand the applicability of the existing AD to include additional 
airplanes.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the three comments received.
    Two airplane operators state that they have previously accomplished 
the actions required by the proposed AD and, therefore, would not be 
affected by the proposed AD. A third operator states that it does not 
own or operate any of the equipment affected by the proposed AD and, 
therefore, has no comments to offer.

[[Page 45757]]

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
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 970 Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series 
airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 470 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately between 24 
and 31 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will 
cost approximately $1,199 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between 
$1,240,330, and $1,437,730, or between $2,639, and $3,059 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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 removing amendment 39-9371 (60 FR 
48639, September 20, 1995), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-12426, to read as follows:

2001-17-34  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12426. Docket 2000-NM-
163-AD. Supersedes AD 95-19-09, Amendment 39-9371.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series 
airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD80-33A099, Revision 03, dated January 27, 2000; 
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 (d) 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.

    Note 2: Actions required by this AD that were done before the 
effective date of this AD per McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service 
Bulletin 33-99, Revision 1, dated February 23, 1995; or Revision 02, 
dated December 15, 1995; are considered acceptable for compliance 
with the requirements of this AD.

    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 and/or 
fire in the passenger cabin, accomplish the following:

General Visual Inspection

    (a) Perform a general 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, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-33A099, 
Revision 03, dated January 27, 2000; at the applicable time 
indicated in Table 1 of this AD, below:

                  Table 1.--Inspection Compliance Times
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           Affected airplanes                    Compliance time
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(1) DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series    Within 18 months after October
 airplanes, and MD-88 airplanes, serial   5, 1995 (the effective date of
 numbers 49614, 49626 through 49632       AD 95-19-09).
 inclusive, 49668, and 49707.
(2) Other than those airplanes           Within 18 months after the
 identified in paragraph (a)(1) of this   effective date of this AD.
 AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

Corrective Action

    (b) If any discrepancy is found during the inspection required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD, before further flight, replace the 
damaged connectors, pins, sockets, or wires with new parts, per 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-33A099, Revision 03, dated 
January 27, 2000.

Modification

    (c) At the applicable time indicated in Table 1 of this AD, 
modify the electrical connectors of the sidewall lighting in the 
passenger cabin, per Boeing Alert Service

[[Page 45758]]

Bulletin MD80-33A099, Revision 03, dated January 27, 2000. 
Accomplishment of this modification constitutes compliance with the 
requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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. 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (e) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD80-33A099, Revision 03, dated January 27, 2000. 
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 Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, 
Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 
90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-
0024). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
FAA, 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.

Effective Date

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on October 4, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 22, 2001.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-21745 Filed 8-29-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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