Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -30, and -40 Series Airplanes and C-9 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 12, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64133-64135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30191]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-292-AD; Amendment 39-12532; AD 2001-24-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -30, 
and -40 Series Airplanes and C-9 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 DC-9-10, -30, and -40 
series airplanes and C-9 airplanes, that requires an inspection to 
detect chafing of the wiring of the attendants' work light of the aft 
cabin, and repair of chafed wiring. This AD also requires modification 
and reidentification of the attendants' work light assemblies of the 
aft cabin. This action is necessary to prevent chafing of the ground 
wire against the positive contact of the lamp of the attendants' work 
light of the aft cabin, and consequent arcing or arcing damage to the 
wiring of the attendants' work light and transformer of the aft cabin. 
Such arcing or arcing damage could result in short circuits and 
consequent smoke and fire in the aft cabin area. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective January 16, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 16, 2002.

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

[[Page 64134]]

(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 
90712-4137; 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) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
DC-9-10, -30, and -40 series airplanes and C-9 airplanes was published 
in the Federal Register on July 23, 2001 (66 FR 38173). That action 
proposed to require an inspection to detect chafing of the wiring of 
the attendants' work light of the aft cabin, and repair of chafed 
wiring. That action also proposed to require modification and 
reidentification of the attendants' work light assemblies of the aft 
cabin.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Requests To Revise the Applicability of the Proposed AD

    One commenter requests that the applicability of the proposed AD be 
revised to ``Model DC-9-10, -30, and -40 series airplanes and C-9 
airplanes, equipped with an attendants' work light in the aft cabin; 
certificated in any category; as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert 
Service Bulletin DC9-33A058, Revision 02, dated January 27, 2000.'' The 
commenter states that airplanes without an attendants' work light are 
not susceptible to the identified unsafe condition of the proposed AD. 
The commenter also states that such a change would reduce requests for 
alternative methods of compliance (AMOC).
    The FAA agrees with the commenter and has revised the final rule 
accordingly.
    One commenter requests that the applicability of the proposed AD be 
revised to apply only to those airplanes on which the affected light 
assembly, part number L19020-1 or L19145-1, has been installed. The 
commenter notes that it no longer uses the referenced part number 
affected by the proposed AD, and that it uses a different lamp 
assembly, which is not susceptible to identified unsafe condition of 
the proposed AD.
    The FAA does not concur. The commenter did not provide any specific 
data with regard to its ``Interior 2000'' modification. Therefore, we 
are unable to determine whether such a configuration is not subject to 
the identified unsafe condition. However, under the provisions of 
paragraph (b) of this AD, the FAA may consider requests for approval of 
an alternative method of compliance if sufficient data are submitted to 
substantiate that such a design change would provide an acceptable 
level of safety. No change to the final rule has been made is this 
regard.

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 with the change previously 
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 176 Model DC-9-10, -30, and -40 series 
airplanes and C-9 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide 
fleet. The FAA estimates that 111 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the required inspection and modification, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$6,660, or $60 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. 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2001-24-15  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12532. Docket 99-NM-292-
AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-10, -30, and -40 series airplanes and 
C-9 airplanes, equipped with an attendants' work light in the aft 
cabin; certificated in any category; as listed in McDonnell Douglas 
Alert Service Bulletin DC9-33A058, Revision 02, dated January 27, 
2000.

    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

[[Page 64135]]

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 arcing or arcing damage to the wiring of the 
attendants' work light of the aft cabin due to chafing of the ground 
wire against the positive contact of the lamp of the attendants' 
work light and transformer of the aft cabin, which could result in 
short circuits and consequent smoke and fire in the aft cabin area, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection; Corrective Actions, if Necessary; Modification; and 
Reidentification

    (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, per 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9-33A058, Revision 02, 
dated January 27, 2000.
    (1) Do a general visual inspection to detect chafing of the 
wiring of the attendants' work light of the aft cabin. If any 
chafing is detected, before further flight, repair chafed wiring per 
the service bulletin.

    Note 2: 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.''

    (2) Modify and reidentify the attendants' work light assemblies 
of the aft cabin.

    Note 3: Inspections, repairs, modifications, and 
reidentifications done before the effective date of this AD per 
McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-33-058, dated June 5, 1973, 
or Revision 1, dated November 26, 1975, are considered acceptable 
for compliance with the requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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. 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

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9-33A058, Revision 02, 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

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 16, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 28, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30191 Filed 12-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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