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

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 12, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64116-64117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30200]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-103-AD; Amendment 39-12541; AD 2001-24-24]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10 and -30 
Series 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 and -30 series 
airplanes, that requires an inspection of the power feeder cable for 
evidence of chafing, and repair of any chafed power feeder cable. This 
amendment also requires replacement of the wiring support clip 
(standoff) of the power feeder cable with a new, improved wiring 
support clip. This action is necessary to prevent chafing and arcing of 
the power feeder cable and adjacent airplane structure and system 
components, and consequent smoke/fire in an engine nacelle. 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 (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 and -30 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register 
on July 23, 2001 (66 FR 38195). That action proposed to require an 
inspection of the power feeder cable for evidence of chafing, and 
repair of any chafed power feeder cable. That action also proposed to 
require replacement of the wiring support clip (standoff) of the power 
feeder cable with a new, improved wiring support clip.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 162 Model DC-9-10 and -30 series airplanes 
of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 
107 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 actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost approximately $102 or $204 per airplane 
depending on the airplane configuration. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $17,334 or 
$28,248; or $162 or $264 per airplane depending on the airplane 
configuration.
    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

[[Page 64117]]

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:

2001-24-24  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12541. Docket 2001-NM-
103-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-10 and -30 series airplanes, as listed 
in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A160, Revision 02, dated 
March 14, 2001; 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 (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 chafing and arcing of the power feeder cable and 
adjacent airplane structure and system components, and consequent 
smoke/fire in an engine nacelle, accomplish the following:

Inspection; Repair, if Necessary; and Replacement

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD per 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A160, Revision 02, dated March 
14, 2001.
    (1) Do a general visual inspection of the power feeder cable for 
evidence of chafing, and repair any chafed power feeder cable.

    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) Replace the wiring support clip (standoff) of the power 
feeder cable with a new, improved wiring support clip.

    Note 3: Inspection, repair, and replacement per McDonnell 
Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-24-160, dated January 4, 1996, or 
Revision 01, dated March 7, 1996, before the effective date of this 
AD is 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 Permit

    (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 Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin DC9-24A160, Revision 02, dated March 14, 2001. 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. 01-30200 Filed 12-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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