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

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 85 (Thursday, May 2, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21985-21987]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10652]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-165-AD; Amendment 39-12739; AD 2002-09-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81 (MD-
81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and MD-88 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-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 
(MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and MD-88 airplanes. This AD requires an 
inspection to verify proper installation of the support clamp of the 
alternating current (AC) power relay feeder cables at the aft inboard 
side of the electrical power center, and corrective actions, if 
necessary. This action is necessary to prevent the AC power relay 
feeder cables from chafing against the aft inboard side of the 
electrical power center due to improper installation, which could 
result in electrical arcing and damage to adjacent structures, and 
consequent smoke and/or fire in the electrical power center area. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective June 6, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 6, 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; 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, 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-9-81, -82, and -83 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on January 9, 2002 (67 FR 1165). That 
action proposed to require an inspection to verify proper installation 
of the support clamp of the alternating current (AC) power relay feeder 
cables at the aft inboard side of the electrical power center, and 
corrective actions, if necessary.

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.

Explanation of Change to Applicability of Proposed Rule

    The FAA has revised the applicability of this final rule to 
identify model designations as published in the most recent type 
certificate data sheet for the affected models.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air

[[Page 21986]]

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 162 Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), 
DC-9-83 (MD-83), and MD-88 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 90 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 that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $5,400, 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:

2002-09-06  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12739. Docket 2000-NM-
165-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 
(MD-83), and MD-88 airplanes; certificated in any category; as 
listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-24A145, 
Revision 01, dated June 22, 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 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 the alternating current (AC) power relay feeder cable 
from chafing against the aft inboard side of the electrical power 
center, which could result in electrical arcing and damage to 
adjacent structures, and consequent smoke and/or fire in the 
electrical power center area, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 1 year from the effective date of this AD, do a 
general visual inspection to verify proper installation of the 
support clamp of the alternating current (AC) power relay feeder 
cables (includes the clamp, grommet, and sta-strap) at the aft 
inboard side of the electrical power center, per McDonnell Douglas 
Alert Service Bulletin MD80-24A145, Revision 01, dated June 22, 
2000.

    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.''

Proper Installation: No Further Action

    (1) If the installation of the clamp, grommet, and sta-strap is 
correct, no further action is required by this AD.

Improper Installation: Corrective Actions

    (2) If any installation of the clamp, grommet, or sta-strap is 
not correct, before further flight, do the actions specified in 
paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Do a general visual inspection of the power relay feeder 
cables for chafing, per the service bulletin. If any chafing is 
found, before further flight, repair per the service bulletin.
    (ii) Install the clamp, grommet, and sta-strap, per the service 
bulletin.

    Note 3: Accomplishment of the actions specified in McDonnell 
Douglas MD80-24-145, dated December 15, 1992, 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (c) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-24A145, Revision 01, dated June 
22, 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; 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.

[[Page 21987]]

Effective Date

    (d) This amendment becomes effective on June 6, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 24, 2002.
Lirio Liu-Nelson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-10652 Filed 5-1-02; 8:45 am]
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