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

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 3 (Friday, January 4, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 503-505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-144]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-161-AD; Amendment 39-12581; AD 2001-26-15]
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 adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -
87 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, that requires a 
detailed visual inspection of certain wires to detect chafing and 
preload; repair, if necessary; and modification of certain wire 
assemblies. This action is necessary to prevent insufficient clearance 
between wire assemblies and the ice protection airduct and airstair 
door interlock rod; chafing; and consequent arcing of wire assemblies. 
Such arcing could result in damage to electronic equipment and adjacent 
structures, or cause the insulation blankets to ignite, which could 
result in smoke and fire in the flight deck and main cabin. This action 
is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective February 8, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 8, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft

[[Page 504]]

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-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes 
was published in the Federal Register on June 5, 2001 (66 FR 30099). 
That action proposed to require a detailed visual inspection of certain 
wires to detect chafing and preload; repair, if necessary; and 
modification of certain wire assemblies.

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.

Request To Use a Previous Revision

    One commenter request that the applicability of the proposed AD be 
revised to exclude airplanes on which the airstairs have been removed 
and the doors have been bolted shut. The commenter states that it is in 
compliance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD80-24-126, 
Revision 01, dated May 14, 1998. The commenter notes McDonnell Douglas 
Alert Service Bulletin MD80-24A126, Revision 02, dated September 22, 
1999 (which is referenced in the proposed AD as the appropriate source 
of service information), requires additional work, consisting of moving 
the airstair door to the open and closed position to ensure clearance 
of wiring. Therefore, the commenter concludes that the additional work 
in Revision 02 of the service bulletin is not necessary for its fleet.
    The FAA does not agree with this commenter. A door bolted shut 
would clearly not allow inspection for wire clearance with the door in 
the open position. However, since the inspection required by this AD is 
also for clearance when the door is in the full-closed position, that 
part of the inspection would still be applicable. Also, additional 
wires need to be inspected per Revision 02 of McDonnell Douglas Alert 
Service Bulletin MD80-24A126. The fact that airplane structure has been 
altered does not necessarily mean that an unsafe condition has been 
eliminated or does not exist. Therefore, we find no change to the final 
rule is necessary in this regard. However, under the provisions of 
paragraph (b) of the final rule, we 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.

Request for Change of Level of Inspection

    The same commenter also requests that the term ``detailed visual 
inspection'' be changed to ``visual inspection,'' because the Common 
Support Data Dictionary (CSDD) has a specific definition of ``detailed 
visual inspection'' and McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD80-24A126, 
Revision 02, does not call for this level of inspection.
    The FAA does not concur. The definition of the ``detailed visual 
inspection'' specified in Note 2 of this AD is a standard definition 
that is used in all ADs that require a detailed visual inspection. We 
have determined that a detailed visual inspection is the appropriate 
level of inspection to be carried out for the unsafe condition being 
addressed.

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 1,037 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 830 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 detailed visual 
inspection, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by this AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $49,800, 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.

[[Page 505]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2001-26-15  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12581. Docket 2000-NM-
161-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series 
airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas 
Alert Service Bulletin MD80-24A126, Revision 02, dated September 22, 
1999; 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 smoke and fire in the flight deck and main cabin due 
to insufficient clearance between wire assemblies and the ice 
protection airduct and airstair door interlock rod; chafing; and 
consequent arcing of wire assemblies, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Modification

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a detailed visual inspection of wire runs in the electrical/
equipment compartment to detect chafing and preload against the 
airduct shroud assembly of the strake ice protection system and/or 
airstair door interlock rod between stations Y=148.00 and Y=160.000, 
in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-
24A126, Revision 02, dated September 22, 1999.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

    (1) If no chafed or preloaded wire is found, prior to further 
flight, install spacers, sta-straps, and tie-back wire bundles, in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (2) If any chafed or preloaded wire is found, prior to further 
flight, repair, and install spacers, sta-straps, and tie-back wire 
bundles, in accordance with the service bulletin.

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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angles 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 McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-24A126, Revision 02, dated 
September 22, 1999. 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 February 8, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 21, 2001.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-144 Filed 1-3-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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