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

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 3, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9941-9943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4560]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-170-AD; Amendment 39-13503; AD 2004-05-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81 (MD-
81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), 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 airplane models, that requires 
a one-time inspection for chafing of wiring in the left-hand tunnel 
area of the forward cargo compartment, repair if necessary, and coiling 
and stowing of excess wiring. This action is necessary to prevent wire 
chafing and subsequent shorting to structure in the forward cargo 
compartment, which could result in smoke or fire in the airplane. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective April 7, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 7, 2004.

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

[[Page 9942]]

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 airplane 
models was published in the Federal Register on July 29, 2003 (68 FR 
44491). That action proposed to require a one-time inspection for 
chafing of wiring in the left-hand tunnel area of the forward cargo 
compartment, repair if necessary, and coiling and stowing of excess 
wiring.

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 1,116 airplanes of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 655 airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 
work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$127,725, or $195 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. Manufacturer warranty remedies may be available 
for labor costs associated with this AD. As a result, the costs 
attributable to the AD may be less than stated above.

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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-05-09 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13503. Docket 2000-NM-
170-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 
(MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and MD-88 airplanes; certificated in any 
category; as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin 
MD80-24A158, Revision 01, dated February 23, 2000.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent wire chafing and subsequent shorting to structure in 
the forward cargo compartment, which could result in smoke or fire 
in the airplane, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Follow-On Actions

    (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, perform a 
one-time general visual inspection for chafing of wiring in the 
left-hand tunnel area of the forward cargo compartment between Y = 
237.000 and Y = 256.000, per the Accomplishment Instructions of 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-24A158, Revision 01, 
dated February 23, 2000. Then, do paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of 
this AD, as applicable.
    (1) If any chafing is found, before further flight, repair per 
the service bulletin.
    (2) Before further flight, coil and stow excess wiring per the 
service bulletin.

    Note 1: 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 from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight 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.''

Inspections Accomplished per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (b) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD 
per McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD80-24-158, dated October 
27, 1995, are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding action specified in this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin 
MD80-24A158, Revision 01, dated February 23, 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 Airplanes, 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 April 7, 2004.


[[Page 9943]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 20, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-4560 Filed 3-2-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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