Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 Series Airplanes and Model MD-90-30 and MD-88 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 171 (Thursday, September 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46875-46876]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23603]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-10-AD; Amendment 39-10733; AD 98-18-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 Series 
Airplanes and Model MD-90-30 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 all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and 
Model MD-90-30 and MD-88 airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection 
of the harness assembly of the tailcone emergency evacuation slide to 
determine the diameter of the swaged balls; reidentification of the 
harness assembly; and reinstallation or replacement of the assembly 
with a new assembly, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by a 
failed deployment of the tailcone emergency evacuation slide during a 
system test conducted by the manufacturer. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the tailcone emergency 
evacuation slide to deploy automatically due to incorrect diameter of 
the swaged balls on the wire rope of the harness assembly.

DATES: Effective October 8, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 8, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from The Boeing Company, Douglas Products Division, 3855 
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical 
Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). 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, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
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: Alan Sinclair, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5338; 
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 all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-
80 series airplanes and Model MD-90-30 and MD-88 airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on May 5, 1998 (63 FR 24762). That 
action proposed to require a one-time inspection of the harness 
assembly of the tailcone emergency evacuation slide to determine the 
diameter of the swaged balls; reidentification of the harness assembly; 
and reinstallation or replacement of the assembly with a new assembly, 
if necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
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 943 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 570 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, 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 $68,400, or 
$120 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.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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:

[[Page 46876]]

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:

98-18-17  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-10733. Docket 98-NM-10-AD.

    Applicability: All Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-
83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplanes; and Model MD-88 
and MD-90-30 airplanes; 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 (c) 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 failure of the tailcone emergency evacuation slide to 
deploy automatically due to incorrect diameter of the swaged balls 
on the wire rope of the harness assembly, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time inspection of the harness assembly of the tailcone 
emergency evacuation slide to determine the diameter of the swaged 
balls; in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin 
MD80-25A364 [for Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 
(MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplanes, and Model MD-88 
airplanes]; or MD90-25A030 (for Model MD-90-30 airplanes); both 
dated October 30, 1997.
    (1) If the swaged balls are within the limits specified in the 
applicable alert service bulletin, prior to further flight, 
reidentify and reinstall the harness assembly in accordance with the 
applicable alert service bulletin.
    (2) If the swaged balls are outside the limits specified in the 
applicable alert service bulletin, prior to further flight, replace 
the harness assembly having part number (P/N) 8370024-3 with a new 
harness assembly having P/N 8370024-9 or 8370024-3H, as applicable, 
in accordance with the applicable alert service bulletin.
    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a harness assembly, (P/N) 8370024-3, on any airplane.
    (c) 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, Transport Airplane Directorate. 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.
    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-25A364, dated October 30, 1997, 
or McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-25A030, dated 
October 30, 1997, as applicable. 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 The 
Boeing Company, Douglas Products Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, 
Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications 
Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on October 8, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 26, 1998.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-23603 Filed 9-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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