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

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 247 (Monday, December 27, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72270-72272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33444]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-05-AD; Amendment 39-11428; AD 99-24-04 C1]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

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SUMMARY: This document corrects information in an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain McDonnell Douglas 
Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-88

[[Page 72271]]

airplanes. That AD currently requires a one-time visual inspection to 
determine whether self-aligning nuts are installed at certain locations 
of the aft pressure bulkhead tee; and corrective actions, if necessary. 
This document corrects a typographical error in a service bulletin 
reference. This correction is necessary to ensure that the appropriate 
service information is used to accomplish the AD.

DATES: Effective December 27, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations was approved previously by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of December 27, 1999. (64 FR 63187, November 19, 1999).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Fountain, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5222; fax (562) 
627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-24-04, 
amendment 39-11428, applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-
80 series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes, was published in the 
Federal Register on November 19, 1999 (64 FR 63187). That AD requires a 
one-time visual inspection to determine whether self-aligning nuts are 
installed at certain locations of the aft pressure bulkhead tee; and 
corrective actions, if necessary. That AD was prompted by reports of 
failures of certain Hi-Lok pin fasteners of the aft pressure bulkhead 
tee due to installation of non-self-aligning nuts. The actions required 
by that AD are intended to prevent failure of certain Hi-Lok pin 
fasteners and subsequent gouging of the aft pressure bulkhead tee, 
which could result in fatigue cracking and reduced structural integrity 
of the airplane.

Need for the Correction

    Information obtained recently by the FAA indicates that paragraph 
(a) of AD 99-24-04 contains a typographical error. That paragraph 
references ``McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD80-53-201, Revision 
02, dated July 20, 1998, as revised by Information Notice MD90-53-201 
RO2, dated October 21, 1998,'' as the appropriate source of service 
information for accomplishment of the general visual inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of the AD.
    The FAA has determined that a correction to paragraph (a) of AD 99-
24-04 is necessary. The correction will reference the appropriate 
Information Notice as ``* * * Information Notice MD80-53-201 * * *''.

Correction of Publication

    This document corrects the error and correctly adds the AD as an 
amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
39.13).
    The AD is reprinted in its entirety for the convenience of affected 
operators. The effective date of the AD remains December 27, 1999.
    Since this action only a typographical error, it has no adverse 
economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any person. 
Therefore, the FAA has determined that notice and public procedures are 
unnecessary.

List of Subject in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Correction

    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  [Corrected]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by correctly adding the following 
airworthiness directive (AD):

99-24-04 C1  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11428. Docket 99-NM-05-
AD.

    Applicability: 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; as listed in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD80-53-
201, Revision 02, dated July 20, 1998; 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 failure of certain Hi-Lok pin fasteners and 
subsequent gouging of the aft pressure bulkhead tee, which could 
result in fatigue cracking and reduced structural integrity of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time general visual inspection to determine whether 
self-aligning nuts are installed at certain locations of the aft 
pressure bulkhead tee, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service 
Bulletin MD80-53-201, Revision 02, dated July 20, 1998, as revised 
by Information Notice MD80-53-201 R02, dated October 21, 1998.

    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.''

    (1) If all nuts installed are self-aligning, no further action 
is required by this AD.
    (2) If any nut is determined to be non-self-aligning, prior to 
further flight, remove the existing nut and perform a one-time 
visual inspection to detect gouges in the aft pressure bulkhead tee 
on station Y=1338.000 and longeron end fitting, as applicable, in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (i) If no gouge is detected, prior to further flight, install 
new self-aligning nuts in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (ii) If any gouge is detected that is within the repair limits 
specified in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair 
the gouge and install new self-aligning nuts in accordance with the 
service bulletin.
    (iii) If any gouge is detected that is outside the repair limits 
specified in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair 
in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate.

    Note 3: Inspections, and repair of the aft pressure bulkhead tee 
longeron end fittings prior to the effective date of this AD, in 
accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD80-53-201, 
dated July 6, 1988, or Revision 1, dated March 22, 1991, are 
considered acceptable for compliance with the actions required by 
paragraph (a) 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 ACO. 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

[[Page 72272]]

compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los 
Angeles ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) Except as provided by paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this AD, the 
actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service 
Bulletin MD80-53-201, Revision 02, dated July 20, 1998. This 
incorporation by reference was approved previously by the Director 
of the Federal Register as of December 27, 1999 (64 FR 63187, 
November 19, 1999). 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 90712; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) The effective date of this amendment remains December 27, 
1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 20, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-33444 Filed 12-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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