[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-5406]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 11, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-161-AD; Amendment 39-8848; AD 94-06-01]

 

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 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-9-80 series airplanes 
and Model MD-88 airplanes, that requires inspection of the ceiling 
pressure relief panels in the cargo compartments to determine if 
slotted attach points are present and, if not, modification of the 
panels. This amendment is prompted by a report that certain panels were 
manufactured without the appropriate slotted attach points. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to ensure that the action of the 
cargo compartment pressure relief panels will enable the airplane to 
withstand a rapid decompression caused by a hole below the compartment 
floor.

DATES: Effective April 11, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 11, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach, 
California 90801-1771, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical 
Administrative Support, Dept. L51, M.C. 2-98. 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 Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, 
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Hempe, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long 
Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-5224; fax (310) 988-
5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 series airplanes 
and Model MD-88 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
November 23, 1993 (58 FR 61853). That action proposed to require 
inspection of the ceiling pressure relief panels to determine if 
slotted attach points are present, and modification of the panel(s), if 
necessary.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the three comments received.
    All commenters support the proposed rule. -
    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.
    There are approximately 1,016 Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and 
Model MD-88 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. 
The FAA estimates that 556 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 
$55 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the 
inspection requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$30,580, or $55 per airplane.
    The total 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. -
    If modification of a panel is necessary, accomplishing the 
modification will entail approximately 5.4 work hours, at an average 
labor rate of $55 per work hour. No additional parts will be required. 
Based on these figures, the total cost of impact of any necessary 
modification is estimated to be $297 per panel.
    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 14 CFR part 
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES -

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

94-06-1 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-8848. Docket 93-NM-161-AD.

     -Applicability: Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 
(MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplanes, and Model MD-88 
airplanes; as listed in McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 25-
335, dated April 28, 1993; certificated in any category. -
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously. -
    To ensure that the action of the cargo compartment ceiling 
relief panels will enable the airplane to withstand a rapid 
decompression caused by a hole below the compartment floor, 
accomplish the following: -
    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect the ceiling relief panels in the forward, mid, and aft cargo 
compartments to determine if slotted attach points are present, in 
accordance with McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 25-335, 
dated April 28, 1993. -
    (1) If slotted attach points are present, no further action is 
required by this AD.
    (2) If slotted attach points are not present on any panel, prior 
to further flight, modify that panel in accordance with the service 
bulletin. -
    (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). 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: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

     -(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the 
airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be 
accomplished. -
    (d) The inspection and modification shall be done in accordance 
with McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 25-335, dated April 
28, 1993. 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 McDonnell Douglas 
Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach, California 90801-1771, 
Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical Administrative Support, 
Dept. L51, M.C. 2-98. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 
at the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, 
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. -
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on April 11, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 3, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-5406 Filed 3-10-94; 8:45 am]
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