[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 217 (Thursday, November 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27853]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: November 10, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-92-AD]
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9, DC-9-80,
and C-9 (Military) Series Airplanes, and Model MD-88 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-
9, DC-9-80, and C-9 (military) series airplanes, and Model MD-88
airplanes, that currently requires certain inspections and structural
modifications. This action would require additional inspections and
structural modifications. This proposal is prompted by an evaluation
conducted by the Airworthiness Assurance Working Group (AAWG), Model
DC-9/MD-80 Task Group, which identified additional modifications for
mandatory action. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended
to prevent degradation in the structural capabilities of the affected
airplanes. This action also reflects the FAA's decision that long term
continued operational safety should be assured by actual modification
of the airframe, where feasible, rather than only by repetitive
inspections for known service problems.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 23, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-92-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach,
California 90801-1771, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical
Administrative Support, Department L51, M.C. 2-98. This information may
be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East
Spring Street, Long Beach, California.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Y. J. Hsu, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-122L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long
Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-5323; fax (310) 988-
5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 94-NM-92-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 94-NM-92-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On August 6, 1990, the FAA issued AD 90-18-03, amendment 39-6701
(55 FR 34704, August 24, 1990), applicable to Model DC-9, DC-9-80, and
C-9 (military) series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, to require
certain inspections and structural modifications. That action was
prompted by reports of incidents involving fatigue cracking, corrosion,
and stress corrosion cracking in transport category airplanes that are
approaching or have exceeded their economic design goal. These
incidents have jeopardized the airworthiness of the affected airplanes.
The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent degradation in the
structural capabilities of the affected airplanes.
Since the issuance of that AD, the Airworthiness Assurance Working
Group (AAWG), Model DC-9/MD-80 Task Group, comprised of representatives
from operators of Model DC-9/MD-80 series airplanes, the manufacturer,
and the FAA, has completed its review of certain service bulletins that
are applicable to aging Model DC-9/MD-80 series airplanes. The Task
Group has recommended these service bulletins for mandatory inspection
and structural modification in order to reduce the potential for major
structural failure of those airplanes.
Consequently, McDonnell Douglas has issued Revision B to Report No.
MDC K1572, ``DC-9/MD80 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements
Document,'' dated January 15, 1993. The Task Group's most recent
recommendations for mandatory actions are contained in Tables 2.3, 2.4,
and 3.1 of that document. (The actions contained in Tables 2.1 and 2.2
were made mandatory by AD 90-18-03.) The FAA has reviewed and approved
that document. Tables 2.3 and 2.4 of the document reference the
following service bulletins:
1. One service bulletin that describes inspections and modification
of the slat drive mechanism;
2. Four service bulletins that describe inspections and
modifications of the doors;
3. Eleven service bulletins that describe inspections and
modifications of the fuselage;
4. Four service bulletins that describe inspections and
modifications of the horizontal stabilizers;
5. Two service bulletins that describe inspections and
modifications of the wings;
6. One service bulletin that describes inspections and modification
of the engine thrust reverser system;
7. One service bulletin that describes inspections and modification
of the nose gear steering;
8. Two service bulletins that describe inspections and
modifications of the engine pylon;
9. One service bulletin that describes inspections and modification
of the rudder; and
10. Two service bulletins that describe inspections and
modifications of the main landing gear structures.
Table 3.1 of the document references the following service
bulletins for mandatory inspections:
1. One service bulletin that describes inspections of the doors;
2. One service bulletin that describes inspections of the engine
pylons; and
3. Two service bulletins that describe inspections of the wings.
(These two service bulletins were made mandatory by AD 90-18-03.) -
The Task Group has also recommended, for mandatory modification,
the actions contained in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 53-
230, Revision 1, dated January 12, 1993. The FAA has reviewed and
approved this service bulletin, which describes procedures for
installation of doublers and clips at the intersections of upper
longerons/intercostals and fuselage frames between longerons 10L and
10R at various overwing stations between Y=484.000 and Y=851.000, as
applicable, depending upon series of the airplane. Accomplishment of
these modifications would terminate the inspections required by AD 88-
24-08 R2, amendment 39-6469 (55 FR 1002, January 11, 1990), which
requires external eddy current inspection to detect cracking of the
fuselage skin and certain longerons, internal visual inspections of
certain longerons, and repair of any findings of cracking. -
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would supersede AD 90-18-03 to require additional
structural modifications and inspections. The actions would be required
to be accomplished in accordance with the document described
previously. -
There are approximately 892 Model DC-9 and C-9 (military) series
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. -
The FAA estimates that 568 Model DC-9 and C-9 (military) series
airplanes of U.S. registry were originally affected by AD 90-18-03. The
requirements of that AD were estimated to take approximately 946 work
hours to accomplish, at a current average labor rate of $55 per work
hour. The cost for required modification kits was estimated to be
$15,140 per airplane. Based on these figures, the FAA estimated that
the total cost impact of AD 90-18-03 on U.S. operators of Model DC-9
and C-9 (military) series airplanes would be $38,152,560, or $67,170
per airplane, over the initial 4-year time period. (These figures do
not include the cost of downtime, planning, set-up, familiarization, or
tool acquisition.) -
The FAA estimates that a total of 511 Model DC-9 and C-9 (military)
series airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by the new
requirements specified in this proposed AD. The new additional
requirements proposed by this AD action would take approximately 638
additional work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor
rate of $55 per work hour. Required parts would cost an additional
$37,027 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total additional cost
impact of this proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$36,851,787, or $72,117 per airplane, over a 4-year time period. (These
figures do not include the cost of downtime, planning, set-up,
familiarization, and tool acquisition.) -
There are approximately 1,090 Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and
Model MD-88 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. -
The FAA estimates that 173 Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model
MD-88 airplanes of U.S. registry were originally affected by AD 90-18-
03. The requirements of that AD were estimated to take approximately 47
work hours to accomplish, at a current average labor rate of $55 per
work hour. The cost for required modification kits was estimated to be
$752 per airplane. Based on these figures, the FAA estimated that the
total cost impact of AD 90-18-03 on U.S. operators of Model DC-9-80
series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes would be $577,301, or $3,337
per airplane, over the initial 4-year time period. (These figures do
not include the cost of downtime, planning, set-up, familiarization, or
tool acquisition.) -
The FAA estimates that a total of 615 Model DC-9-80 series
airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected
by the new requirements specified in this proposed AD. This increase in
the number of affected airplanes is due to various reasons, including
transfer of ownership and the fact that additional airplanes have
accumulated time-in-service since the issuance of AD 90-18-03 and have
reached the threshold for modification/inspection. The new additional
requirements proposed by this AD action would take approximately 13
additional work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average labor
rate of $55 per work hour. Required parts would cost an additional $943
per airplane. Based on these figures, the total additional cost impact
of this proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,019,670, or
$1,658 per airplane, over a 4-year time period. (These figures do not
include the cost of downtime, planning, set-up, familiarization, or
tool acquisition.) -
The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished the currently
required or the newly proposed requirements of this AD action; however,
it can reasonably be assumed that a majority of affected operators have
already initiated the inspections and structural modifications required
by AD 90-18-03 [retained in paragraphs (a) and (d) of this AD] and many
may have already initiated the additional inspections and structural
modifications proposed in this new AD action. -
The number of required work hours, as indicated above, is presented
as if the accomplishment of the actions proposed in this AD were to be
conducted as ``stand alone'' actions. However, in actual practice,
these actions for the most part would be accomplished coincidentally or
in combination with normally scheduled airplane inspections and other
maintenance program tasks. Therefore, the actual number of necessary
additional work hours would be minimal in many instances. Additionally,
any costs associated with special airplane scheduling would be minimal.
-
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. -
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 -
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment -
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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. 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 removing amendment 39-6701 (55 FR
34704, August 24, 1990), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), to read as follows:
McDonnell Douglas: Docket 94-NM-92-AD. Supersedes AD 90-18-03,
Amendment 39-6701.
Applicability: Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, -50 series
airplanes; Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), -82 (MD-82), -83 (MD-83), and -87
(MD-87) series airplanes; Model MD-88 airplanes; and C-9 (military)
series airplanes; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent structural failure, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the threshold for inspections specified in the
service bulletins listed in either Table 2.1 [for Model DC-9-10, -
20, -30, -40, -50, and C-9 (military) series airplanes], or Table
2.2 [for Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, -87 (MD-81, -82, -83, -87), and
Model MD-88 airplanes], as applicable, of McDonnell Douglas Report
No. MDC K1572, ``DC-9/MD-80 Aging Aircraft Service Action
Requirements Document,'' Revision A, dated June 1, 1990 (hereinafter
referred to as ``SARD, Revision A''), or within one repetitive
inspection period specified in those service bulletins after
September 24, 1990 (the effective date of AD 90-18-03, Amendment 39-
6701), whichever occurs later: Inspect to detect cracks in
accordance with those service bulletins. Repeat these inspections
thereafter at the intervals specified in the service bulletins
listed in either Table 2.1 [for Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, -50,
and C-9 (military) series airplanes], or Table 2.2 [for Model DC-9-
81, -82, -83, -87 (MD-81, -82, -83, -87), and Model MD-88
airplanes], as applicable, of SARD, Revision A, until the applicable
terminating modification required by paragraph (d) of this AD is
accomplished.
-Note 1: Paragraph (a) of this AD restates the requirements for
an initial inspection and the repetitive inspections contained in
paragraph A. of AD 90-18-03. Therefore, for operators who have
previously accomplished at least the initial inspection in
accordance with AD 90-18-03, paragraph (a) of this AD requires that
the next scheduled inspection be performed within the specified
repetitive inspection interval after the last inspection performed
in accordance with paragraph A. of AD 90-18-03.
-(b) Within the threshold for inspections specified in the
service bulletins listed in Tables 2.3 and 3.1 [for Model DC-9-10, -
20, -30, -40, -50, and C-9 (military) series airplanes], or Table
2.4 [for Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, -87 (MD-81, -82, -83, -87), and
Model MD-88 airplanes], as applicable, of McDonnell Douglas Report
No. MDC K1572, ``DC-9/MD-80 Aging Aircraft Service Action
Requirements Document,'' Revision B, dated January 15, 1993
(hereinafter referred to as ``SARD, Revision B''), or within one
repetitive inspection period specified in those service bulletins
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Inspect
to detect cracks in accordance with those service bulletins. Repeat
these inspections thereafter at the intervals specified in the
service bulletins listed in either paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of
this AD, as applicable, until the applicable terminating
modification required by paragraph (e) of this AD is accomplished. -
(1) For Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, -50, and C-9 (military)
series airplanes: The service bulletins listed in Tables 2.3 and 3.1
of SARD, Revision B. Or -
(2) For Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, -87 (MD-81, -82, -83, -87), and
Model MD-88 airplanes: The service bulletins listed in Table 2.4 of
SARD, Revision B. -
(c) If any crack is found during any inspection required by this
AD, prior to further flight, either accomplish the applicable
terminating modification in accordance with paragraph (d) or (e) of
this AD, or repair in accordance with a method approved by the
Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate.
-Note 2: Detection of any discrepancy, other than cracking,
necessitates appropriate corrective action in accordance with the
provisions of part 43 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
part 43).
-(d) Prior to reaching the incorporation thresholds listed in
either Table 2.1 [for Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, -50, and C-9
(military) series airplanes], or Table 2.2 [for Model DC-9-81, -82,
-83, -87 (MD-81, -82, -83, -87), and Model MD-88 airplanes], as
applicable, of SARD, Revision A or Revision B, or within 4 years
after September 24, 1990 (the effective date of AD 90-18-03),
whichever occurs later: Accomplish the structural modifications
specified in the service bulletins listed in either Table 2.1 [for
Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, -50, and C-9 (military) series
airplanes], or Table 2.2 [for Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, -87 (MD-81, -
82, -83, -87), and Model MD-88 airplanes], as applicable, of SARD,
Revision A or Revision B. Accomplishment of these modifications
constitutes terminating action for the applicable inspections
required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
-Note 3: Paragraph (d) of this AD restates the modification
requirements of paragraph B. of AD 90-18-03. As allowed by the
phrase, ``unless accomplished previously,'' if the requirements of
paragraph B. of AD 90-18-03 have been accomplished previously,
paragraph (d) of this AD does not require that they be repeated. -
Note 4: The service bulletin revision levels listed under
``Recommended Modification'' in either Table 2.1 [for Model DC-9-10,
-20, -30, -40, -50, and C-9 (military) series airplanes], or Table
2.2 [for Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, -87 (MD-81, -82, -83, -87), and
Model MD-88 airplanes], as applicable, of SARD, Revision B, are
acceptable revisions for modifications accomplished prior to
September 24, 1994.
-(e) Prior to reaching the incorporation thresholds listed in
either Table 2.3 [for Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, -50, and C-9
(military) series airplanes], or Table 2.4 [for Model DC-9-81, -82,
-83, -87 (MD-81, -82, -83, -87), and Model MD-88 airplanes], as
applicable, of SARD, Revision B, or within 4 years after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Accomplish the
structural modifications specified in the service bulletins listed
in either Table 2.3 [for Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, -50, and C-9
(military) series airplanes], or Table 2.4 [for Model DC-9-81, -82,
-83, -87 (MD-81, -82, -83, -87), and Model MD-88 airplanes], as
applicable, of SARD, Revision B.
Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating
action for the applicable inspections required by paragraph (b) of
this AD.
-Note 5: The service bulletin revision levels listed under
``Recommended Modification'' in either Table 2.3 [for Model DC-9-10,
-20, -30, -40, -50, and C-9 (military) series airplanes], or Table
2.4 [for Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, -87 (MD-81, -82, -83, -87), and
Model MD-88 airplanes] of SARD, Revision B, are acceptable revisions
for modifications accomplished prior to the effective date of this
AD. -
Note 6: The modifications required by paragraphs (d) and (e) of
this AD do not terminate the inspection requirements of any other AD
unless that AD specifies that any such modification constitutes
terminating action for those specified inspection requirements.
(f) For Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, -50, and C-9 (military)
series airplanes: Prior to the accumulation of 100,000 total
landings, accomplish the modifications specified in McDonnell
Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 53-230, Revision 1, dated January 12,
1993. Accomplishment of these modifications constitute terminating
action for the inspections required by AD 88-24-08 R2, amendment 39-
6469. -
(g) Accomplishment of the modifications in accordance with the
service bulletins listed in Tables 2.1 and 2.3 [for Model DC-9-10, -
20, -30, -40, -50, and C-9 (military) series airplanes], or Tables
2.2 and 2.4 [for Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, -87 (MD-81, -82, -83, -
87), and Model MD-88 airplanes] of SARD, Revision A or B, terminates
the individual inspection requirements of the applicable service
bulletin. -
(h) The requirements of this AD exclude the actions specified in
the following McDonnell Douglas service bulletins that are
referenced in the following tables of SARD, Revision A or B:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table(s)- Service Bulletin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.1 and 2.2-..... MD-80 Service Bulletin 53-186.
2.2-............. MD-80 Service Bulletin 53-216
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-(i) 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 7: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
(j) Alternative methods of compliance previously granted for
amendment AD 90-18-03, 39-6701 continue to be considered as
acceptable alternative methods of compliance with this amendment.
(k) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 4, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-27853 Filed 11-9-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U