[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 224 (Tuesday, November 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-28744]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 22, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-172-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 adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
DC-9, DC-9-80, and C-9 (military) series airplanes and Model MD-88 
airplanes. This proposal would require a visual inspection to verify 
proper installation of the wire termination lugs on the ignition 
selector switch, and removal and correct installation of any improperly 
installed wire termination lugs. This proposal would also require 
application of sealant to the wire termination lugs and the attachment 
screws. This proposal is prompted by a report that, during the 
manufacturer's production flight testing, an abnormal engine start 
valve open annunciation for engine No. 2 occurred and resulted in an 
uncontained failure of the engine starter. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent damage to the engine cowling, 
damage to adjacent engine components, and possible fire in the cowling, 
due to an uncontained failure of the engine starter.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 19, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-172-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, Dept. LS1, 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, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Baitoo, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (310) 627-5245; fax (310) 627-
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-172-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-172-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report that, during the manufacturer's 
production flight testing, an abnormal engine start valve open 
annunciation for engine No. 2 occurred on a Model DC-9 series airplane. 
After the airplane landed, inspection revealed that an uncontained 
failure of the engine starter on engine No. 2 had occurred. 
Investigation revealed that a wire termination lug in the ignition 
selector switch was installed barrel down, and consequently, contacted 
an adjacent terminal, causing an electrical short. This electrical 
short at the ignition selector switch caused the engine start valve to 
stay open and resulted in an uncontained failure of the engine starter. 
This condition, if not corrected, could result in damage to the engine 
cowling, damage to adjacent engine components, and possible fire in the 
cowling.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service 
Bulletin 24-121, dated February 24, 1992, which describes procedures 
for visual inspection to verify proper installation of the wire 
termination lugs on the ignition selector switch. This service bulletin 
also describes procedures for removal and proper installation of the 
wire termination lug if it is found to be installed incorrectly. 
Additionally, the service bulletin describes procedures for the 
application of a sealant to the termination lugs and attachment screws.
    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 require a one-time visual inspection to verify proper 
installation of the wire termination lugs on the ignition selector 
switch. The proposed AD would also require removal of the wire 
termination lugs and reinstallation, if they are installed improperly. 
Additionally, the proposed AD would require the application of a 
sealant to the termination lugs and attachment screws. The actions 
would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service 
bulletin described previously.

[Note: As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general, 
some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on 
airplanes that are identified in the applicability provision of the 
AD, but that have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by 
the AD. Under these circumstances, at least one operator appears to 
have incorrectly assumed that its airplane was not subject to an AD. 
On the contrary, all airplanes identified in the applicability 
provision of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has 
been altered or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to 
affect compliance with the AD, the owner or operator is required to 
obtain FAA approval for an alternative method of compliance with the 
AD, in accordance with the paragraph of each AD that provides for 
such approvals. A note has been included in this notice to clarify 
this requirement.]

    There are approximately 1,954 Model DC-9, DC-9-80, and C-9 series 
airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 1,097 airplanes of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The cost 
of required parts would be nominal. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$131,640 or $120 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 94-NM-172-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9 and C-9 (Military) series airplanes, 
and Model MD-88 airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 
Service Bulletin 24-121, dated February 24, 1992, 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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the FAA. This 
approval may address either no action, if the current configuration 
eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to 
address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request 
should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent an engine start valve uncontained failure, which 
could cause damage to the engine cowling, damage to adjacent engine 
components, and possible fire in the cowling, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 8 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a visual inspection of the wire termination lugs on the ignition 
selector switch located in the forward overhead switch panel in the 
flight compartment to determine if the lugs are installed correctly, 
in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 24-121, 
dated February 24, 1992.
    (1) If any wire termination lug is improperly installed, prior 
to further flight, remove and reinstall the wire terminations with 
the barrel up, and encapsulate the wire termination lugs and 
attachment screws with sealant, in accordance with the service 
bulletin.
    (2) If all wire termination lugs are properly installed, prior 
to further flight, encapsulate the termination lugs and attachment 
screws with sealant in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (b) Within 10 days after removing and reinstalling any wire 
terminations with the barrel up, as required by paragraph (a)(1), 
submit a report of that action to the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712, Attention: Robert 
Baitoo, ANM-140L; fax (310) 627-5210. Information collection 
requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have 
been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 16, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-28744 Filed 11-21-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U