[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 15, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8544-8545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-2177]



[[Page 8544]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-216-AD; Amendment 39-9130; AD 95-02-11]


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-87 (MD-87) 
Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-87 (MD-87) series 
airplanes. This action requires an inspection to detect chafing or 
arcing damage to the wiring of the aft right coatroom, the intercostal, 
and the recirculation duct assembly near longeron 5; and modification 
of the wiring installation for the aft right coatroom. This amendment 
is prompted by a report of an electrical fire that started due to a 
short in the coatroom wiring, which was caused by arcing and chafing 
damage to the wiring. The actions specified in this AD are intended to 
prevent severe damage to the airframe in the event of a fire caused by 
arcing and chafing damage to the coatroom wiring.

DATES: Effective March 2, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 2, 1995.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before April 17, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-216-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056.
    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 
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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elvin K. Wheeler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-132L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (310) 627-5344; fax 
(310) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA received a report of an electrical 
fire that started behind the aft right coatroom on a McDonnell Douglas 
Model DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplane. Investigation revealed that the 
fire occurred due to a short in the coatroom wiring, which was caused 
by arcing and chafing damage to the wiring between an intercostal and a 
recirculation air duct assembly. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in severe damage to the airframe.
    McDonnell Douglas has issued MD-80 Service Bulletin 24-151, dated 
September 29, 1994, which describes procedures for a visual inspection 
to detect chafing or arcing damage to the wiring of the aft right 
coatroom, the intercostal, and the recirculation duct assembly near 
longeron 5 (between stations Y=1078.000 and Y=1098.000), and 
modification of the wiring installation for the aft right coatroom. The 
modification entails removing any damaged wiring, cutting a hole in the 
intercostal and installing a clip assembly, and rerouting the wiring 
for the aft right coatroom through the modified intercostal. 
Modification of the wiring installation for the aft right coatroom will 
minimize the possibility of chafing damage.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is 
being issued to prevent severe damage to the airframe in the event of a 
fire. This AD requires a visual inspection to detect chafing or arcing 
damage to the wiring of the aft right coatroom, the intercostal, and 
the recirculation duct assembly near longeron 5 (between stations 
Y=1078.000 and Y=1098.000), and modification of the wiring installation 
for the aft right coatroom. The actions are required to be accomplished 
in accordance with the service bulletin described previously, with the 
exception of modifying the wiring installation for airplanes on which 
any arcing damage to the intercostal or recirculation air duct assembly 
is found; that modification is required to be accomplished in 
accordance with a method approved by the FAA.
    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. The FAA 
points out that 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 rule to clarify this requirement.
    None of the Model DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplanes affected by this 
action is on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the 
applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators 
under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by 
this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary 
to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any 
of these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register 
in the future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 7 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $410 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD would be $830 
per airplane.
    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
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 under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in 
[[Page 8545]] evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and 
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 94-NM-216-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    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:

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:

95-02-11  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9130. Docket 94-NM-216-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplanes having 
factory serial numbers (FSN) 49605 through 49612 inclusive, 49614, 
53009 through 53011 inclusive, 53336, 53337, 53340, and 53348; 
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 (b) 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 severe damage to the airframe in the event of a fire, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a visual inspection to detect chafing or arcing damage to 
the wiring of the aft right coatroom, the intercostal, and the 
recirculation duct assembly near longeron 5 (between stations 
Y=1078.000 and Y=1098.000), in accordance with McDonnell Douglas MD-
80 Service Bulletin 24-151, dated September 29, 1994.
    (1) If no damage is found, prior to further flight, modify the 
wiring installation for the aft right coatroom (reference paragraph 
1.C., Condition I, of the service bulletin) in accordance with the 
procedures described in the service bulletin.
    (2) If any damage is found, prior to further flight, modify the 
wiring installation for the aft right coatroom (reference paragraph 
1.C., Condition II, of the service bulletin) in accordance with the 
procedures described in 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 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 2: 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 
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.
    (d) The inspection and modification shall be done in accordance 
with McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Serivce Bulletin 24-151, dated 
September 29, 1994. 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 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 2, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 24, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-2177 Filed 2-14-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U