[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 22, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15035-15037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-6320]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-172-AD; Amendment 39-9176; AD 95-06-06]


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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9, DC-9-80, and C-9 
(military) series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes, that requires 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 
amendment also requires application of sealant to the wire termination 
lugs and the attachment screws. This amendment 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 this 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: Effective April 21, 1995. -
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 21, 1995.

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. LS1, 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 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: 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an 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, was published in the Federal Register on November 22, 1994 
(59 FR 60097). That action proposed to 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. That action also proposed to require 
application of sealant to the wire termination lugs and the attachment 
screws. -
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received. -
    One commenter states that it plans to incorporate the service 
bulletin referenced in the proposed rule into its ``heavy check'' 
maintenance visits, which occur approximately every 18 months. The FAA 
infers from this comment that the commenter would [[Page 15036]] like 
the compliance time for the visual inspection of the wire termination 
lugs on the ignition selector switch to be extended from the proposed 8 
months to 18 months. The FAA concurs. The FAA's intent was that the 
inspection be accomplished during a regularly scheduled maintenance for 
the majority of the affected fleet, when the airplanes would be located 
at a base where special equipment and trained personnel would be 
readily available, if necessary. Based on the information supplied by 
the commenter, the FAA now recognizes that 18 months corresponds more 
closely to the interval representative of the commenter's normal 
maintenance schedules. Paragraph (a) of the final rule has been revised 
to reflect a compliance time of 18 months. The FAA does not consider 
that this extension will adversely affect safety. -
    Another commenter questions the applicability of the proposed rule. 
The commenter states that the service bulletin referenced in the 
proposed AD is effective for Model DC-9 series airplanes that are 
equipped with a
20/4 Joule Ignition System. The commenter's Model DC-9 series airplanes 
are equipped with Dual 20 Joule Ignition System and, therefore, the 
commenter states that this should exclude its airplanes from the 
applicability of the AD. The FAA concurs that clarification is 
necessary. The applicability statement of this AD indicates that only 
those airplanes listed in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 24-
121, dated February 24, 1992, are applicable to its requirements. As 
the commenter points out, the service bulletin applies only to 
airplanes equipped with a 20/4 Joule Ignition System. The FAA's intent 
is to limit the applicability of this AD only to those airplanes that 
have been identified as subject to the addressed unsafe condition. In 
light of this, the applicability of the final rule has been revised to 
clarify that only those Model DC-9 series airplanes listed in the 
referenced service bulletin and equipped with 20/4 Joule Ignition 
Systems (and) are subject to the requirements of the AD.
    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 with the changes previously 
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.
    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 will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 
work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The costs of required 
parts would be nominal. Based on these figures, the total cost impact 
of the 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 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    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:

95-06-06  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9176. Docket 94-NM-172-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9, DC-9-80, and C-9 (Military) series 
airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, equipped with a 20/4 Joule 
ignition system; 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 uncontained failure of the engine starter, which 
could cause damage to the engine cowling, damage to adjacent engine 
components, and possible fire in the cowling, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 18 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 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 wire terminations with the 
barrel up, and encapsulate 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 wire 
terminations with the barrel up, as required by paragraph (a)(1) of 
this AD, submit an accomplishment report of the modification, 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 [[Page 15037]] 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 
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.
    (e) The inspection, removal, reinstallation, and encapsulation 
shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service 
Bulletin 24-121, dated February 24, 1992. 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. LS1, M.C. 2-98. Copies may 
be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 21, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 9, 1995.
Neil D. Schalekamp,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-6320 Filed 3-21-95; 8:45 am]
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