[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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