[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 20, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48639-48641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-22714]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-144-AD; Amendment 39-9371; AD 95-19-09]


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 Series 
Airplanes and Model MD-88 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-9-80 series airplanes 
and Model MD-88 airplanes. This action requires an inspection to detect 
damage, burn marks, or discoloration at certain electrical plugs and 
receptacles of the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin, and 
correction of discrepancies. This action also requires modification of 
the electrical connectors, which would terminate the inspection 
requirement. This amendment is prompted by reports of failures of the 
electrical connectors in the sidewall fluorescent lighting, which 
resulted in smoke or lighting interruption in the passenger cabin. The 
actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent failures of the 
electrical connectors, which could result in poor socket/pin contact, 
excessive heat, electrical arcing, and subsequently, connector burn 
through and smoke in the passenger cabin.

DATES: Effective October 5, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 5, 1995.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before November 20, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-144-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, 
California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business 
Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). 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-130L, 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: On April 5, 1995, the FAA issued AD 95-08-
04, amendment 39-9193 (60 FR 19348, April 18, 1995), applicable to 
certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-
88 airplanes, to require a visual inspection to detect damage, burn 
marks, or black or brown discoloration at certain electrical plugs and 
receptacles of the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin. The 
amendment also requires modification of the electrical connectors of 
the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin, which would constitute 
terminating action for the inspection requirement. That action was 
prompted by reports of failures of the electrical connectors in the 
sidewall fluorescent lighting, which resulted in smoke or lighting 
interruption in the passenger cabin. The requirements of that AD are 
intended to prevent failures of the electrical connectors, which could 
result in poor socket/pin contact, excessive heat, electrical arcing, 
and subsequently, connector burn through and smoke in the passenger 
cabin.
    Since the issuance of AD 95-08-04, the FAA has reviewed and 
approved Revision 1 of McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 33-99, 
dated February 23, 1995. The inspection, replacement, and modification 
procedures described in this revision are identical to those described 
in the original version, which was referenced in AD 95-08-04 as the 
appropriate source of service information. (This revision also contains 
certain minor editorial changes.) Additionally, this effectivity 
listing in this revision is expanded to include ten additional 
airplanes: those having serial numbers 49614, 49626 through 49632 
inclusive, 496368, and 49707. The FAA has determined that these 
additional airplanes are subject to the addressed unsafe condition.
    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 failures of the electrical connectors, which 
could result in poor socket/pin contact, excessive heat, electrical 
arcing, and subsequently, connector burn through and smoke in the 
passenger cabin. This AD requires a visual inspection to detect damage, 
burn marks, or black or brown discoloration at certain electrical plugs 
and receptacles of the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin. The AD 
also requires modification of the electrical 

[[Page 48640]]
connectors of the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin, which would 
constitute terminating action for the inspection requirement. The 
actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the service 
bulletin described previously. This AD varies from the service bulletin 
in that it only applies to Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-
88 airplanes having serial numbers 49614, 49626 through 49632 
inclusive, 49668, and 49707.
    None of the Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-88 
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 75 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,870 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD would be 
$6,370 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 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 95-NM-144-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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

95-19-09 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9371. Docket 95-NM-144-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-88 
airplanes having serial numbers 49614, 49626 through 49632 
inclusive, 49668, and 49707; 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) of this AD 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 poor socket/pin contact, excessive heat, electrical 
arcing, and subsequently, connector burn through and smoke in the 
passenger cabin, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a visual inspection to detect damage, burn marks, or black 
or brown discoloration caused by electrical arcing at electrical 
plugs, having part number (P/N) MS3126F-15P, and receptacles, having 
P/N MS3124E-15S, of the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin, in 
accordance with McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 33-99, 
Revision 1, dated February 23, 1995.
    (1) If no discrepancies are found, no further action is required 
by this paragraph.
    (2) If any discrepancy is found, prior to further flight, 
replace the damaged connectors, pins, sockets, or wire with new 
parts, in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (b) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the electrical connectors of the sidewall lighting in the passenger 
cabin, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 
33-99, Revision 1, dated February 23, 1995. Accomplishment of this 
modification constitutes terminating action for the requirements of 
this AD.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that 

[[Page 48641]]
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, replacement, and modification shall be done 
in accordance with McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 33-99, 
Revision 1, dated February 23, 1995. 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, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, 
California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business 
Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). 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 90712; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on October 5, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 7, 1995.
D. L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-22714 Filed 9-19-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U