[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
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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]
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