[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6708-6710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3534]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-99-AD; Amendment 39-9928; AD 97-02-08 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64
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; correction.
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SUMMARY: This document corrects information in an existing
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. The AD currently requires either the
installation of external protective doublers between the outboard
flight spoiler actuators and the aft spar webs of the wings, or
replacement of the pistons of the outboard flight spoiler actuators
with improved pistons. This action corrects a part number specified for
flight spoiler actuator assembly that is acceptable for installation on
these airplanes. This action is necessary to ensure that operators who
previously have installed assemblies with this part number will be
given proper credit for that installation, and will not be required to
perform additional, unnecessary work to comply with the requirements of
the AD.
DATES: Effective March 4, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the
[[Page 6709]]
regulations was previously approved by the Director of the Federal
Register as of March 4, 1997 (62 FR 3985, January 28, 1997).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brent Bandley, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone
(310) 627-5237; fax (310) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 14, 1997, the FAA issued AD 97-
02-08, amendment 39-9893 (62 FR 3985, January 28, 1997), which is
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9, DC-9-80 and C-9
(military) series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes. That AD
requires that operators of these airplanes either:
1. Install external protective doublers between the outboard flight
spoiler actuators and the aft spar webs of the wings; or
2. Replace the pistons of the outboard flight spoiler actuators
with improved pistons.
That action was prompted by reports of failure of the piston of the
outboard flight spoiler actuator due to fatigue at the clevis end of
the upper lug mounting hole of the piston. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent such failure of the piston and the
consequent puncturing of the aft spar web, which could result in fuel
leakage and reduced structural integrity of the wings.
Actions Since Issuance of the AD
Recently, the FAA has become aware of the fact that, due to a
typographical error when the AD was published, an incorrect part number
appeared in the text of the rule. Specifically, Note 3 of paragraph (a)
stated that installation of McDonnell Douglas flight spoiler actuator
assemblies, having part number 5915900-5525, on the right and left
wings prior to the effective date of the AD was considered acceptable
for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a). However, the
part number cited was erroneous. The correct part number is 5913900-
5525.
Corrections Necessary to the Current AD
The FAA has determined that it is appropriate to take action to
revise AD 97-02-08 to correct the part number of the flight spoiler
actuator assemblies, referred to in Note 3 of the AD, to ``5913900-
5525.'' This correction will ensure that operators who previously have
installed assemblies with this part number will be given proper credit
for that installation, and will not be required to perform additional,
unnecessary work to comply with the requirements of the AD.
Accordingly, action is taken herein to correct the error and to
correctly add the AD as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13). The effective date of the rule
remains March 4, 1997.
The final rule is being reprinted in its entirety for the
convenience of affected operators.
Impact of the Correction
Since this action only corrects a part number of an installation
that is optional on the affected airplanes, it has no adverse economic
impact and imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore,
notice and public procedures hereon are unnecessary.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Correction
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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-9893 (62 FR
3985, January 28, 1997), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39-9928, to read as follows:
97-02-08 R1 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9928. Docket 96-NM-99-
AD. Revises AD 97-02-08, amendment 39-9893.
Applicability: Model DC-9, Model DC-9-80 and C-9 (military)
series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes; as listed in McDonnell
Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-27-300, Revision 02, dated June 29,
1995; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent fuel leakage and reduced structural integrity of the
wings due to puncturing of the wings by a failed piston of the
outboard flight spoiler actuator, accomplish the following:
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 5,000 landings after the
effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions specified in
either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, in accordance with
McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-27-300, Revision 02, dated
June 29, 1995.
Note 2. Accomplishment of the actions specified in this
paragraph prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with
the original issue or Revision 1 of McDonnell Douglas Service
Bulletin 27-300 is considered acceptable for compliance with this
paragraph.
Note 3: Installation of McDonnell Douglas flight spoiler
actuator assembly, part number (P/N) 5913900-5525, on the right and
left wings prior to the effective date of this AD is considered
acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this paragraph.
(1) Install external protective doublers between the outboard
flight spoiler actuators and the aft spar webs of the left and right
wings; or
(2) Replace the pistons of the outboard flight spoiler actuators
on the left and right wings with improved pistons.
(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 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 4: 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
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.
(d) Except as specified in Note 2 of this AD, the actions shall
be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-
27-300, Revision 02, dated June 29, 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, as of March 4,
1997 (62 FR 3985, January 28, 1997). Copies may be obtained from
McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach,
California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business
Administration, Department C1-L51 (2-60). Copies may be inspected at
the FAA,
[[Page 6710]]
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 is effective on March 4, 1997.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 6, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-3534 Filed 2-12-97; 8:45 am]
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