[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 171 (Thursday, September 3, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46875-46876]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23603]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-10-AD; Amendment 39-10733; AD 98-18-17]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 Series
Airplanes and Model MD-90-30 and MD-88 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and
Model MD-90-30 and MD-88 airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection
of the harness assembly of the tailcone emergency evacuation slide to
determine the diameter of the swaged balls; reidentification of the
harness assembly; and reinstallation or replacement of the assembly
with a new assembly, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by a
failed deployment of the tailcone emergency evacuation slide during a
system test conducted by the manufacturer. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the tailcone emergency
evacuation slide to deploy automatically due to incorrect diameter of
the swaged balls on the wire rope of the harness assembly.
DATES: Effective October 8, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of October 8, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from The Boeing Company, Douglas Products Division, 3855
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical
Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). 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: Alan Sinclair, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5338;
fax (562) 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 all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-
80 series airplanes and Model MD-90-30 and MD-88 airplanes was
published in the Federal Register on May 5, 1998 (63 FR 24762). That
action proposed to require a one-time inspection of the harness
assembly of the tailcone emergency evacuation slide to determine the
diameter of the swaged balls; reidentification of the harness assembly;
and reinstallation or replacement of the assembly with a new assembly,
if necessary.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
The commenter supports the proposed rule.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 943 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 570 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. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $68,400, or
$120 per airplane.
The 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.
Regulatory Impact
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:
[[Page 46876]]
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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
98-18-17 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-10733. Docket 98-NM-10-AD.
Applicability: All Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-
83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplanes; and Model MD-88
and MD-90-30 airplanes; 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 request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) 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 failure of the tailcone emergency evacuation slide to
deploy automatically due to incorrect diameter of the swaged balls
on the wire rope of the harness assembly, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time inspection of the harness assembly of the tailcone
emergency evacuation slide to determine the diameter of the swaged
balls; in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin
MD80-25A364 [for Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83
(MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplanes, and Model MD-88
airplanes]; or MD90-25A030 (for Model MD-90-30 airplanes); both
dated October 30, 1997.
(1) If the swaged balls are within the limits specified in the
applicable alert service bulletin, prior to further flight,
reidentify and reinstall the harness assembly in accordance with the
applicable alert service bulletin.
(2) If the swaged balls are outside the limits specified in the
applicable alert service bulletin, prior to further flight, replace
the harness assembly having part number (P/N) 8370024-3 with a new
harness assembly having P/N 8370024-9 or 8370024-3H, as applicable,
in accordance with the applicable alert service bulletin.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
a harness assembly, (P/N) 8370024-3, on any airplane.
(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
Secs. 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 actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-25A364, dated October 30, 1997,
or McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD90-25A030, dated
October 30, 1997, as applicable. 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 The
Boeing Company, Douglas Products Division, 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; or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on October 8, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 26, 1998.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-23603 Filed 9-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U