[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 218 (Friday, November 12, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61477-61478]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-28744]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-186-AD; Amendment 39-11404; AD 99-23-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -
30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) 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-9-10, -20, -30, -40, 
and -50 series airplanes, and C-9 (military) airplanes, that requires a 
one-time general visual inspection to detect certain discrepancies in 
the wiring of the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) in the forward 
cargo compartment; and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment 
is prompted by a report indicating that several discrepancies were 
found in the wiring of the FQIS due to maintenance or alteration 
practices. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
excessive electrical energy from entering the fuel tanks through the 
FQIS wiring, which could result in a potential ignition source in the 
fuel tanks.

DATES: Effective December 17, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 17, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach 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: Robert Baitoo, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5245; 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 certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series airplanes, and C-9 (military) 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 30, 1999 (64 
FR 47144). That action proposed to require a one-time general visual 
inspection to detect certain discrepancies in the wiring of the fuel 
quantity indicating system (FQIS) in the forward cargo compartment; and 
corrective actions, if necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 815 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 577 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the inspection, at an average labor 
rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $34,620, or $60 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:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:


[[Page 61478]]


    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:

99-23-08  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11404. Docket 99-NM-186-
AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series 
airplanes, and C-9 (military) airplanes; as listed in McDonnell 
Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-28-077, dated June 8, 1999; 
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 excessive electrical energy from entering the fuel 
tanks through the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) wiring, 
which could result in a potential ignition source in the fuel tanks, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection and Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time general visual inspection to detect discrepancies 
in the wiring of the FQIS in the area of the forward cargo 
compartment in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 
DC9-28-077, dated June 8, 1999. If any discrepancy is detected, 
prior to further flight, perform the corrective actions specified in 
the service bulletin, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this 
AD.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being check.''

Reporting Requirement

    (b) Where the service bulletin specifies to submit a report of 
inspection findings to Boeing: Within 10 days after accomplishing 
the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, submit a report 
of the inspection results (both positive and negative findings) to 
the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
California 90712-4137; ATTN: Robert Baitoo; fax (562) 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 Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.

    Note 3: Accomplishment of the inspection, corrective action, and 
reporting in accordance with McDonnell Douglas All Operator Letter 
(AOL) 9-2584, dated February 19, 1999; and Interim DC-9 Forward 
Cargo Compartment FQIS Inspection and Information Procedure, 
Revision 1, dated February 11, 1999; is acceptable for compliance 
with the actions required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas 
Service
    Bulletin DC9-28-077, dated June 8, 1999. 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 Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach 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 December 17, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 28, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-28744 Filed 11-10-99; 8:45 am]
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