[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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