[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 206 (Tuesday, October 26, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57551-57553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27562]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-NM-382-AD; Amendment 39-11386; AD 99-22-08]
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.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9, DC-9-80 and C-9
(military) series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, that requires
revising the wiring of the air conditioning pneumatic supply control,
if applicable, and revising the wiring of the pneumatic augmentation
valve. This amendment is prompted by a report indicating that the
pneumatic augmentation valve may go fully open when an engine fails
during initial climb prior to deactivation of the second segment climb
switch. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
opening of the pneumatic augmentation valve, which could result in
significant loss of thrust from the remaining engine and consequent
inadequate initial climb performance of the airplane.
DATES: Effective November 30, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of November 30, 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
[[Page 57552]]
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, DC-9-80 and C-9 (military) series airplanes, and Model MD-88
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 6, 1999 (64
FR 42868). That action proposed to require revising the wiring of the
air conditioning pneumatic supply control, if applicable, and revising
the wiring of the pneumatic augmentation valve.
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 1,500 airplanes of the affected design in
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 700 airplanes of U.S.
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately
between 1 to 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the actions, and
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts cost
will be nominal. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be between $42,000 and $252,000, or
between $60 and $360 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:
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:
99-22-08 McDonnel Douglas: Amendment 39-11386. Docket 98-NM-382-AD.
Applicability: Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series
airplanes; Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83),
and DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplanes; Model MD-88 airplanes; and C-9
(military) series airplanes; as listed in the McDonnell Douglas
Service Bulletin DC9-36-012, Revision 04, dated October 16, 1998;
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 (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 opening of the pneumatic augmentation valve during
initial climb following an engine failure, which could result in
significant loss of thrust on the remaining engine and consequent
inadequate initial climb performance of the airplane, accomplish the
following:
Modification
(a) Within 3 years after the effective date of this AD, revise
the wiring of the air conditioning pneumatic supply control, if
applicable, and revise the wiring of the pneumatic augmentation
valve, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-36-
012, Revision 03, dated February 3, 1998, or Revision 04, dated
October 16, 1998.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(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 2: 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
(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.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-36-012, Revision 03, dated February 3,
1998; or McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-36-012, Revision 04,
dated October 16, 1998; 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 Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division,
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention:
Technical
[[Page 57553]]
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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 30, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 15, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27562 Filed 10-25-99; 8:45 am]
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