[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 208 (Friday, October 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26366]
Federal Register / Vol. 59, No. 208 / Friday, October 28, 1994 /
[Federal Register: October 28, 1994]
VOL. 59, NO. 208
Friday, October 28, 1994
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-78-AD; Amendment 39-9052; AD 94-22-03]
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 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-9-80 series airplanes
and Model MD-88 airplanes, that requires modification of the power
transfer unit (PTU). This amendment is prompted by reports of fatigue
cracks found in the drain port housings of the PTU's on several
airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
failure of the PTU housing due to fatigue cracking, which could result
in the loss of both hydraulic systems (until the PTU is shut off).
DATES: Effective October 28, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of November 28, 1994.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach,
California 90801-1771, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical
Administrative Support, Dept. L51, M.C. 2-98. 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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach,
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter Eierman, Systems and Equipment
Branch, ANM-131L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles ACO,
3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone
(310) 988-5336; fax (310) 988-5210.
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-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes was published in the
Federal Register on July 27, 1994 (59 FR 38146). That action proposed
to require modification of the power transfer unit (PTU).
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
One commenter supports the proposal.
Two commenters requested that the proposed compliance time of
``14,300 flight cycles on the PTU or 9 months after the effective date
of the AD, whichever occurs later,'' be extended. These commenters are
concerned that they will be unable to modify their affected fleets
within the proposed compliance time due to a possible problem in the
availability of an ample number of required parts from the
manufacturer. The FAA does not concur with the commenter's request to
extend the compliance time. In developing an appropriate compliance
time for this action, the FAA considered not only the degree of urgency
associated with addressing the subject unsafe condition, but the
availability of required parts and the practical aspect of installing
the required modification within a maximum interval of time allowable
for all affected airplanes to continue to operate without compromising
safety. The FAA has been advised that an ample number of required parts
will be available for modification of the U.S. fleet within the
proposed compliance period. However, under the provisions of paragraph
(b) of the final rule, the FAA will consider requests for adjustments
to the compliance time if data are submitted to substantiate that such
an adjustment would provide an acceptable level of safety.
The applicability of the final rule has been revised to delete the
reference to Model ``DC-9-84 (MD-84).'' This inclusion of this
reference was in error; no such model of airplane exists.
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
There are approximately 1,074 Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and
Model MD-88 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet.
The FAA estimates that 578 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. Required parts will cost approximately $2,912 per
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,752,496, or $3,032 per airplane.
The total 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.
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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
94-22-03 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9052. Docket 94-NM-78-AD.
Applicability: 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; as listed in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 29-53,
Revision 1, dated April 21, 1994; excluding airplanes equipped with
Vickers PV3-160 Engine Driven Pumps; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent loss of both hydraulic systems due to the failure of
the housings of the power transfer unit (PTU), accomplish the
following:
(a) Prior to or upon accumulation of 14,300 flight cycles on the
PTU, or within 9 months after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later, modify the PTU assembly, part number
4100310, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 29-
53, Revision 1, dated April 21, 1994.
(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: 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) The modification shall be done in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Service Bulletin 29-53, Revision 1, dated April 21, 1994.
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 McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O.
Box 1771, Long Beach, California 90801-1771, Attention: Business
Unit Manager, Technical Administrative Support, Dept. L51, M.C. 2-
98. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, 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 28, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 19, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-26366 Filed 10-27-94; 8:45 am]
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