04-24934. Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-14 and DC-9-15 Airplanes; and Model DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-14 and DC-9-15 airplanes; and Model DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive high frequency eddy current inspections to detect cracks in the vertical radius of the upper cap of the center wing rear spar, and repair if necessary. This AD is prompted by reports of cracks in the upper cap of the center wing rear spar that resulted from stress corrosion. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the left or right upper cap of the center rear spar, which would cause a possible fuel leak and structural failure of the upper cap, and result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective December 20, 2004.

The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of December 20, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). You can examine this information at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call [phone], or go to: http://www.archives.gov/​federal_​register/​code_​of_​federal_​regulations/​ibr_​locations.html.

You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov,, or at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Technical information: Wahib Mina, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [e-mail].

Examining the Docket

The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any final disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov,, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone [phone]) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with an AD for certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-14 and DC-9-15 airplanes; and Model DC-9-20, DC-9-30, DC-9-40, and DC-9-50 series airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on September 3, 2004 (69 FR 53853), proposed to require repetitive high frequency eddy current inspections to detect cracks in the vertical radius of the upper cap of the center wing rear spar, and repair if necessary.

Comments

We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Explanation of Change Made to the Final Rule

We have updated the manufacturer name from McDonnell Douglas to Boeing for Service Bulletin DC9-57-223, dated July 21, 2003, which is referenced in this AD as the appropriate source of service information for the required actions. This change is necessary to adhere to the Office of the Federal Register's guidelines for materials incorporated by reference.

Conclusion

We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the change described previously. We have determined that this change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

This AD affects about 396 airplanes of U.S. registry and 963 airplanes worldwide. The required inspection will take about 3 work hours per airplane, per inspection cycle, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the AD for U.S operators is $77,220, or $195 per airplane, per inspection cycle.

Regulatory Findings

We have determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:

(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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Incorporation by reference
• Safety

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2004-23-11 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13866. Docket No. FAA-2004-18994; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-210-AD.

Effective Date

(A) This AD becomes effective December 20, 2004.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-14, DC-9-15, DC-9-21, DC-9-31, DC-9-32, DC-9-32 (VC-9C), DC-9-32F, DC-9-33F, DC-9-34, DC-9-34F, DC-9-32F (C-9A, C-9B), DC-9-41, and DC-9-51 airplanes, certificated in any category; as listed in Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-57-223, dated July 21, 2003.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the upper cap of the center wing rear spar that resulted from stress corrosion. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the left or right upper cap of the center rear spar, which could cause a possible fuel leak and structural failure of the upper cap, and result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Inspection

(f) At the later of the times specified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD: Do a high frequency eddy current inspection to detect cracks in the vertical radius of the upper cap of the center wing rear spar, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-57-223, dated July 21, 2003.

(1) Before the accumulation of 25,000 total flight cycles.

(2) Within 15,000 flight cycles or 5 years after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

Corrective Action

(g)(1) If no crack is found, then repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 15,000 flight cycles or 5 years, whichever occurs first.

(2) If any crack is found, before further flight, repair per a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically refer to this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(h) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-57-223, dated July 21, 2003, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For copies of the service information, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. CI-L5A (D800-0024). For information on the availability of this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), call [phone], or go to http://www.archives.gov/​federal_​register/​code_​of_​ federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. You may view the AD docket at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 1, 2004.

Kalene C. Yanamura,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.