[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 247 (Monday, December 27, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72270-72272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33444]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-05-AD; Amendment 39-11428; AD 99-24-04 C1]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 Series
Airplanes and Model MD-88 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; correction.
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SUMMARY: This document corrects information in an existing
airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain McDonnell Douglas
Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-88
[[Page 72271]]
airplanes. That AD currently requires a one-time visual inspection to
determine whether self-aligning nuts are installed at certain locations
of the aft pressure bulkhead tee; and corrective actions, if necessary.
This document corrects a typographical error in a service bulletin
reference. This correction is necessary to ensure that the appropriate
service information is used to accomplish the AD.
DATES: Effective December 27, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations was approved previously by the Director of the Federal
Register as of December 27, 1999. (64 FR 63187, November 19, 1999).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl Fountain, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5222; fax (562)
627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-24-04,
amendment 39-11428, applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-
80 series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes, was published in the
Federal Register on November 19, 1999 (64 FR 63187). That AD requires a
one-time visual inspection to determine whether self-aligning nuts are
installed at certain locations of the aft pressure bulkhead tee; and
corrective actions, if necessary. That AD was prompted by reports of
failures of certain Hi-Lok pin fasteners of the aft pressure bulkhead
tee due to installation of non-self-aligning nuts. The actions required
by that AD are intended to prevent failure of certain Hi-Lok pin
fasteners and subsequent gouging of the aft pressure bulkhead tee,
which could result in fatigue cracking and reduced structural integrity
of the airplane.
Need for the Correction
Information obtained recently by the FAA indicates that paragraph
(a) of AD 99-24-04 contains a typographical error. That paragraph
references ``McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD80-53-201, Revision
02, dated July 20, 1998, as revised by Information Notice MD90-53-201
RO2, dated October 21, 1998,'' as the appropriate source of service
information for accomplishment of the general visual inspection
required by paragraph (a) of the AD.
The FAA has determined that a correction to paragraph (a) of AD 99-
24-04 is necessary. The correction will reference the appropriate
Information Notice as ``* * * Information Notice MD80-53-201 * * *''.
Correction of Publication
This document corrects the error and correctly adds the AD as an
amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
39.13).
The AD is reprinted in its entirety for the convenience of affected
operators. The effective date of the AD remains December 27, 1999.
Since this action only a typographical error, it has no adverse
economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any person.
Therefore, the FAA has determined that notice and public procedures are
unnecessary.
List of Subject in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Correction
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 [Corrected]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by correctly adding the following
airworthiness directive (AD):
99-24-04 C1 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11428. Docket 99-NM-05-
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 MD80-53-
201, Revision 02, dated July 20, 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 failure of certain Hi-Lok pin fasteners and
subsequent gouging of the aft pressure bulkhead tee, which could
result in fatigue cracking and reduced structural integrity of the
airplane, accomplish the following:
Inspection
(a) Within 48 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a one-time general visual inspection to determine whether
self-aligning nuts are installed at certain locations of the aft
pressure bulkhead tee, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service
Bulletin MD80-53-201, Revision 02, dated July 20, 1998, as revised
by Information Notice MD80-53-201 R02, dated October 21, 1998.
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 checked.''
(1) If all nuts installed are self-aligning, no further action
is required by this AD.
(2) If any nut is determined to be non-self-aligning, prior to
further flight, remove the existing nut and perform a one-time
visual inspection to detect gouges in the aft pressure bulkhead tee
on station Y=1338.000 and longeron end fitting, as applicable, in
accordance with the service bulletin.
(i) If no gouge is detected, prior to further flight, install
new self-aligning nuts in accordance with the service bulletin.
(ii) If any gouge is detected that is within the repair limits
specified in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair
the gouge and install new self-aligning nuts in accordance with the
service bulletin.
(iii) If any gouge is detected that is outside the repair limits
specified in the service bulletin, prior to further flight, repair
in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate.
Note 3: Inspections, and repair of the aft pressure bulkhead tee
longeron end fittings prior to the effective date of this AD, in
accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD80-53-201,
dated July 6, 1988, or Revision 1, dated March 22, 1991, are
considered acceptable for compliance with the actions required by
paragraph (a) of this AD.
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 ACO. 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
[[Page 72272]]
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
Secs. 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) Except as provided by paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this AD, the
actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service
Bulletin MD80-53-201, Revision 02, dated July 20, 1998. This
incorporation by reference was approved previously by the Director
of the Federal Register as of December 27, 1999 (64 FR 63187,
November 19, 1999). Copies may be obtained from The Boeing Company,
Douglas Products 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 90712; or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(e) The effective date of this amendment remains December 27,
1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 20, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-33444 Filed 12-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
