97-3534. Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9, DC-9-80 and C-9 (Military) Series Airplanes, and Model MD-88 Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 6708-6710]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-3534]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Federal Aviation Administration
    
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 96-NM-99-AD; Amendment 39-9928; AD 97-02-08 R1]
    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; correction.
    
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    SUMMARY: This document corrects information in an existing 
    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. The AD currently requires either the 
    installation of external protective doublers between the outboard 
    flight spoiler actuators and the aft spar webs of the wings, or 
    replacement of the pistons of the outboard flight spoiler actuators 
    with improved pistons. This action corrects a part number specified for 
    flight spoiler actuator assembly that is acceptable for installation on 
    these airplanes. This action is necessary to ensure that operators who 
    previously have installed assemblies with this part number will be 
    given proper credit for that installation, and will not be required to 
    perform additional, unnecessary work to comply with the requirements of 
    the AD.
    
    DATES: Effective March 4, 1997.
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the
    
    [[Page 6709]]
    
    regulations was previously approved by the Director of the Federal 
    Register as of March 4, 1997 (62 FR 3985, January 28, 1997).
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brent Bandley, Aerospace Engineer, 
    Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
    Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone 
    (310) 627-5237; fax (310) 627-5210.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 14, 1997, the FAA issued AD 97-
    02-08, amendment 39-9893 (62 FR 3985, January 28, 1997), which is 
    applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9, DC-9-80 and C-9 
    (military) series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes. That AD 
    requires that operators of these airplanes either:
        1. Install external protective doublers between the outboard flight 
    spoiler actuators and the aft spar webs of the wings; or
        2. Replace the pistons of the outboard flight spoiler actuators 
    with improved pistons.
        That action was prompted by reports of failure of the piston of the 
    outboard flight spoiler actuator due to fatigue at the clevis end of 
    the upper lug mounting hole of the piston. The actions specified by 
    this AD are intended to prevent such failure of the piston and the 
    consequent puncturing of the aft spar web, which could result in fuel 
    leakage and reduced structural integrity of the wings.
    
    Actions Since Issuance of the AD
    
        Recently, the FAA has become aware of the fact that, due to a 
    typographical error when the AD was published, an incorrect part number 
    appeared in the text of the rule. Specifically, Note 3 of paragraph (a) 
    stated that installation of McDonnell Douglas flight spoiler actuator 
    assemblies, having part number 5915900-5525, on the right and left 
    wings prior to the effective date of the AD was considered acceptable 
    for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a). However, the 
    part number cited was erroneous. The correct part number is 5913900-
    5525.
    
    Corrections Necessary to the Current AD
    
        The FAA has determined that it is appropriate to take action to 
    revise AD 97-02-08 to correct the part number of the flight spoiler 
    actuator assemblies, referred to in Note 3 of the AD, to ``5913900-
    5525.'' This correction will ensure that operators who previously have 
    installed assemblies with this part number will be given proper credit 
    for that installation, and will not be required to perform additional, 
    unnecessary work to comply with the requirements of the AD.
        Accordingly, action is taken herein to correct the error and to 
    correctly add the AD as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13). The effective date of the rule 
    remains March 4, 1997.
        The final rule is being reprinted in its entirety for the 
    convenience of affected operators.
    
    Impact of the Correction
    
        Since this action only corrects a part number of an installation 
    that is optional on the affected airplanes, it has no adverse economic 
    impact and imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, 
    notice and public procedures hereon are unnecessary.
    
    List of Subjects 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  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-9893 (62 FR 
    3985, January 28, 1997), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
    (AD), amendment 39-9928, to read as follows:
    
    97-02-08 R1  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9928. Docket 96-NM-99-
    AD. Revises AD 97-02-08, amendment 39-9893.
    
        Applicability: Model DC-9, Model DC-9-80 and C-9 (military) 
    series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes; as listed in McDonnell 
    Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-27-300, Revision 02, dated June 29, 
    1995; certificated in any category.
    
        Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
    preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
    otherwise 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 fuel leakage and reduced structural integrity of the 
    wings due to puncturing of the wings by a failed piston of the 
    outboard flight spoiler actuator, accomplish the following:
        (a) Prior to the accumulation of 5,000 landings after the 
    effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions specified in 
    either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, in accordance with 
    McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-27-300, Revision 02, dated 
    June 29, 1995.
    
        Note 2. Accomplishment of the actions specified in this 
    paragraph prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with 
    the original issue or Revision 1 of McDonnell Douglas Service 
    Bulletin 27-300 is considered acceptable for compliance with this 
    paragraph.
        Note 3: Installation of McDonnell Douglas flight spoiler 
    actuator assembly, part number (P/N) 5913900-5525, on the right and 
    left wings prior to the effective date of this AD is considered 
    acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this paragraph.
    
        (1) Install external protective doublers between the outboard 
    flight spoiler actuators and the aft spar webs of the left and right 
    wings; or
        (2) Replace the pistons of the outboard flight spoiler actuators 
    on the left and right wings with improved pistons.
        (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 4: 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) Except as specified in Note 2 of this AD, the actions shall 
    be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-
    27-300, Revision 02, dated June 29, 1995. 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, as of March 4, 
    1997 (62 FR 3985, January 28, 1997). Copies may be obtained from 
    McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, 
    California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business 
    Administration, Department C1-L51 (2-60). Copies may be inspected at 
    the FAA,
    
    [[Page 6710]]
    
    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 is effective on March 4, 1997.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 6, 1997.
    Darrell M. Pederson,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 97-3534 Filed 2-12-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
3/4/1997
Published:
02/13/1997
Department:
Federal Aviation Administration
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule; correction.
Document Number:
97-3534
Dates:
Effective March 4, 1997.
Pages:
6708-6710 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 96-NM-99-AD, Amendment 39-9928, AD 97-02-08 R1
RINs:
2120-AA64: Airworthiness Directives
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives
PDF File:
97-3534.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13