Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 Series Airplanes and Model MD-88 Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-161-AD; Amendment 39-8848; AD 94-06-01]

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 inspection of the ceiling

pressure relief panels in the cargo compartments to determine if

slotted attach points are present and, if not, modification of the

panels. This amendment is prompted by a report that certain panels were

manufactured without the appropriate slotted attach points. The actions

specified by this AD are intended to ensure that the action of the

cargo compartment pressure relief panels will enable the airplane to

withstand a rapid decompression caused by a hole below the compartment

floor.

DATES: Effective April 11, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of April 11, 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 Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,

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: David Hempe, Aerospace Engineer,

Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long

Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-5224; fax (310) 988-

5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations 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

November 23, 1993 (58 FR 61853). That action proposed to require

inspection of the ceiling pressure relief panels to determine if

slotted attach points are present, and modification of the panel(s), if

necessary.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to

the three comments received.

All commenters support the proposed rule. -

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 as proposed.

There are approximately 1,016 Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and

Model MD-88 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet.

The FAA estimates that 556 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected

by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to

accomplish the required inspection, and that the average labor rate is

$55 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the

inspection requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$30,580, or $55 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. -

If modification of a panel is necessary, accomplishing the

modification will entail approximately 5.4 work hours, at an average

labor rate of $55 per work hour. No additional parts will be required.

Based on these figures, the total cost of impact of any necessary

modification is estimated to be $297 per panel.

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 14 CFR part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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:

94-06-1 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-8848. Docket 93-NM-161-AD.

-Applicability: Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83

(MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplanes, and Model MD-88

airplanes; as listed in McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 25-

335, dated April 28, 1993; certificated in any category. -

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously. -

To ensure that the action of the cargo compartment ceiling

relief panels will enable the airplane to withstand a rapid

decompression caused by a hole below the compartment floor,

accomplish the following: -

(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,

inspect the ceiling relief panels in the forward, mid, and aft cargo

compartments to determine if slotted attach points are present, in

accordance with McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 25-335,

dated April 28, 1993. -

(1) If slotted attach points are present, no further action is

required by this AD.

(2) If slotted attach points are not present on any panel, prior

to further flight, modify that panel in accordance with the service

bulletin. -

(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). 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

Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the

airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be

accomplished. -

(d) The inspection and modification shall be done in accordance

with McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 25-335, dated April

28, 1993. 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 Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 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 April 11, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 3, 1994.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-5406 Filed 3-10-94; 8:45 am]

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