AD 99-23-08

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series airplanes, and C-9 (military) airplanes, that requires a one-time general visual inspection to detect certain discrepancies in the wiring of the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) in the forward cargo compartment; and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by a report indicating that several discrepancies were found in the wiring of the FQIS due to maintenance or alteration practices. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent excessive electrical energy from entering the fuel tanks through the FQIS wiring, which could result in a potential ignition source in the fuel tanks.

Final rule.

99-23-08 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-11404. Docket 99-NM-186-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series airplanes, and C-9 (military) airplanes; as listed in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-28-077, dated June 8, 1999; certificated in any category. \n\n\tNOTE 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 (c) 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. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo prevent excessive electrical energy from entering the fuel tanks through the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) wiring, which could result in a potential ignition source in the fuel tanks, accomplish the following: \n\nInspection and Corrective Actions \n\t(a)\tWithin 18 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time general visual inspection to detect discrepancies in the wiring of the FQIS in the area of the forward cargo compartment in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-28-077, dated June 8, 1999. If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, perform the corrective actions specified in the service bulletin, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this AD. \n\n\tNOTE 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 check." \n\nReporting Requirement \n\t(b)\tWhere the service bulletin specifies to submit a report of inspection findings to Boeing: Within 10 days after accomplishing the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, submit a report of the inspection results (both positive and negative findings) to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; ATTN: Robert Baitoo; fax (562) 627-5210. Information collection requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. \n\n\tNOTE 3: Accomplishment of the inspection, corrective action, and reporting in accordance with McDonnell Douglas All Operator Letter (AOL) 9-2584, dated February 19, 1999; and Interim DC-9 Forward Cargo Compartment FQIS Inspection and Information Procedure, Revision 1, dated February 11, 1999; is acceptable for compliance with the actions required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance \n\t(c)\tAn 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. \n\n\tNOTE 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.\n\nSpecial Flight Permits \n\t(d)\tSpecial 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.\n\nIncorporation by Reference \n\t(e)\tThe actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-28-077, dated June 8, 1999. 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 Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. \n\n\t(f)\tThis amendment becomes effective on December 17, 1999.

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-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series airplanes, and C-9 (military) airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 30, 1999 (64 FR 47144). That action proposed to require a one-time general visual inspection to detect certain discrepancies in the wiring of the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) in the forward cargo compartment; and corrective actions, if necessary. \n\nComments \n\n\tInterested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. \n\nConclusion \n\n\tThe FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed. \n\nCost Impact \n\n\tThere are approximately 815 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 577 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $34,620, or $60 per airplane. \n\n\tThe 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. \n\nRegulatory Impact \n\n\tThe 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. \n\n\tFor 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." \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. \n\nAdoption of the Amendment \n\n\tAccordingly, 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: \n\nPART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n\t1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\nAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n§ 39.13 (Amended) \n\n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: