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 DC-9-80 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 24, 1997 (62 FR 19946). That action proposed to require an inspection to detect discrepancies of electrical plugs and receptacles of the sidewall lighting system in the passenger cabin, and to verify that the ends of all pins and sockets are even and that they are seated and locked into place. That action also proposed to require replacement of any discrepant part with a new part, and modification of the electrical wiring and connectors of the sidewall lighting system in the passenger cabin. \n\n\tInterested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comments received. \n\n\tOne commenter supports the proposal. \n\n\tOne commenter states that it does not own any of the affected airplanes and, therefore, is unaffected by the proposed rule. \n\nRequests to Withdraw the Proposal \n\n\tThe Air Transport Association (ATA) of America states that a member airline will have accomplished the modification within the compliance times specified in AD 95-08-04, amendment 39-9193 (60 FR 19348, dated April 18, 1995), and that the proposal is duplicative in nature. (AD 95-08-04 is applicable to Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 33-99, dated May 24, 1994.) The commenter states that it already initiated plans to accomplish the modification requirements on all of the affected airplanes in its fleet. The FAA infers from this statement that the commenters do not consider that the actions required by the proposed rule are necessary and that the commenters request the proposed AD be withdrawn. \n\n\tThe applicability in AD 95-08-04 did not include those airplanes modified in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA4744NM. Therefore, although the commenter has chosen to comply with the requirement for the modification specified by this AD (which is identical to the modification required by AD 95-08-04), it is still necessary to issue this AD to address the identified unsafe condition for airplanes modified in accordance with STC SA4744NM. \n\nRequest to Evaluate Other Electrical Connectors \n\n\tThe Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) supports the proposal and accomplishment of the modification of the connectors of the side wall lighting to minimize the possibility of connector failure that could cause arcing. However, ALPA is concerned that other electrical connectors may be susceptible to the same failure mode as the discrepant connectors identified in the proposed AD. For this reason, ALPA requests the FAA to evaluate the other connectors. \n\n\tThe FAA acknowledges the concerns of the commenter. However, the FAA does notconsider it necessary to evaluate other electrical connectors on these airplanes because it has received no information of a recurring problem on other electrical connectors. In addition, the FAA does not consider that this AD is the appropriate context in which to address this concern because the suggested evaluations would alter the actions currently required by this AD, and additional rulemaking would be required. In light of the identified unsafe condition, the FAA finds that to delay this action would be inappropriate. No change has been made to the final rule. \n\nLimiting the Applicability \n\n\tSince the issuance of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), the FAA finds that it is necessary to revise the final rule to reflect a change in the applicability. After issuance of the NPRM, the FAA approved Revision C, dated October 27, 1997, of Heath Tecna Drawing List HPD-DL-34. (Revision A, dated March 7, 1989, and Revision B, dated February 16, 1990, are considered to be FAA-approved drawing lists for installation of the Heath Techna Aerospace Extended Spacial Concept Interior III, approved under STC SA4744NM.) Revision C incorporates corrective design changes into the ESCI III electrical installation such that the potential unsafe condition is eliminated. Therefore, if the actions specified by Revision C have been accomplished, it is unnecessary to comply with the requirements of this AD. In light of this, the applicability of this final rule has been revised to include only those airplanes on which the installation was accomplished in accordance with Revision A or B of the previously referenced drawing list, and to exclude those airplanes on which the installation was accomplished in accordance with Revision C of the drawing list. \n\nConclusion \n\n\tAfter 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 with the changes described previously. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD. \n\nCost Impact \n\n\tThere are approximately 28 McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 28 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 75 work hours (which includes access and functional check) per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,700 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $173,600, or $6,200 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\n\t2. Authority: 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: