AD 95-06-06

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9, DC-9-80, and C-9 (military) series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes, that requires a visual inspection to verify proper installation of the wire termination lugs on the ignition selector switch, and removal and correct installation of any improperly installed wire termination lugs. This amendment also requires application of sealant to the wire termination lugs and the attachment screws. This amendment is prompted by a report that, during the manufacturer's production flight testing, an abnormal engine start valve open annunciation for engine No. 2 occurred and resulted in an uncontained failure of the engine starter. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent damage to the engine cowling, damage to adjacent engine components, and possible fire in the cowling, due to an uncontained failure of the engine starter.

Final rule.

95-06-06 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-9176. Docket 94-NM-172-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model DC-9, DC-9-80, and C-9 (Military) series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, equipped with a 20/4 Joule ignition system; as listed in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 24-121, dated February 24, 1992; 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 use the authority provided in paragraph (c) to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo prevent an uncontained failure of the engine starter, which could cause damage to the engine cowling, damage to adjacent engine components, and possible fire in the cowling, accomplish the following: \n\n\t(a)\tWithin 18 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a visual inspection of the wire termination lugs on the ignition selector switch located in the forward overhead switch panel in the flight compartment to determine if the lugs are installed in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 24-121, dated February 24, 1992. \n\n\t\t(1)\tIf any wire termination lug is improperly installed, prior to further flight, remove and reinstall wire terminations with the barrel up, and encapsulate wire termination lugs and attachment screws with sealant, in accordance with the service bulletin. \n\n\t\t(2)\tIf all wire termination lugs are properly installed, prior to further flight, encapsulate the termination lugs and attachment screws with sealant, in accordance with the service bulletin. \n\n\t(b)\tWithin 10 days after removing and reinstalling wire terminations with the barrel up, as required by paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, submit an accomplishment report of the modification, to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712, Attention: Robert Baitoo, ANM-140L, fax (310) 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\t(c)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. \n\n\tNOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO. \n\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\n\t(e)\tThe inspection, removal, reinstallation, and encapsulation shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 24-121, dated February 24, 1992. 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. LS1, M.C. 2-98. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at 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 April 21, 1995.

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, DC-9-80, and C-9 (military) series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on November 22, 1994 (59 FR 60097). That action proposed to require a visual inspection to verify proper installation of the wire termination lugs on the ignition selector switch, and removal and correct installation of any improperly installed wire termination lugs. That action also proposed to require application of sealant to the wire termination lugs and the attachment screws. \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 states that it plans to incorporate the service bulletin referenced in the proposed rule into its "heavy check" maintenance visits, which occur approximately every 18 months. The FAA infers from this comment that the commenter would like the compliance time for the visual inspection of the wire termination lugs on the ignition selector switch to be extended from the proposed 8 months to 18 months. The FAA concurs. The FAA's intent was that the inspection be accomplished during a regularly scheduled maintenance for the majority of the affected fleet, when the airplanes would be located at a base where special equipment and trained personnel would be readily available, if necessary. Based on the information supplied by the commenter, the FAA now recognizes that 18 months corresponds more closely to the interval representative of the commenter's normal maintenance schedules. Paragraph (a) of the final rule has been revised to reflect a compliance time of 18 months. The FAA does not consider that this extension will adversely affect safety. \n\n\tAnother commenter questions the applicability of the proposed rule. The commenter states that the service bulletin referenced in the proposed AD is effective for Model DC-9 series airplanes that are equipped with a 20/4 Joule Ignition System. The commenter's Model DC-9 series airplanes are equipped with Dual 20 Joule Ignition System and, therefore, the commenter states that this should exclude its airplanes from the applicability of the AD. The FAA concurs that clarification is necessary. The applicability statement of this AD indicates that only those airplanes listed in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 24-121, dated February 24, 1992, are applicable to its requirements. As the commenter points out, the service bulletin applies only to airplanes equipped with a 20/4 Joule Ignition System. The FAA's intent is to limit the applicability of this AD only to those airplanes that have been identified as subject to the addressed unsafe condition. In light of this, the applicability of the final rule has been revised to clarify that only those Model DC-9 series airplanes listed in the referenced service bulletin and equipped with 20/4 Joule Ignition Systems (and) are subject to the requirements of the AD. \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 previously described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD. \n\n\tThere are approximately 1,954 Model DC-9, DC-9-80, and C-9 series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 1,097 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The costs of required parts would be nominal. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $131,640, or $120 per airplane. \n\n\tThe 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. \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\n PART 39 - AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n\t1.\tThe authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\nAuthority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89. \n\n§ 39.13 - (Amended) \n\n\t2.\tSection 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: