AD 97-02-08 R1

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.

Final rule; correction.

97-02-08 R1 McDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-9928. Docket 96-NM-99-AD. Revises AD 97-02-08, Amendment 39-9893.\n\n\tApplicability: 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.\n\n\tNOTE 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.\n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.\n\n\tTo 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:\n\n\t(a)\tPrior 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.\n\n\tNOTE 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.\n\n\tNOTE 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.\n\n\t\t(1)\tInstall external protective doublers between the outboard flight spoiler actuators and the aft spar webs of the left and right wings; or\n\n\t\t(2)\tReplace the pistons of the outboard flight spoiler actuators on the left and right wings with improved pistons.\n\n\t(b)\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\n\t(c)\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(d)\tExcept 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, 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(e)\tThis amendment is effective on March 4, 1997.

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:\n\n\t1. install external protective doublers between the outboard flight spoiler actuators and the aft spar webs of the wings; or\n\n\t2. replace the pistons of the outboard flight spoiler actuators with improved pistons.\n\n\tThat 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.\n\nActions Since Issuance of the AD\n\n\tRecently, 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.\n\nCorrections Necessary to the Current AD\n\n\tThe 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.\n\n\tAccordingly, 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.\n\n\tThe final rule is being reprinted in its entirety for the convenience of affected operators.\n\nImpact of the Correction\n\n\tSince 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.\n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.\n\nAdoption of the Correction\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 (14CFR 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 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: