2006-21-06 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-14790. Docket No. FAA- 2005-21779; Directorate Identifier 2002-NM-349-AD. \n\nEffective Date \n\n\t(a) This AD becomes effective November 29, 2006. \n\nAffected ADs \n\n\t(b) This AD supersedes AD 96-13-03. \n\nApplicability \n\n\t(c) This AD applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-11, DC- 9-12, DC-9-13, DC-9-14, DC-9-15, and DC-9-15F airplanes; DC-9-21 airplanes; DC-9-31, DC-9-32, DC-9-32 (VC-9C), DC-9-32F, DC-9-33F, DC-9-34, DC-9-34F, and DC-9-32F (C-9A, C-9B) airplanes; DC-9-41 airplanes; and DC-9-51 airplanes; certificated in any category. \n\nUnsafe Condition \n\n\t(d) This AD was prompted by a significant number of these airplanes approaching or exceeding the design service goal on which the initial type certification approval was predicated. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking that could compromise the structural integrity of these airplanes. \n\nCompliance \n\n\t(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. \n\nRequirements of AD 96-13-03 \n\nRevision of the FAA-Approved Maintenance Inspection Program \n\n\t(f) Within 6 months after July 24, 1996 (the effective date of AD 96-13-03), replace the FAA-approved maintenance inspection program with a revision that provides for inspection(s) of the principal structural elements (PSEs) defined in McDonnell Douglas Report No. L26-008, "DC-9 Supplemental Inspection Document (SID)," Section 2 of Volume I of McDonnell Douglas Report No. L26-008, "DC- 9 Supplemental Inspection Document (SID)," Revision 4, dated July 1993, in accordance with Section 2 of Volume III-95, dated September 1995, of the SID. \n\n\tNote 1: Operators should note that certain visual inspections of fleet leader operator sampling PSE's that were previously specified in earlier revisions of Volume III of the SID are no longer specified in Volume III-95 of the SID. \n\n\t(1) Prior to reaching the threshold (Nth), but no earlier than one-half of the threshold (½Nth), specified for all PSE's listed in Volume III-95, dated September 1995, of the SID, inspect each PSE sample in accordance with the non-destructive inspection (NDI) procedures set forth in Section 2 of Volume II, Revision 4, dated July 1993. Thereafter, repeat the inspection for that PSE at intervals not to exceed NDI/2 of the NDI procedure that is specified in Volume III-95, dated September 1995, of the SID, until the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD are accomplished. \n\t(2) The NDI techniques set forth in Section 2 of Volume II, Revision 4, dated July 1993, of the SID provide acceptable methods for accomplishing the inspections required by this paragraph. \n\t(3) All inspection results (negative or positive) must be reported to Boeing, in accordance with the instructions contained in Section 2 of Volume III-95, dated September 1995, of the SID. 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 2: Volume II of the SID, dated July 1993, is comprised of the following: \n\n\nTable 1\n\nVolume Designation\nRevision Level Shown on Volume\nVolume II-10/20\n4\nVolume II-20/30\n5\nVolume II-40\n4\nVolume II-50\n4\n\n\tNote 3: NDI inspections accomplished in accordance with the following Volume II of the SID provide acceptable methods for accomplishing the inspections required by this paragraph: \n\nTable 2\n\nVolume Designation\nRevision Level \nDate of Revision\nVolume II-10/20\n4\nJuly 1993\nVolume II-10-20\n3\nApril 1991\nVolume II-10/20\n2\nApril 1990\nVolume II-10/20\n1\nJune 1989\nVolume II-20\nOriginal \nNovember 1987\nVolume II-20/30\n5\nJuly 1993\nVolume II-20/30\n4\nApril 1991\nVolume II-20/30\n3\nApril 1990\nVolume II-20/30\n2\nJune 1989\nVolume II-20/30\n1\nNovember 1987\nVolume II-40\n4\nJuly 1993\nVolume II-40\n3\nApril 1991\nVolume II-40\n2\nApril 1990\nVolume II-40\n1\nJune 1989\nVolume II-40\nOriginal\nNovember 1987\nVolume II-50\n4\nJuly 1993\nVolume II-50\n3\nApril 1991\nVolume II-50\n2\nApril 1990\nVolume II-50\n1\nJune 1989\nVolume II-50\nOriginal\nNovember 1987\n\n\t(g) Any cracked structure detected during the inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD must be repaired before further flight, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA. \n\n\tNote 4: Requests for approval of any PSE repair that would affect the FAA-approved maintenance inspection program that is required by this AD should include a damage tolerance assessment for that PSE. \n\nNew Requirements of This AD \n\nRevision of the Maintenance Inspection Program \n\n\t(h) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, incorporate a revision into the FAA-approved maintenance inspection program that provides for inspection(s) of the PSEs, in accordance with Boeing Report L26-008, "DC-9 All Series, Supplemental Inspection Document (SID)," Volume I, Revision 6, dated November 2002. Unless otherwise specified, all further references in this AD to the "SID" are to Revision 6, dated November 2002. \n\nNon-Destructive Inspections (NDIs) \n\n\t(i) For all PSEs listed in Section 2 of Volume I of the SID, perform an NDI for fatigue cracking of each PSE in accordance with the NDI procedures specified in Section 2 of Volume II, Revision 6, dated November 2004, of the SID, at the times specified in paragraph (i)(1), (i)(2), or (i)(3) of this AD, as applicable. \n\t(1) For airplanes that have less than three-quarters of the fatigue life threshold (¾Nth) as of the effective date of the AD: Perform an NDI for fatigue cracking no earlier than one-half of the threshold (½Nth) but prior to reaching three-quarters of the threshold (¾Nth), or within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Inspect again prior to reaching the threshold (Nth) or NDI/2, whichever occurs later, but no earlier than (¾Nth). Thereafter, after passing the threshold (Nth), repeat the inspection for that PSE at intervals not to exceed NDI/2. \n\t(2) For airplanes that have reached or exceeded three-quarters of the fatigue life threshold (¾Nth), but less than the threshold (Nth), as of the effective date of the AD: Perform an NDI prior to reaching the threshold (Nth), or within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. Thereafter, after passing the threshold (Nth), repeat the inspection for that PSE at intervals not to exceed NDI/2. \n\t(3) For airplanes that have reached or exceeded the fatigue life threshold (Nth) as of the effective date of the AD: Perform an NDI within 18 months after the effective date of this AD. Thereafter, repeat the inspection for that PSE at intervals not to exceed NDI/2.Note 5: Volume II of the SID, dated November 2004, comprises the following: \n\nTable 3\n\nVolume Designation\nRevision Level Shown on Volume\nVolume II-10/20\n6\nVolume II-20/30\n7\nVolume II-40\n6\nVolume II-50\n6\n\nDiscrepant Findings \n\n\t(j) If any discrepancy (e.g., a PSE cannot be inspected as specified in Volume II of the SID or does not match rework, repair, or modification description in Volume I of the SID) is detected during any inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD, accomplish the action specified in paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD, as applicable. \n\t(1) If a discrepancy is detected during any inspection performed prior to ¾Nth or Nth: The area of the PSE affected by the discrepancy must be inspected prior to Nth or within 18 months of the discovery of the discrepancy, whichever is later, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA. \n\t(2) If a discrepancy is detected during any inspection performed after Nth: The area of the PSE affected by the discrepancy must be inspected prior to the accumulation of an additional NDI/2, measured from the last non-discrepant inspection finding, or within 18 months of the discovery of the \ndiscrepancy, whichever occurs later, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager of the Los Angeles ACO. \n\nReporting Requirements \n\n\t(k) All negative, positive, or discrepant (discrepant finding examples are described in paragraph (j) of this AD) findings of the inspections accomplished under paragraph (i) of this AD must be reported to Boeing, at the times specified in, and in accordance with the instructions contained in, Section 4 of Volume I, Revision 6, of the SID. 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 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. \n\nCorrective Actions \n\n\t(l) Any cracked structure of a PSE detected during any inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD must be repaired before further flight in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angles ACO, or by using a method approved in accordance with procedures specified in paragraph (p) of this AD. Accomplish follow-on actions described in paragraphs (l)(1), (l)(2), and (l)(3) of this AD, at the times specified. \n\t(1) Within 18 months after repair, perform a damage tolerance assessment (DTA) that defines the threshold for inspection of the repair and submit the assessment for approval. \n\t(2) Before reaching 75% of the repair threshold as determined in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD, submit the inspection methods and repetitive inspection intervals for the repair for approval. \n\t(3) Before the repair threshold, as determined in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD, incorporate the inspection method and repetitive inspection intervals into the FAA-approved structural maintenance or inspection program forthe airplane. \n\n\tNote 6: For the purposes of this AD, we anticipate that submissions of the DTA of the repair, if acceptable, should be approved within six months after submission. \n\n\tNote 7: Advisory Circular AC 25.1529-1, "Instructions for Continued Airworthiness of Structural Repairs on Transport Airplanes," dated August 1, 1991, is considered to be additional guidance concerning the approval of repairs to PSEs. \n\nInspection for Transferred Airplanes \n\n\t(m) Before any airplane that has exceeded the fatigue life threshold (Nth) can be added to an air carrier's operations specifications, a program for the accomplishment of the inspections required by this AD must be established per paragraph (m)(1) or (m)(2) of this AD, as applicable. \n\t(1) For airplanes that have been inspected in accordance with this AD, the inspection of each PSE must be accomplished by the new operator in accordance with the previous operator's schedule and inspection method, or the new operator's schedule and inspection method, at whichever time would result in the earlier accomplishment date for that PSE inspection. The compliance time for accomplishment of this inspection must be measured from the last inspection accomplished by the previous operator. After each inspection has been performed once, each subsequent inspection must be performed in accordance with the new operator's schedule and inspection method. \n\t(2) For airplanes that have not been inspected in accordance with this AD, the inspection of each PSE required by this AD must be accomplished either prior to adding the airplane to the air carrier's operations specification, or in accordance with a schedule and an inspection method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO. After each inspection has been performed once, each subsequent inspection must be performed per the new operator's schedule. \n\nInspections Accomplished Before the Effective Date of This AD \n\n\t(n) Inspections accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Report No. L26-008, "DC-9 All Series Supplemental Inspection Document (SID)," Volume I, Revision 6, dated November 2002, are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD. \n\nAcceptable for Compliance \n\n\t(o) Boeing Report MDC 91K0263, "DC-9/MD-80 Aging Aircraft Repair Assessment Program Document," Revision 1, dated October 2000, provides inspection/replacement programs for certain repairs to the fuselage pressure shell. These repairs and inspection/ replacement programs are considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraphs (i), (l), and (m) of this AD for repairs subject to that document. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\t(p)(1) The Manager, Los Angles ACO, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. \n\t(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with CFR 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. \n\t(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis of the airplane and 14 CFR 25.571, Amendment 45, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD. \n\t(4) AMOCs approved previously for alternative inspection procedures per AD 87-14-07 R1, amendment 39-6019; AD 94-03-01, amendment 39-8807; and AD 96-13-03; are acceptable for compliance with the actions required by paragraph (f) of this AD for inspections performed before the requirements of paragraph (i) are accomplished. \n\t(5) AMOCs approved previously for repairs per AD 87-14-07 R1, AD 94-03-01, and AD 96-13-03; are acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (l) of this AD. \n\nMaterial Incorporated by Reference \n\n\t(q) You must use McDonnell Douglas Report No. L26-008, "DC-9 Supplemental Inspection Document (SID)," Volume III-95, dated September 1995; and the volumes of Boeing Report L26-008, "DC-9 All Series, Supplemental Inspection Document (SID)," specified in Table 4 of this AD; as applicable, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\nTable 4 - Supplemental Inspection Document Volumes\n\nVolume \nEffective Pages\nRevision Level\nDate\nVolume I - All Series\nList of Effective Pages\nPages A-C\n4\nJuly 1993\nVolume I - All Series\nList of Effective Pages\nPages A-D\n6\nNovember 2002\nVolume II - 10/20\nList of Effective Pages\nPages A-K\n4\nJuly 1993\nVolume II - 10/20\nList of Effective Pages\nPages A-M\n6\nNovember 2004\nVolume II - 20/30\nList of Effective Pages\nPages A-T\n5\nJuly 1993\nVolume II - 20/30\nList of Effective Pages\nPages A-X\n7\nNovember 2004\nVolume II - 40\nList of Effective Pages\nPages A-M\n4\nJuly 1993\nVolume II - 40\nList of Effective Pages\nPages A-O\n6\nNovember 2004\nVolume II - 50\nList of Effective Pages\nPages A-M\n4\nJuly 1993\nVolume II - 50\nList of Effective Pages\nPages A-O\n6\nNovember 2004\n\n\t(Where there are differences between the revision dates listed in the List of Effective Pages and the revision dates shown on the actual pages of these documents, the revision dates on the actual pages are correct, except for the following: Volume I-All Series, dated July 1993: The revision dates in the List of Effective Pages are correct for the Record of Revisions, page 13 of the Introduction, and page B of Section 2.) \n\t(1) The incorporation by reference of the volumes of Boeing Report L26-008, "DC-9 All Series, Supplemental Inspection Document (SID)," specified in Table 4 of this AD, is approved by the Director of the Federal Registerin accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and CFR part 51. \n\t(2) The incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas Report No. L26-008, "DC-9 Supplemental Inspection Document (SID)," Volume III-95, dated September 1995, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register on July 24, 1996 (61 FR 31009, June 19, 1996). \n\t(3) Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal--register/code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--locations.html.