AD 2004-05-09

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas airplane models, that requires a one-time inspection for chafing of wiring in the left-hand tunnel area of the forward cargo compartment, repair if necessary, and coiling and stowing of excess wiring. This action is necessary to prevent wire chafing and subsequent shorting to structure in the forward cargo compartment, which could result in smoke or fire in the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

Final rule.

2004-05-09 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13503. Docket 2000-NM- 170-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and MD-88 airplanes; certificated in any category; as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-24A158, Revision 01, dated February 23, 2000. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo prevent wire chafing and subsequent shorting to structure in the forward cargo compartment, which could result in smoke or fire in the airplane, accomplish the following: \n\nInspection and Follow-On Actions \n\n\t(a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time general visual inspection for chafing of wiring in the left-hand tunnel area of the forward cargo compartment between Y = 237.000 and Y = 256.000, per the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-24A158, Revision 01, dated February 23, 2000. Then, do paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable. \n\n\t(1) If any chafing is found, before further flight, repair per the service bulletin. \n\n\t(2) Before further flight, coil and stow excess wiring per the service bulletin. \n\n\tNote 1: 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 from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight 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 checked." \n\nInspections Accomplished per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin \n\n\t(b) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD per McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD80-24-158, dated October 27, 1995, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action specified in this AD. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance \n\n\t(c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD. \n\nIncorporation by Reference \n\n\t(d) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-24A158, Revision 01, dated February 23, 2000. 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 Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800- 0024). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, 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\nEffective Date \n\n\t(e) This amendment becomes effective on April 7, 2004.

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 airplane models was published in the Federal Register on July 29, 2003 (68 FR 44491). That action proposed to require a one-time inspection for chafing of wiring in the left-hand tunnel area of the forward cargo compartment, repair if necessary, and coiling and stowing of excess wiring. \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 1,116 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 655 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $127,725, or $195 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. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions. Manufacturer warranty remedies may be available for labor costs associated with this AD. Asa result, the costs attributable to the AD may be less than stated above. \n\nRegulatory Impact \n\n\tThe regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct effect 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, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. \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 beobtained 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\nAccordingly, 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\n1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n§ 39.13 (Amended) \n\n2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: