[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5752-5753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2853]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-124-AD; Amendment 39-9920; AD 97-03-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 and Model 
DC-9-80 Series Airplanes, Model MD-88 Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) 
Series Airplanes Equipped With BFGoodrich Evacuation Slides

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 and Model DC-9-80 
series airplanes, Model MD-88 airplanes, and C-9 (military) series 
airplanes, that requires modification of the girt and firing lanyard 
stowage. This amendment is prompted by reports of in-cabin inflation of 
certain evacuation slides due to the impingement of the galley service 
cart on the slide girt and firing lanyard. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent inadvertent inflation of the evacuation 
slides inside the cabin, which could contribute to injury of passengers 
and/or flightcrew in the passenger cabin.

DATES: Effective March 14, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 14, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft Evacuation Systems, 
Department 7916, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. This information may be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracy Ton, Aerospace Engineer, Systems 
and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone 
(310) 627-5352; fax (310) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 and Model DC-9-80 series airplanes, Model MD-88 airplanes, and C-9 
(military) series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
November 5, 1996 (61 FR 56919). That action proposed to require 
modification of the girt and firing lanyard stowage.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the two comments received.
    Both commenters support the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After 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 as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 300 BFGoodrich evacuation slides installed 
on 100 McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 and Model DC-9-80 series airplanes, 
Model MD-88 airplanes, and C-9 (military) series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet.
    The FAA estimates that 180 BFGoodrich evacuation slides installed 
on 60 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it 
will take approximately 2 work hours per slide to accomplish the 
required actions, and

[[Page 5753]]

that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will 
cost approximately $75 per forward slide and $100 per aft slide. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $195 per forward slide and $220 per aft slide.
    The 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.

Regulatory Impact

    The 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.
    For 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, 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:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

97-03-15 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9920. Docket 96-NM-124-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series 
airplanes; Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), 
DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplanes, Model MD-88 airplanes; and C-9 
(military) series airplanes; equipped with BFGoodrich Evacuation 
Slides, as listed in BFGoodrich Service Bulletin 25-280, Revision 2, 
dated August 15, 1996; certificated in any category.

    Note 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.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent in-cabin inflation of the evacuation slides, which 
could contribute to injury of passengers and/or flightcrew in the 
passenger cabin, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the girt and firing lanyard stowage in accordance with BFGoodrich 
Service Bulletin 25-280, Revision 2, dated August 15, 1996.
    (b) 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.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (c) Special 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.
    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with BFGoodrich 
Service Bulletin 25-280, Revision 2, dated August 15, 1996. 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 BFGoodrich Company, Aircraft 
Evacuation Systems, Department 7916, Phoenix, Arizona 85040. 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 14, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 30, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-2853 Filed 2-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P