[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6708-6710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3534]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-99-AD; Amendment 39-9928; AD 97-02-08 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

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SUMMARY: 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.

DATES: Effective March 4, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the

[[Page 6709]]

regulations was previously approved by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of March 4, 1997 (62 FR 3985, January 28, 1997).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brent Bandley, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone 
(310) 627-5237; fax (310) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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:
    1. Install external protective doublers between the outboard flight 
spoiler actuators and the aft spar webs of the wings; or
    2. Replace the pistons of the outboard flight spoiler actuators 
with improved pistons.
    That 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.

Actions Since Issuance of the AD

    Recently, 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.

Corrections Necessary to the Current AD

    The 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.
    Accordingly, 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.
    The final rule is being reprinted in its entirety for the 
convenience of affected operators.

Impact of the Correction

    Since 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Correction

    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 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:

97-02-08 R1  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9928. Docket 96-NM-99-
AD. Revises AD 97-02-08, amendment 39-9893.

    Applicability: 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.

    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 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:
    (a) Prior 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.

    Note 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.
    Note 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.

    (1) Install external protective doublers between the outboard 
flight spoiler actuators and the aft spar webs of the left and right 
wings; or
    (2) Replace the pistons of the outboard flight spoiler actuators 
on the left and right wings with improved pistons.
    (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 4: 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) Except 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,

[[Page 6710]]

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 is effective on March 4, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 6, 1997.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-3534 Filed 2-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U