AD 2000-23-22
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-11 | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-12 | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-13 | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-14 | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-15 | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-15F | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-21 | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-31 | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-32 | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-32 (VC-9C) | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-32F | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-32F (C-9A) | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-32F (C-9B) | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-33F | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-34 | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-34F | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-41 | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-9-51 | Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes |
Unsafe Condition
Fatigue cracking in the forward passenger door doorjamb, which could result in rapid decompression of the fuselage and reduced structural integrity.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Inspect the forward passenger door doorjamb for cracks using eddy current inspection. Modify the doorjamb if cracks are detected. Revise the inspection intervals and thresholds as specified in the referenced service bulletin.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
Within the specified intervals and thresholds as detailed in the referenced service bulletin, with a compliance time of 'prior to the accumulation of 48,000 total landings' for certain configurations.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series airplanes, and C-9 (military) airplanes.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series airplanes and C-9 (military) airplanes, that currently requires a one-time visual inspection to determine if the doorstops and corners of the doorjamb of the forward passenger door have been modified, various follow-on repetitive inspections, and modification, if necessary. This amendment requires a reduction in the inspection threshold and repetitive intervals for a certain doubler configuration and an increase in the grace period for a certain other doubler configuration. This amendment is prompted by a determination that certain inspection compliance times were incorrect. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which could result in rapid decompression of the fuselage and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
Document Text
Show stored source text (verify against official source)
[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 228 (Monday, November 27, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 70650-70653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 00-29497]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-333-AD; Amendment 39-11995; AD 2000-23-22]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -
30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30,
-40, and -50 series airplanes and C-9 (military) airplanes, that
currently requires a one-time visual inspection to determine if the
doorstops and corners of the doorjamb of the forward passenger door
have been modified, various follow-on repetitive inspections, and
modification, if necessary. This amendment requires a reduction in the
inspection threshold and repetitive intervals for a certain doubler
configuration and an increase in the grace period for a certain other
doubler configuration. This amendment is prompted by a determination
that certain inspection compliance times were incorrect. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct fatigue
cracking, which could result in rapid decompression of the fuselage and
consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
DATES: Effective January 2, 2001.
The incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas Service
Bulletin DC9-53-280, Revision 02, dated July 26, 1999, as listed in the
regulations, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of
January 2, 2001.
The incorporation by reference of certain other publications, as
listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of
the Federal Register as of January 22, 1999 (63 FR 70005, December 18,
1998).
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division,
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention:
Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60).
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, 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: Wahib Mina, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137;
telephone (562) 627-5324; fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 98-26-09,
amendment 39-10949 (63 FR 70005, December 18, 1998), which is
applicable
[[Page 70651]]
to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50
series airplanes and C-9 (military) airplanes, was published in the
Federal Register on April 5, 2000 (65 FR 17818). The action proposed to
require a reduction in the inspection threshold and repetitive
intervals for a certain doubler configuration and an increase in the
repetitive inspection interval for a certain other doubler
configuration.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Compliance Times
One commenter requests that the compliance time specified in
paragraphs (c)(1) and (d) of the proposed AD be revised to include ``or
prior to the accumulation of 48,000 total landings.'' The commenter
states that some of its airplanes have accumulated less than 44,425
total landings. The initial compliance thresholds in paragraphs (c)(1)
and (d) of the proposed AD do not take into consideration those
airplanes on which: (1) The initial inspection required by paragraph
(a) of the proposed AD is going to be accomplished at 48,000 total
landings, which is the later of the two thresholds in paragraph (a) of
this proposed AD; and (2) the landings since accomplishment of the
previously modified doorstops and corners of the forward passenger door
doorjamb is unknown. In this situation, those airplanes would exceed
the compliance times specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (d) of the
proposed AD.
A second commenter requests that the FAA clarify the compliance
times specified in paragraph (c)(1) of the proposed AD for the
doorjambs with steel repairs installed. The commenter states that,
since paragraph (c)(1) appears to ``allow up to [5],999 flight cycles
for existing repairs to be inspected initially,'' a repetitive
inspection interval of 3,000 flight cycles specified in paragraph
(c)(1)(i) of the proposed AD should be increased to 3,575 flight
cycles. The commenter states that such an interval would maintain at
least an equivalent level of safety.
The FAA partially concurs. For the reasons provided by the first
commenter, the FAA concurs that paragraphs (c)(1) and (d) of the final
rule should include a compliance time of ``prior to the accumulation of
48,000 total landings'' and has revised the final rule accordingly.
The FAA does not concur with the second commenter that the
repetitive inspection interval of 3,000 landings specified in paragraph
(c)(1)(i) of the AD should be increased. The FAA determined that the
cracking of the forward passenger door doorjamb is fatigue related (as
discussed in the preamble of the NPRM). The 3,000-landing compliance
time was calculated based on fatigue and damage tolerance analyses.
Therefore, the FAA finds that the 3,000-landing repetitive inspection
interval of paragraph (c)(1)(i) of the AD is warranted, based on the
effectiveness of the inspection procedure to detect cracks, and the
rate of crack growth in the forward passenger door doorjamb. However,
the FAA inadvertently included an initial repetitive inspection
interval of ``within 2,000 landings after the effective date of this AD
or within 3,000 landings from the last inspection in accordance with
paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, whichever occurs later'' in paragraph
(c)(1)(i) of the proposed AD. The FAA's intent was that, if no crack is
detected on the skin adjacent to the modification during any eddy
current inspection required by paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, the eddy
current inspection be accomplished thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 3,000 landings, as indicated in the referenced service bulletin.
Therefore, the FAA has revised paragraph (c)(1)(i) of the final rule
accordingly.
Designated Engineer Representative (DER) Authority
One commenter requests that the proposed AD be revised to allow
approval of certain repairs (i.e., cracking conditions beyond the
allowable repair limits specified in the proposed AD, and for existing
repairs that are not done per the DC-9 Structural Repair Manual or
Service Rework Drawing) based on static strength analysis by a Boeing
DER or airline DER, instead of the Manager of the Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO). Then, the repair should be submitted to
Boeing for a damage tolerance analysis, and subsequently, submitted to
the Manager of the Los Angeles ACO. The commenter states that this
provision would result in a more efficient and expeditious repair
approval process.
The FAA does not concur. While DER's are authorized to determine
whether a design or repair method complies with a specific requirement,
they are not currently authorized to make the discretionary
determination as to what the applicable requirement is. However, the
FAA has issued a notice (N 8110.72, dated March 30, 1998), which
provides guidance for delegating authority to certain type certificate
holder structural DER's to approve alternative methods of compliance
for AD-required repairs and modifications of individual airplanes. The
FAA is currently working with Boeing, Douglas Products Division (DPD),
to develop the implementation process for delegation of approval of
alternative methods of compliance in accordance with that notice. Once
this process is implemented, approval authority for alternative methods
of compliance can be delegated without revising the AD.
Explanation of Changes to Final Rule
The FAA finds that, as the proposed AD is currently worded,
operators may misinterpret what type of eddy current inspection (i.e.,
low frequency or high frequency) must be accomplished. The FAA's intent
was to follow the particular type of eddy current inspection indicated
in the referenced service bulletin. However, because the service
bulletin interchanges the use of low frequency eddy current inspection
and high frequency eddy current inspection, the FAA has revised the
final rule to only reference ``eddy current inspection,'' rather than a
particular type of eddy current inspection.
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 with the changes previously
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 809 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 572 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD.
The visual inspection that is currently required by AD 98-26-09,
and retained in this AD, takes approximately 1 work hour per airplane
to accomplish the required visual inspection, at an average labor rate
of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the
currently required visual inspection required by this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $34,320 or $60 per airplane.
Should an operator be required to accomplish the eddy current or x-
ray inspection, it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost
[[Page 70652]]
impact of any necessary eddy current or x-ray inspection required by
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $120 per airplane, per
inspection cycle.
Should an operator be required to accomplish the HFEC inspection,
it will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at
an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of any necessary HFEC inspection required by this AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $60 per airplane, per inspection
cycle.
Should an operator be required to accomplish the modification, it
will take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost
between $898 and $1,037 per airplane, depending on the service kit
purchased. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification
required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $1,378
and $1,517 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.
Regulatory Impact
The 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.
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 removing amendment 39-10949 (63 FR
70005, December 18, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39-11995, to read as follows:
2000-23-22 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11995. Docket 99-NM-333-
AD. Supersedes AD 98-26-09, Amendment 39-10949.
Applicability: Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series
airplanes, and C-9 (military) airplanes, as listed in McDonnell
Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-53-280, Revision 02, dated July 26,
1999; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
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 (g)(1)
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 detect and correct fatigue cracking in the doorstops and
corners of the doorjamb of the forward passenger door, which could
result in rapid decompression of the fuselage and consequent reduced
structural integrity of the airplane, accomplish the following:
Note 2: Where there are differences between the service bulletin
and the AD, the AD prevails.
Note 3: The words ``repair'' and ``modify/modification'' in this
AD and the referenced service bulletin are used interchangeably.
Visual Inspection
(a) Prior to the accumulation of 48,000 total landings, or
within 3,575 landings after January 22, 1999 (the effective date of
AD 98-26-09, amendment 39-10949), whichever occurs later, perform a
one-time visual inspection to determine if the doorstops and corners
of the forward passenger door doorjamb have been modified. Perform
the inspection in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin
DC9-53-280, dated December 1, 1997, Revision 01, dated July 30,
1998, or Revision 02, dated July 26, 1999.
Group 1, Eddy Current or X-Ray Inspection
(b) For airplanes identified as Group 1 in McDonnell Douglas
Service Bulletin DC9-53-280, Revision 01, dated July 30, 1998: If
the visual inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD reveals
that the doorstops and corners of the forward passenger door
doorjamb have not been modified, prior to further flight, perform an
eddy current or x-ray inspection to detect cracks at all corners and
doorstops of the forward passenger door doorjamb, in accordance with
McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-53-280, dated December 1,
1997, Revision 01, dated July 30, 1998, or Revision 02, dated July
26, 1999.
(1) Group 1, Condition 1. If no crack is detected during any
eddy current or x-ray inspection required by paragraph (b) of this
AD, accomplish the requirements of either paragraph (b)(1)(i) or
(b)(1)(ii) of this AD, in accordance with the service bulletin.
(i) Option 1. Repeat the eddy current inspection required by
this paragraph thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,575 landings,
or the x-ray inspection required by this paragraph thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 3,075 landings; or
(ii) Option 2. Prior to further flight, modify the doorstops and
corners of the forward passenger door doorjamb, in accordance with
the service bulletin. Prior to the accumulation of 28,000 landings
after accomplishment of the modification, perform an eddy current
inspection to detect cracks on the skin adjacent to the
modification, in accordance with the service bulletin.
(A) If no crack is detected on the skin adjacent to the
modification during any eddy current inspection required by
paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this AD, repeat the eddy current inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 20,000 landings.
(B) If any crack is detected on the skin adjacent to the
modification during any eddy current inspection required by
paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair it
in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.
(2) Group 1, Condition 2. If any crack is found during any eddy
current or x-ray inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD,
and the crack is 0.50 inch or less in length: Prior to further
flight, modify the doorstops and corners of the forward passenger
door doorjamb in accordance with the service bulletin. Prior to the
accumulation of 28,000 landings after accomplishment of the
modification, perform an eddy current inspection to detect cracks on
the skin adjacent to the modification, in accordance with the
service bulletin.
[[Page 70653]]
(i) If no crack is detected on the skin adjacent to the
modification during any eddy current inspection required by
paragraph (b)(2) of this AD, repeat the eddy current inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 20,000 landings.
(ii) If any crack is detected on the skin adjacent to the
modification during any eddy current inspection required by
paragraph (b)(2) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair it in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.
(3) Group 1, Condition 3. If any crack is found during any eddy
current or x-ray inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD,
and the crack is greater than 0.5 inch in length: Prior to further
flight, repair it in accordance with a method approved by the
Manager, Los Angeles ACO.
Group 2, Inspection of Modified Doorstops and Corners With Steel
Doublers
(c) Group 2, Condition 1. For airplanes identified as Group 2 in
McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-53-280, Revision 01, dated
July 30, 1998: If the visual inspection required by paragraph (a) of
this AD reveals that the doorstops and corners of the forward
passenger door doorjamb have been modified previously in accordance
with the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Structural Repair Manual (SRM),
using a steel doubler, accomplish either paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2)
of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin
DC9-53-280, dated December 1, 1997, Revision 01, dated July 30,
1998, or Revision 02, dated July 26, 1999.
(1) Option 1. Prior to the accumulation of 6,000 landings after
accomplishment of the modification, prior to the accumulation of
48,000 total landings, within 3,575 landings after January 22, 1999,
or within 2,000 landings after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs latest: Perform an eddy current inspection to
detect cracks on the skin adjacent to the modification, in
accordance with the service bulletin.
(i) If no crack is detected on the skin adjacent to the
modification during any eddy current inspection required by
paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, repeat the eddy current inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,000 landings.
(ii) If any crack is detected on the skin adjacent to the
modification during any eddy current inspection required by
paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair it in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.
(2) Option 2. Prior to further flight, modify the doorstops and
corners of the forward passenger door doorjamb in accordance with
the service bulletin. Prior to the accumulation of 28,000 landings
after the accomplishment of the modification, perform a eddy current
inspection to detect cracks on the skin adjacent to the
modification, in accordance with the service bulletin.
(i) If no crack is detected on the skin adjacent to the
modification during any eddy current inspection required by
paragraph (c)(2) of this AD, repeat the eddy current inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 20,000 landings.
(ii) If any crack is detected on the skin adjacent to the
modification during any eddy current inspection required by
paragraph (c)(2) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair it in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.
Group 2, Inspection of Modified Doorstops and Corners With Aluminum
Doublers
(d) Group 2, Condition 2. For airplanes identified as Group 2 in
McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-53-280, Revision 01, dated
July 30, 1998: If the visual inspection required by paragraph (a) of
this AD reveals that the doorstops and corners of the forward
passenger door doorjamb have been modified previously in accordance
with McDonnell Douglas DC-9 SRM or Service Rework Drawing, using an
aluminum doubler, prior to the accumulation of 28,000 landings after
the accomplishment of the modification, prior to the accumulation of
48,000 total landings, or within 3,575 landings after January 22,
1999, whichever occurs latest, perform an eddy current inspection to
detect cracks on the skin adjacent to the modification, in
accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-53-280, dated
December 1, 1997, Revision 01, dated July 30, 1998, or Revision 02,
dated July 26, 1999.
(1) If no crack is detected on the skin adjacent to the
modification during any eddy current inspection required by
paragraph (d) of this AD, repeat the eddy current inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 20,000 landings.
(2) If any crack is detected on the skin adjacent to the
modification during any eddy current inspection required by
paragraph (d) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair it in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.
Group 2, Inspection of Modified Doorstops and Corners Not Per SRM or
Service Rework Drawing
(e) Group 2, Condition 3. For airplanes identified as Group 2 in
McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-53-280, Revision 02, dated
July 26, 1999: If the visual inspection required by paragraph (a) of
this AD reveals that the doorstops and corners of the forward
passenger door doorjamb have been modified previously, but not in
accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC9 SRM or the Service Rework
Drawing, prior to further flight, repair it in accordance with a
method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.
Terminating Action for Supplemental Inspection Document, AD 96-13-03
(f) Accomplishment of the actions required by this AD
constitutes terminating action for inspections of Principal
Structural Element (PSE) 53.09.031 (reference McDonnell Douglas
Model DC-9 Supplemental Inspection Document) required by AD 96-13-
03, amendment 39-9671.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(g)(1) 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 ACO. 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.
(2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in
accordance with AD 98-26-09, amendment 39-10949, or AD 96-13-03,
amendment 39-9671, are approved as alternative methods of compliance
with this AD.
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.
Special Flight Permits
(h) 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.
Incorporation by Reference
(i) Except as provided by paragraphs (b)(1)(ii)(B), (b)(2)(ii),
(b)(3), (c)(1)(ii), (c)(2)(ii), (d)(2), and (e) of this AD, the
actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service
Bulletin DC9-53-280, dated December 1, 1997; McDonnell Douglas
Service Bulletin DC9-53-280, Revision 01, dated July 30, 1998; or
McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-53-280, Revision 02, dated
July 26, 1999.
(1) The incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas Service
Bulletin DC9-53-280, Revision 02, dated July 26, 1999, is approved
by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) The incorporation by reference of the remaining publications
was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 22, 1999 (63 FR 70005, December 18, 1998).
(3) Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft
Group, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach,
California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business
Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). 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.
Effective Date
(j) This amendment becomes effective on January 2, 2001.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 13, 2000.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-29497 Filed 11-24-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 6, 2026
Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain
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