AD 2001-17-34 Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 Series Airplanes, and Model MD-88 Airplanes

Models named: DC-9-81, -82, -83, -87 series, MD-88. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-33A099, Revision 03, dated January 27, 2000; 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 (d) 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.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. Note 2: Actions required by this AD that were done before the effective date of this AD per McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Service Bulletin 33-99, Revision 1, dated February 23, 1995; or Revision 02, dated December 15, 1995; are considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD. To prevent failures of the electrical connectors, which could result in poor socket/pin contact, excessive heat, electrical arcing, and subsequently, connector burn-through and smoke and/or fire in the passenger cabin, accomplish the following: General Visual Inspection (a) Perform a general visual inspection to detect damage, burn marks, or black or brown discoloration caused by electrical arcing at electrical plugs, having part number (P/N) MS3126F-15P, and receptacles, having P/N MS3124E-15S, of the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-33A099, Revision 03, dated January 27, 2000; at the applicable time indicated in Table 1 of this AD, below: Table 1.—Inspection Compliance Times Affected airplanes Compliance time (1) DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series airplanes, and MD-88 airplanes, serial numbers 49614, 49626 through 49632 inclusive, 49668, and 49707 Within 18 months after October 5, 1995 (the effective date of AD 95-19-09). (2) Other than those airplanes identified in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD. Note 3: 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 under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or drop-light, 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.” Corrective Action (b) If any discrepancy is found during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, before further flight, replace the damaged connectors, pins, sockets, or wires with new parts, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-33A099, Revision 03, dated January 27, 2000. Modification (c) At the applicable time indicated in Table 1 of this AD, modify the electrical connectors of the sidewall lighting in the passenger cabin, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-33A099, Revision 03, dated January 27, 2000. Accomplishment of this modification constitutes compliance with the requirements of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (d) 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. 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. Special Flight Permits (e) 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 (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD80-33A099, Revision 03, dated January 27, 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 Aircraft Group, 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. Effective Date (g) This amendment becomes effective on October 4, 2001. Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 22, 2001. Ali Bahrami, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 01-21745 Filed 8-29-01; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P