AD 2001-24-14 Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes; C-9 Airplanes; and Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 Series Airplanes

Models named: DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, -50 series, DC-9-81, -82, -83, -87 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series airplanes; C-9 airplanes; and Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series airplanes; as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A072, Revision 01, dated May 22, 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. To prevent electrical failure due to overheated wires at the terminal strip, which could result in smoke and fire in the electrical/electronic compartment, accomplish the following: General Visual Inspection (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, do a general visual inspection of the power feeder bus cables of the auxiliary power unit (APU) for overheat damage between fuselage stations Y=160.000 (Item No. S3-287) and Y=148.000 (Item No. S3-23), per McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A072, Revision 01, dated May 22, 2000. Note 2: 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.” Condition 1 (No Evidence of Damage) (b) If no damage is detected during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, do the applicable action specified in paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of Table 1 of this AD, per McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A072, Revision 01, dated May 22, 2000. Table 1 is as follows: Table 1.—Condition 1 For airplanes identified in the referenced service bulletin as * * * Action By (1) Group 1 Revise the wiring installation and replace the nameplate with a new nameplate Before further flight. (2) Group 2 Revise the wiring installation Before further flight. (3) Group 3 No further action is required by this AD [Reserved]. Condition 2 (Evidence of Damage) (c) If any damage is detected during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, do the applicable action(s) specified in paragraph (c)(1), (c)(2), or (c)(3) of Table 2 of this AD, per McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A072, Revision 01, dated May 22, 2000. Table 2 is as follows: Table 2.—Condition 2 For airplanes identified in the referenced service bulletin as * * * Action By (1) Group 1 (i) Repair or replace wiring with new wiring; and Before further flight.   (ii) Revise wiring installation; and Before further flight.   (iii) Replace nameplate with a new nameplate Before further flight. (2) Group 2 (i) Repair or replace wiring with new wiring; and Before further flight.   (ii) Revise wiring installation Before further flight. (3) Group 3 (i) Repair wiring, or Before further flight.   (ii) Replace wiring with new wiring Before further flight. 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 3: 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 McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A072, Revision 01, dated May 22, 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 January 16, 2002. Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 28, 2001. Vi L. Lipski, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 01-30190 Filed 12-11-01; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U