AD 2003-09-07 Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 Series Airplanes; and DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and MD-88 Airplanes

All Model DC-9-14, DC-9-15, DC-9-15F, DC-9-21, DC-9-31, DC-9-32, DC-9-32 (VC-9C), DC-9-32F, DC-9-32F (C-9A, C-9B), DC-9-33F, DC-9-34, DC-9-34F, DC-9-41, DC-9-51, DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and MD-88 airplanes; 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 the accumulation of water in the wheel wells of the left and right main landing gear (MLG) during flight, which could freeze on the lateral control mixer and control cables, resulting in restricted lateral control and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following: Leak Check/Repair (a) At the later of the compliance times specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, do a check of the slant pressure panels of the wheel wells of the left and right MLG for water leakage (including pressurizing the airplane and checking the panels for leaks, depressurizing the airplane to repair leaks, and pressurizing the airplane again to verify that all leaks are repaired), per the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-53A295, Revision 02, excluding Appendix and Evaluation Form, dated January 6, 2003. If any leak is found, before further flight, repair per the service bulletin. If no leak is found, no further action is required by this AD. (1) Prior to the accumulation of 40,000 flight hours since the date of issuance of the original Airworthiness Certificate or the date of issuance of the Export Certificate of Airworthiness, whichever occurs first. (2) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD. Optional Application of Sealant or Trimming of Migrated Seals (b) Prior to performing the check for water leakage specified in paragraph (a) of this AD, operators, at their option, may apply PR-1422 sealant to the fillet seal or trim migrated seals, within limits specified by and per a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Note 2: Application of PR-1422 sealant per the procedures specified in Boeing Service Drawing 5956065 is an approved means of complying with the sealant application provision specified in paragraph (b) of this AD. Credit for Actions Done per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin (c) Accomplishment of the check for water leakage and repair of leaks found, before the effective date of this AD, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-53A295, excluding Appendix and Evaluation Form, dated May 8, 2001; or Revision 01, dated February 28, 2002; is acceptable for compliance with paragraph (a) of this AD. Note 3: Although Boeing Alert Service Bulletins DC9-53A295, dated May 8, 2001; Revision 01, dated February 28, 2002; and Revision 02, dated January 6, 2003; recommend that operators report findings to the manufacturer after doing the initial leak check, this AD does not contain such a reporting requirement. 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 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. 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 §§ 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) Unless otherwise provided by this AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-53A295, Revision 02, excluding Appendix and Evaluation Form, dated January 6, 2003. 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; 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 June 5, 2003. Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 23, 2003. Ali Bahrami, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 03-10512 Filed 4-30-03; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P