AD 2006-18-05 Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-14, DC-9-15, and DC-9-15F Airplanes; Model DC-9-21 Airplanes; Model DC-9-30 Series Airplanes; Model DC-9-41 Airplanes; and Model DC-9-51 Airplanes

This AD applies to the McDonnell Douglas airplanes identified in Table 1 of this AD, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 2, dated October 12, 2004. Table 1.—Affected Airplanes Model (1) DC-9-14, DC-9-15, and DC-9-15F airplanes. (2) DC-9-21 airplanes. (3) 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, and DC-9-34F airplanes. (4) DC-9-41 airplanes. (5) DC-9-51 airplanes.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Requirements of AD 2003-03-08 One-Time Inspection and Corrective Actions (f) For airplanes equipped with forward lavatories, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 01, dated November 21, 2001: Within 18 months after March 7, 2003 (the effective date of AD 2003-03-08), perform a one-time general visual inspection of the disconnect panel at station Y=237.000 in the left forward cargo compartment to find evidence of contamination (e.g., staining or corrosion) of electrical connectors by blue water, and to determine if a dripshield is installed over the disconnect panel. Do this inspection according to the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 01, excluding Evaluation Form, dated November 21, 2001. (1) If no evidence of contamination of electrical connectors is found, and a dripshield is installed, no further action is required by this AD. (2) If any evidence of contamination of any electrical connector is found: Before further flight, remove each affected connector, and install a new or serviceable connector according to the service bulletin. (3) If no dripshield is installed over the disconnect panel: Before further flight, install a dripshield according to the service bulletin. Previously Accomplished Inspections and Corrective Actions (g) Inspections and corrective actions accomplished before March 7, 2003, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, dated July 31, 2001, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified in paragraph (f) of this AD. New Requirements of This AD One-Time Inspection and Corrective Actions (h) For airplanes equipped with forward lavatories, other than those identified in paragraph (f) of this AD: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do the one-time general visual inspection and applicable corrective actions specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 2, dated October 12, 2004. The applicable corrective actions must be done before further flight. Credit for Previous Accomplishment (i) For airplanes equipped with forward lavatories, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 2, dated October 12, 2004: Accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (f) of this AD before the effective date of this AD is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (h) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (j)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. (3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2003-03-08 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraph (f) of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 2, dated October 12, 2004; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 01, excluding Evaluation Form, dated November 21, 2001, as applicable, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 2, dated October 12, 2004, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) On March 7, 2003 (68 FR 4900, January 31, 2003), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC9-24A190, Revision 01, excluding Evaluation Form, dated November 21, 2001. (3) Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov ; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 23, 2006. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E6-14627 Filed 9-5-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a report of electrical arcing that resulted in a fire. We are issuing this AD to prevent contamination of certain electrical connectors, which could cause electrical arcing and consequent fire on the airplane.