AD 2008-11-15 Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 Airplanes; Model DC-9-10 Series Airplanes; Model DC-9-20 Series Airplanes; Model DC-9-30 Series Airplanes; Model DC-9-40 Series Airplanes; Model DC-9-50 Series Airplanes; Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) Airplanes; Model MD-88 Airplanes; and Model MD-90-30 Airplanes

Models named: 717-200, DC-9-11, DC-9-12, DC-9-13, DC-9-14, DC-9-15, DC-9-15F, DC-9-21, DC-9-41, DC-9-51. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model 717-200 airplanes; Model DC-9-11, DC-9-12, DC-9-13, DC-9-14, DC-9-15, and DC-9-15F airplanes; Model DC-9-21 airplanes; Model DC-9-31, DC-9-32, DC-9-32 (VC-9C), DC-9-32F, DC-9-33F, DC-9-34, DC-9-34F, and DC-9-32F (C-9A, C-9B) airplanes; Model DC-9-41 airplanes; Model DC-9-51 airplanes; Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes; Model MD-88 airplanes; and Model MD-90-30 airplanes; certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these limitations is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) according to paragraph (k) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. Service Information Reference (f) The term “Report MDC-92K9145,” as used in this AD, means the Boeing Twinjet Special Compliance Items Report, MDC-92K9145, Revision G, dated June 7, 2007. Revise the FAA-Approved Maintenance Program (g) For Model DC-9-11, DC-9-12, DC-9-13, DC-9-14, DC-9-15, and DC-9-15F airplanes; Model DC-9-21 airplanes; Model DC-9-31, DC-9-32, DC-9-32 (VC-9C), DC-9-32F, DC-9-33F, DC-9-34, DC-9-34F, and DC-9-32F (C-9A, C-9B) airplanes; Model DC-9-41 airplanes; Model DC-9-51 airplanes; and Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes: Before December 16, 2008, revise the FAA-approved maintenance program to incorporate the information specified in Appendixes B, C, and D of Report MDC-92K9145. Accomplishing the revision in accordance with a later revision of Report MDC-92K9145 is an acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Revise the Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) Section (h) For Model 717-200, Model MD-88, and Model MD-90-30 airplanes: Before December 16, 2008, revise the AWLs section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) to incorporate the information specified in Appendixes B, C, and D of Report MDC-92K9145. Accomplishing the revision in accordance with a later revision of Report MDC-92K9145 is an acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO. No Alternative Inspections, Inspection Intervals, or Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs) (i) After accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (g) or (h) of this AD, as applicable, no alternative inspections, inspection intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are part of a later revision of Report MDC-92K9145 that is approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO; or unless the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD. No Reporting Requirement (j) Although Report MDC-92K9145 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (k)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, ATTN: Serj Harutunian, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5254; fax (562) 627-5210; has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. Material Incorporated by Reference (l) You must use the Boeing Twinjet Special Compliance Items Report, MDC-92K9145, Revision G, dated June 7, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The document contains the following errors: (i) The Index of Page Changes specifies incorrect revision levels for certain pages. The revision levels specified on each page are correct. (ii) There are three sets of pages (six pages total) with the same page numbers in Appendix C (i.e., pages C1 and C2). The first set of page numbers (i.e., Appendix C title page and Twinjet Airworthiness Limitation Instructions (ALIs)) is correct. The second set of page numbers (i.e., ALI 20-2) is incorrect. Those pages should be identified as page numbers C6 and C7 as specified in the Index of Page Changes. The third set of page numbers (i.e., ALI 20-3) is also incorrect. Those pages should be identified as page numbers C8 and C9 as specified in the Index of Page Changes. (iii) None of the pages are dated. The issue date for each revision is specified in the Index of Page Changes. (2) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). (4) You may review copies of the service information incorporated by reference at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 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 May 15, 2008. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-11502 Filed 5-28-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.