AD 96-10-11 Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 and DC-9- 80 Series Airplanes, Model MD-88 Airplanes, and C-9 (Military) Series Airplanes

Models named: DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, -50 series, MD-88. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series airplanes; Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), -82 (MD-82), -83 (MD-83), and -87 (MD-87) series airplanes; Model MD-88 airplanes; and C-9 (military) series 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 (h) 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. Note 2: For purposes of this AD, references to Tables 2.1, 2.3, and 3.1 of the Service Action Requirements Document (SARD) are applicable to Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series airplanes, and C-9 (military) series airplanes; and Tables 2.2 and 2.4 of the SARD are applicable to Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 (MD-81, -82, -83, and -87) series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent structural failure, accomplish the following: Note 3: Paragraph (a) of this AD restates the requirements for an initial inspection and the repetitive inspections contained in paragraph A. of AD 90-18-03. Therefore, for operators who have previously accomplished at least the initial inspection in accordance with AD 90-18-03, paragraph (a) of this AD requires that the next scheduled inspection be performed within the specified repetitive inspection interval after the last inspection performed in accordance with paragraph A. of AD 90-18-03. (a) Except as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD, within the threshold for inspections specified in the service bulletins listed in either Table 2.1 or Table 2.2 , as applicable, of ``DC-9/MD-80 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements Document,'' McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC K1572, Revision A, dated June 1, 1990 (hereinafter referred to as ``SARD, Revision A''), or within one repetitive inspection period specified in those service bulletins after September 24, 1990 (the effective date of AD 90-18-03, Amendment 39-6701); whichever occurs later: Inspect to detect cracks in accordance with those service bulletins. Repeat these inspections thereafter at the intervals specified in the service bulletins listed in either Table 2.1, or Table 2.2, as applicable, of SARD, Revision A, until the applicable terminating modification required by paragraph (d) of this AD is accomplished. Note 4: Table 2.1 of SARD, Revision A, includes the inspections specified in DC-9 Service Bulletin 57-129, Revision 3, dated November 6, 1987. Since issuance of the SARD, Revision A, that service bulletin has been re-issued as two separate service bulletins: DC-9 Service Bulletin 57-129, Revision 5, and DC-9 Service Bulletin 57-200; both dated November 10, 1994. Therefore, accomplishment of both DC-9 Service Bulletins 57-129, Revision 5, and 57-200 is considered acceptable for compliance with the inspections specified in DC-9 Service Bulletin 57-129, Revision 3. Note 5: The service bulletin revision levels list under ``Recommended Modification'' in either Table 2.1 or Table 2.2, as applicable, of SARD, Revision A, are acceptable revisions for inspections performed prior to September 24, 1994. (b) Except as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD, within the threshold for inspections specified in the service bulletins listed in Tables 2.3 and 3.1, or Table 2.4, as applicable, of ``DC-9/MD-80 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements Document,'' McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC K1572, Revision B, dated January 15, 1993 (hereinafter referred to as ``SARD, Revision B''), or within one repetitive inspection period specified in those service bulletins after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Inspect to detect cracks in accordance with those service bulletins. Repeat these inspections thereafter at the intervals specified in the service bulletins listed in either paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD, as applicable, until the applicable terminating modification required by paragraph (e) of this AD is accomplished. Note 6: Accomplishment of the inspections in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 57-129, Revision 5, dated November 10, 1994; and McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 57- 200, dated November 10, 1994; is acceptable for compliance with the inspections described in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 57- 129, Revision 3, which is referenced in SARD, Revision B. (1) For Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, -50, and C-9 (military) series airplanes: The service bulletins listed in Tables 2.3 and 3.1 of SARD, Revision B. Or (2) For Model DC-9-81, -82, -83, -87 (MD-81, -82, -83, -87), and Model MD-88 airplanes: The service bulletins listed in Table 2.4 of SARD, Revision B. Note 7: The service bulletin revision levels list under ``Recommended Modification'' or ``Recommended Inspection'' in Tables 2.3 and 3.1, or Table 2.4, as applicable, of SARD, Revision B, are acceptable revisions for inspections performed prior to the effective date of this AD. (c) If any crack is found during any inspection required by this AD, prior to further flight, either accomplish the applicable terminating modification in accordance with paragraph (d) or (e) of this AD, or repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Note 8: Detection of any discrepancy, other than cracking, necessitates appropriate corrective action in accordance with the provisions of part 43 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 43). (d) Except as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD, prior to reaching the incorporation thresholds listed in either Table 2.1, or Table 2.2, as applicable, of SARD, Revision A or Revision B; or within 4 years after September 24, 1990 (the effective date of AD 90-18-03); whichever occurs later: Accomplish the structural modifications specified in the service bulletins listed in either Table 2.1, or Table 2.2, as applicable, of SARD, Revision A or Revision B. Accomplishment of these modifications constitutes terminating action for the applicable inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD. Note 9: Paragraph (d) of this AD restates the modification requirements of paragraph B. of AD 90-18-03. As allowed by the phrase, ``unless accomplished previously,'' if the requirements of paragraph B. of AD 90-18-03 have been accomplished previously, paragraph (d) of this AD does not require that they be repeated. Note 10: The service bulletin revision levels listed under ``Recommended Modification'' in either Table 2.1, or Table 2.2, as applicable, of SARD, Revision A, are acceptable revisions for modifications accomplished prior to September 24, 1994. Note 11: Accomplishment of the modification in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 57-129, Revision 5, dated November 10, 1994; and McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 57- 200, dated November 10, 1994; is acceptable for compliance with the modifications described in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 57-129, Revision 3, which is referenced in SARD, Revision A. (e) Except as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD, prior to reaching the incorporation thresholds listed in either Table 2.3, or Table 2.4, as applicable, of SARD, Revision B, or within 4 years after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Accomplish the structural modifications specified in the service bulletins listed in either Table 2.3, or Table 2.4, as applicable, of SARD, Revision B. Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating action for the applicable inspections required by paragraph (b) of this AD. Note 12: Accomplishment of the modifications in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 57-129, Revision 5, dated November 10, 1994, and McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 57- 200, dated November 10, 1994; is acceptable for compliance with the modifications described in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 57-129, Revision 3, which is referenced in SARD, Revision B. Note 13: The service bulletin revision levels listed under ``Recommended Modification'' in either Table 2.3, or Table 2.4 of SARD, Revision B, are acceptable revisions for modifications accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD. [[Page 24684]] Note 14: The modifications required by paragraphs (d) and (e) of this AD do not terminate the inspection requirements of any other AD unless that AD specifies that any such modification constitutes terminating action for those specified inspection requirements. (f) For Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, -50, and C-9 (military) series airplanes: Prior to the accumulation of 100,000 total landings, accomplish the modifications specified in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 53-230, Revision 1, dated January 12, 1993. Accomplishment of these modifications constitute terminating action for the inspections required by AD 88-24-08 R2, amendment 39- 6469. (g) The McDonnell Douglas service bulletins that are listed below, are addressed in the following separate rulemaking actions. Therefore, the actions specified in these service bulletins that are referenced in the following tables of SARD, Revision A or Revision B, are excluded from the requirements of this AD. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ McDonnell Douglas Service Amendment Table(s) Bulletin AD No. No. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3.1................ DC-9 Service Bulletin 54- 77-14-19 39-2971 30. 2.1................ DC-9 Service Bulletin 27- 92-11-10 39-8260 196. 2.1................ DC-9 Service Bulletin 27- 92-11-10 39-8260 250. 2.1 and 2.2........ MD-80 Service Bulletin 53- 94-08-04 39-8875 186. 2.2................ MD-80 Service Bulletin 53- 94-08-04 39-8875 216. 2.1................ DC-9 Service Bulletin 57- 96-01-05 39-9481 125. 2.3................ DC-9 Service Bulletin 57- 96-01-05 39-9481 148. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (h) 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, Transport Airplane Directorate. 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 15: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO. (i) Alternative methods of compliance previously granted for AD 90-18-03, amendment 39-6701, continue to be considered as acceptable alternative methods of compliance for the relevant provisions of this amendment. (j) 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. (k) The inspections and modifications shall be done in accordance with ``DC-9/MD-80 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements Document,'' McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC K1572, Revision A, dated June 1, 1990; and in accordance with ``DC-9/MD-80 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements Document,'' McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC K1572, Revision B, dated January 15, 1993, which contains the following list of effective pages: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Revision letter Page No. shown on Date shown on page page ------------------------------------------------------------------------ List of Effective Pages............. B January 15, 1993. Pages xi and xii.................... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The incorporation by reference of ``DC-9/MD-80 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements Document,'' McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC K1572, Revision A, dated June 1, 1990, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of September 24, 1990 (55 FR 34704, August 24, 1990). The incorporation by reference of ``DC-9/MD-80 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements Document,'' McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC K1572, Revision B, dated January 15, 1993, is 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 McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business Administration, Department C1-L51 (2-60). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (l) This amendment becomes effective on June 20, 1996. Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 8, 1996. Darrell M. Pederson, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 96-12020 Filed 5-15-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U