AD 99-06-13 Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 Series Airplanes and Model MD-88 Airplanes

Models named: MD-88. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes; as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-32A286, dated September 11, 1995; 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)(1) 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 collapse of the main landing gear (MLG) due to fracturing of the shock strut cylinder, accomplish the following: Note 2: Where there are differences between the referenced alert service bulletin and the AD, the AD prevails. Inspections (a) Perform dye penetrant and magnetic particle inspections to detect cracking of the shock strut cylinder of the MLG, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80- 32A286, Revision 03, dated May 28, 1998; at the time specified in paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this AD, as applicable. Note 3: Inspections accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-32A286, Revision 02, dated October 2, 1997, are considered acceptable for compliance with paragraph (a) of this AD. (1) For MLG shock strut cylinders that, as of the effective date of this AD, have accumulated less than 1,200 landings since accomplishment of the brake line hydraulic restrictor installation: Inspect within 1,200 landings after the effective date of this AD. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,200 landings for a total of 4 inspections. (2) For MLG shock strut cylinders that, as of the effective date of this AD, have accumulated greater than or equal to 1,200 landings and less than 2,400 landings since accomplishment of the brake line hydraulic restrictor installation: Inspect within 1,200 landings after the effective date of this AD. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,200 landings for a total of 3 inspections. (3) For MLG shock strut cylinders that, as of the effective date of this AD, have accumulated greater than or equal to 2,400 landings since accomplishment of the brake line hydraulic restrictor installation: Inspect within 1,200 landings after the effective date of this AD. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,200 landings for a total of 2 inspections. Corrective Actions (b) If any cracking is detected during any inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, accomplish either paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-32A286, Revision 03, dated May 28, 1998. (1) Replace the shock strut cylinder with a crack-free serviceable part and, thereafter, repeat the inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD, at the time specified in paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this AD, as applicable. Or (2) Replace the shock strut cylinder with a new shock strut cylinder. Accomplishment of the replacement constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD. Note 4: Replacements accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD80-32A286, Revision 02, dated October 2, 1997, are considered acceptable for compliance with paragraph (b) of this AD. Spares (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install on any airplane an MLG shock strut cylinder or MLG assembly unless that part has been inspected and found to be crack free, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service MD80-32A286, Revision 02, dated October 2, 1997, or Revision 03, dated May 28, 1998. Alternative Methods of Compliance (d)(1) 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 5: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO. (d)(2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in accordance with AD 95-22-06, amendment 39-9413, are approved as alternative methods of compliance with this AD. 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 MD80-32A286, Revision 03, dated May 28, 1998. 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: Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport [[Page 13333]] 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (g) This amendment becomes effective on April 22, 1999. Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 9, 1999. Darrell M. Pederson, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 99-6216 Filed 3-17-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U