Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 Series Airplanes, and Model MD-88 Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas DC-9-81, -82, -83, and -87 series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes, that requires replacing the interface connectors of the cabin fluorescent lighting ballast in the wiring harness of the overhead stowage compartment with new connectors. In lieu of the required replacement, this AD requires adding interface seals to the existing interface connectors of the cabin fluorescent lighting ballast between certain stations and reidentifying the connector assemblies. This action is necessary to prevent electrical shorting and arcing due to the presence of water in the lighting ballast interface connectors, which could result in smoke in the main cabin. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.