[Federal Register: March 22, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 54)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 14432-14434]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22mr05-12]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20662; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-191-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-
10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40,
DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F Airplanes; and Model MD-11 and MD-
11F Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain McDonnell Douglas airplanes. This proposed AD would require
a general visual inspection for damage to the Firex discharge pipes and
wye assembly of the number 2 engine fire extinguishing system; and
corrective and other specified actions, as applicable. This proposed AD
is prompted by reports of freezing damage to the Firex discharge pipes
and wye assembly of the number 2 engine, and one report of a level 1
ENG FIRE AGENT LO alert during flight. We are proposing this AD to
prevent accumulation of water in the discharge pipes and possible
consequent freezing damage to the discharge pipes and wye assembly,
which could lead to failure of the fire extinguishing system during a
fire in the number 2 engine.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 6, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide Rulemaking Web Site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed 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).
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401,
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket
number is FAA-2005-20662; the directorate identifier for this docket is
2004-NM-191-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137;
telephone (562) 627-5262; fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20662;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-191-AD'' in the subject line
[[Page 14433]]
of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. We will consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
We have received reports of damage to the Firex discharge pipes and
wye assembly of the number 2 engine of two McDonnell Douglas Model DC-
10-30F airplanes, and one report of a level 1 ENG FIRE AGENT LO alert
during flight on a Model DC-10-30F airplane. We have also received
reports of accumulated water being discovered in the Firex discharge
pipes of one Model DC-10-10F airplane and two Model MD-11F airplanes.
Investigation revealed that water can collect and remain in the
discharge pipes. This condition, if not corrected, could result in
freezing and ice damage to the discharge pipes and wye assembly, and
consequent failure of the fire extinguishing system during a fire in
the number 2 engine.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-26A060, dated
July 20, 2004 (for Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes), and Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin DC10-26A065, dated August 19, 2004 (for Model DC-10-
10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-
10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F airplanes). The service
bulletins describe procedures for performing a visual inspection for
leaks, bulges, ruptures, or other damage to the Firex discharge pipes
or wye assembly; and corrective actions and other specified actions, as
applicable. Corrective actions include replacing the discharge pipes
with new discharge pipes; and, if necessary, replacing the wye assembly
with a new wye assembly. Other specified actions include modifying and
reidentifying undamaged discharge pipes. Accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information is intended to adequately address
the unsafe condition.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which
would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously.
Clarification of Inspection Terminology
Although the Boeing service bulletins contain instructions to
``visually examine'' the discharge pipes and wye assembly, this
proposed AD would require a ``general visual inspection.'' We have
defined this type of inspection in Note 1 of this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 530 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The following tables provide the estimated costs for
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD. The proposed actions
would be performed at an estimated average labor rate of $65 per work
hour.
Inspection Costs for All Airplanes
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Number of
Cost per U.S.-
Action Work hours airplane registered Fleet cost
airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.............................................. 1 $65 343 $22,295
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Replacement Costs for Model MD-11 and MD-11F Airplanes
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Number of
Cost per U.S.-
Action Work hours Parts cost airplane registered Fleet cost
airplanes
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Replace discharge pipe.................... 2 $7,170 $7,300 195 $1,423,500
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Replacement Costs for DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-
40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F Airplanes
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Number of
Cost per U.S.-
Group Action Work hours Parts cost airplane registered Fleet cost
airplanes
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1............................ Replace 2 $7,170 $7,300 231 $1,686,300
discharge pipe.
[[Page 14434]]
2............................ Replace 2 8,794 8,924 16 142,784
discharge pipe.
3............................ Replace 2 7,170 7,300 11 80,300
discharge pipe.
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Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
McDonnell Douglas: Docket No. FAA-2005-20662; Directorate Identifier
2004-NM-191-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by May 6, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-10-
10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40,
DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F airplanes as identified in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-26A065, dated August 19, 2004;
and Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin MD11-26A060, dated July 20, 2004; certificated in
any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of freezing damage to the
Firex discharge pipes and wye assembly of the number 2 engine, and
one report of a level 1 ENG FIRE AGENT LO alert during flight. We
are issuing this AD to prevent accumulation of water in the
discharge pipes and possible consequent freezing damage to the
discharge pipes and wye assembly, which could lead to failure of the
fire extinguishing system during a fire in the number 2 engine.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Inspection and Corrective and Other Specified Actions
(f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
perform a general visual inspection for damage to the Firex
discharge pipes and wye assembly of the fire extinguishing system of
the number 2 engine, and corrective and other specified actions; by
doing all the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-26A060, dated July 20, 2004
(for Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes); or Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin DC10-26A065, dated August 19, 2004 (for Model DC-10-10, DC-
10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40,
DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F airplanes); as applicable. Do
the corrective and other specified actions, as applicable, prior to
further flight.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection
is: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area,
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or
irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching
distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to
ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This
level of inspection is made under normally available lighting
conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or
droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain
proximity to the area being checked.''
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 9, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5574 Filed 3-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P