[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 149 (Thursday, August 3, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43962-43964]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-12299]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-24780; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-069-AD;
Amendment 39-14703; AD 2006-16-03]
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,
and DC-10-40F Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain McDonnell Douglas airplanes, identified above. This AD requires
installing or replacing with improved parts, as applicable, the bonding
straps between the metallic frame of the fillet and the wing leading
edge ribs, on both the left and right sides of the airplane. This AD
results from fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are
issuing this AD to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel
tanks in the event of a severe lightning strike, which, in combination
with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and
consequent loss of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective September 7, 2006.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of September 7,
2006.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building,
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and
Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for service information
identified in this AD.
[[Page 43963]]
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:
Examining the Docket
You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain 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, and DC-10-40F airplanes. That NPRM was
published in the Federal Register on May 17, 2006 (71 FR 28619). That
NPRM proposed to require installing or replacing with improved parts,
as applicable, the bonding straps between the metallic frame of the
fillet and the wing leading edge ribs, on both the left and right
sides.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the
determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 457 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This AD will affect about 280 airplanes of U.S.
registry. The required actions will take between 9 and 17 work hours
per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required
parts will cost between $3,720 and $4,169 per airplane. Based on these
figures, the estimated cost of the AD is between $4,440 and $5,529 per
airplane, or between $1,243,200 and $1,548,120 for the U.S.-registered
fleet.
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 AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket. 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2006-16-03 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-14703. Docket No. FAA-
2006-24780; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-069-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective September 7, 2006.
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,
and DC-10-40F airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified
in the applicable service bulletin listed in Table 1 of this AD.
Table 1.--Service Bulletins
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service
Bulletin Revision level Date For airplanes with--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
53-109................................ 4 October 7, 1992................... Extended wing-to-fuselage fillets.
53-111................................ 3 August 24, 1992................... Conventional wing-to-fuselage fillets.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to reduce the potential of
ignition sources inside fuel tanks in the event of a severe
lightning strike, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors,
could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the
airplane.
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.
[[Page 43964]]
Installation or Replacement
(f) Within 7,500 flight hours or 60 months after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs earlier: Install or replace with
improved parts, as applicable, the bonding straps between the
metallic frame of the fillet and the wing leading edge ribs, on both
the left and right sides of the airplane, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service bulletin
identified in Table 1 of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g)(1) 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.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(h) You must use McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 53-
109, Revision 4, dated October 7, 1992; or McDonnell Douglas DC-10
Service Bulletin 53-111, Revision 3, dated August 24, 1992; as
applicable, to perform the actions that are required by this AD,
unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal
Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents
in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard,
Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service
Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for a copy of this service
information. You may review copies at the Docket Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet
at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 21, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-12299 Filed 8-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P