[Federal Register: October 19, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 202)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 61690-61691]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19oc06-16]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 61690]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-26084; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-063-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-62, DC-8-
63, DC-8-62F, and DC-8-63F 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 Model DC-8-62, DC-8-63, DC-8-62F, and DC-
8-63F airplanes. This proposed AD would require revising the wiring for
the engine thrust brake circuit and indicating circuit and other
specified actions, or rerouting the wiring at plug P1-1762A on the
electrical power center generator control panel, as necessary. This
proposed AD results from the determination that the thrust reverser
systems on these airplanes do not adequately preclude inadvertent
deployment of the thrust reversers. We are proposing this AD to prevent
inadvertent deployment of the thrust reversers during takeoff or
landing, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 4,
2006.
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.
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.
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 the service
information identified in this proposed AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Bond, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137;
telephone (562) 627-5253; 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 in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2006-
26084; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-063-AD'' at the beginning 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 received 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 may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You may 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 Docket Management System
receives them.
Discussion
In April 1992, the FAA issued a document titled ``Criteria for
Assessing Transport Turbojet Fleet Thrust Reverser Safety.'' This
document is based upon the premise that no failure of thrust reverser
components anticipated to occur in service should prevent continued
safe flight and landing of an airplane. In order to comply with the
criteria in the document, Boeing recommends incorporating a wiring
modification of the thrust reverser system on McDonnell Douglas Model
DC-8-62, DC-8-63, DC-8-62F, and DC-8-63F airplanes. Based upon the
Boeing safety evaluations, we have determined that the existing thrust
reverser systems on these airplanes do not adequately preclude
inadvertent deployment of the thrust reversers. Inadvertent deployment
of the thrust reversers during takeoff or landing could result in loss
of control of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Service Bulletin 78-95,
Revision 2, dated March 10, 1971; and Revision 1, dated December 29,
1970. The service bulletins describe procedures for either revising the
wiring for the engine thrust brake circuit and indicating circuit and
doing other specified actions, or rerouting the wiring at plug P1-1762A
on the electrical power center (EPC) generator control panel, depending
on the configuration of the airplane. The other specified actions
include modifying and reidentifying a nameplate and accomplishing the
adjustment/test of the thrust reverser system. For certain airplanes,
the other specified actions also include installing a new bracket,
terminal boards, and clamps.
[[Page 61691]]
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. For this reason, we are proposing this AD,
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously, except as discussed under
``Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.''
Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin
Although the service bulletins do not recommend a compliance time
for accomplishing the modification, we have coordinated a compliance
time of 27 months with Boeing. In developing an appropriate compliance
time for this proposed AD, we considered not only the manufacturer's
recommendation, but the degree of urgency associated with addressing
the subject unsafe condition, the average utilization of the affected
fleet, and the time necessary to perform the modification. In light of
all of these factors, we find a compliance time of 27 months for
completing the required actions to be warranted, in that it represents
an appropriate interval of time for affected airplanes to continue to
operate without compromising safety.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 70 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 45 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take between 1 and 5 work
hours per airplane, depending on airplane configuration, at an average
labor rate of $80 per work hour. For a certain airplane configuration,
required parts would cost about $9 per airplane. For a certain other
airplane configuration, required parts would cost about $2,825 per
airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD
for U.S. operators is between $4,005 and $145,125, or between $89 and
$3,225 per airplane.
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 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, 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
McDonnell Douglas: Docket No. FAA-2006-26084; Directorate Identifier
2006-NM-063-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by December
4, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-62 and DC-8-
63 airplanes and Model DC-8-62F and DC-8-63F airplanes, certificated
in any category; as identified in McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Service
Bulletin 78-95, Revision 2, dated March 10, 1971.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from the determination that the thrust
reverser systems on McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-62, DC-8-63, Model
DC-8-62F, and DC-8-63F airplanes do not adequately preclude
inadvertent deployment of the thrust reversers. We are issuing this
AD to prevent inadvertent deployment of the thrust reversers during
takeoff or landing, which could result in loss of control 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.
Modification of Engine Thrust Brake Circuitry
(f) Within 27 months after the effective date of this AD, do the
applicable action specified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this
AD, by accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the
Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Service
Bulletin 78-95, Revision 2, dated March 10, 1971; or Revision 1,
dated December 29, 1970.
(1) Revise the wiring for the engine thrust brake circuit and
indicating circuit, and do all other specified actions before
further flight after revising the wiring.
(2) Reroute the wiring at plug P1-1762A on the electrical power
center generator control panel.
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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 10, 2006.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-17421 Filed 10-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P