[Federal Register: June 5, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 107)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 30967-30968]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05jn07-5]
[[Page 30967]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-27334; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-279-AD;
Amendment 39-15080; AD 2007-12-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-33, -42,
and -43 Airplanes; Model DC-8-50 Series Airplanes; Model DC-8F-54 and -
55 Airplanes; Model DC-8-60 Series Airplanes; Model DC-8-60F Series
Airplanes; Model DC-8-72 Airplanes; and Model DC-8-70F Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain McDonnell Douglas airplanes described previously. This AD
requires installing bonding jumpers to the airplane wing structure from
the fuel system in-line electrical solenoid valves along the left and
right wing front spar. This AD results from fuel system reviews
conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent point-
of-contact arcing or filament heating damage in the fuel lines that
could create a potential ignition source, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could cause a fuel tank explosion and consequent
loss of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective July 10, 2007.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of July 10,
2007.
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.
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-8-33, -42, and -43 airplanes; Model DC-8-50 series
airplanes; Model DC-8F-54 and -55 airplanes; Model DC-8-60 series
airplanes; Model DC-8-60F series airplanes; Model DC-8-72 airplanes;
and Model DC-8-70F series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on February 26, 2007 (72 FR 8309). That NPRM proposed
to require installing bonding jumpers to the airplane wing structure
from the fuel system in-line electrical solenoid valves along the left
and right wing front spar.
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.
Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph
We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure
for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on
any airplane to which the AMOC applies.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the
change described previously. We have determined that this change will
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the
scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 216 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 145 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to
comply with this AD, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. The
total fleet cost is estimated to be between $456,460 and $1,018,770.
Estimated Costs
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Work Cost per
Airplane group hours Parts airplane
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1...................................... 8 $2,508 $3,148
2...................................... 9 4,237 4,957
3...................................... 10 6,226 7,026
4...................................... 8 4,473 5,113
5...................................... 6 3,674 4,154
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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 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.
[[Page 30968]]
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):
2007-12-02 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-15080. Docket No. FAA-
2007-27334; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-279-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective July 10, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-33, -42, and
-43 airplanes; Model DC-8-51, -52, -53, and -55 airplanes; Model DC-
8F-54 and -55 airplanes; Model DC-8-61, -62, and -63 airplanes;
Model DC-8-61F, -62F, and -63F airplanes; Model DC-8-72 airplanes;
and Model DC-8-71F, -72F, and -73F airplanes; certificated in any
category; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin DC8-28-091, dated
November 7, 2006.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent point-of-contact
arcing or filament heating damage in the fuel lines that could
create a potential ignition source, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could cause a fuel tank explosion 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.
Installation of Bonding Jumpers
(f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD,
install bonding jumpers to the airplane wing structure from the fuel
system in-line electrical solenoid valves along the left and right
wing front spar, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions
of Boeing Service Bulletin DC8-28-091, dated November 7, 2006.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19.
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local
FSDO.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(h) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin DC8-28-091, dated
November 7, 2006, 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 this document 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
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html
.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 25, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-10669 Filed 6-4-07; 8:45 am]
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