[Federal Register: June 5, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 107)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 31003-31005]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05jn07-19]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-28351; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-074-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11, MD-11F,
DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, and
MD-10-30F 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 MD-11, MD-11F, DC-10-30 and DC-10-
30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, and MD-10-30F airplanes.
This proposed AD would require measuring the electrical resistance of
the bond between the No. 2 fuel transfer pump adapter surface of the
fuel tank and the fuel transfer pump housing flange, and performing
corrective and other specified actions as applicable. This proposed AD
results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are proposing
this AD to prevent inadequate bonding between the No. 2 fuel transfer
pump adapter surface of the fuel tank and the fuel transfer pump
housing flange. Inadequate bonding could result in a potential ignition
source inside the fuel tank if the fuel transfer pump and structure
interface are not submerged in fuel, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and
consequent loss of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 20, 2007.
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: Serj Harutunian, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137;
telephone (562) 627-5254; 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-2007-
28351; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-074-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
The FAA has examined the underlying safety issues involved in fuel
tank explosions on several large transport airplanes, including the
adequacy of existing regulations, the service history of airplanes
subject to those regulations, and existing maintenance practices for
fuel tank systems. As a result of those findings, we issued a
regulation titled ``Transport Airplane Fuel Tank System Design Review,
Flammability Reduction and Maintenance and Inspection Requirements''
(66 FR 23086, May 7, 2001). In addition to new airworthiness standards
for transport airplanes and new maintenance requirements, this rule
included Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 (``SFAR 88,''
Amendment 21-78, and subsequent Amendments 21-82 and 21-83).
Among other actions, SFAR 88 requires certain type design (i.e.,
type certificate (TC) and supplemental type certificate (STC)) holders
to substantiate that their fuel tank systems can prevent ignition
sources in the fuel tanks. This requirement applies to type design
holders for large turbine-powered transport airplanes and for
subsequent modifications to those airplanes. It requires them to
perform design reviews and to develop design changes and maintenance
procedures if their designs do not meet the new fuel tank safety
standards. As explained in the preamble to the rule, we intended to
adopt airworthiness directives to mandate any
[[Page 31004]]
changes found necessary to address unsafe conditions identified as a
result of these reviews.
In evaluating these design reviews, we have established four
criteria intended to define the unsafe conditions associated with fuel
tank systems that require corrective actions. The percentage of
operating time during which fuel tanks are exposed to flammable
conditions is one of these criteria. The other three criteria address
the failure types under evaluation: Single failures, single failures in
combination with a latent condition(s), and in-service failure
experience. For all four criteria, the evaluations included
consideration of previous actions taken that may mitigate the need for
further action.
We have determined that the actions identified in this AD are
necessary to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel
tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result
in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.
Model DC-10 airplanes have a fuel boost pump and a fuel transfer
pump mounted to the fuel tank No. 2 lower skin. The instructions for
early DC-10s called out electrical bonding to structure on both fuel
transfer pump housings; however, a later drawing change did not call
out bonding for the fuel transfer pump housing. The same condition
exists on Model MD-11 airplanes. It is unknown whether there is an
adequate bond on these airplanes, and operators need to make that
determination. Inadequate bonding could result in a potential ignition
source inside the fuel tank if the fuel transfer pump and structure
interface are not submerged in fuel, which, in combination with
flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and
consequent loss of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletins DC10-28-250 and MD11-28-
129, both dated July 26, 2006. The service bulletins describe
procedures for measuring the electrical resistance between the No. 2
fuel transfer pump adapter surface of the fuel tank and the fuel
transfer pump housing flange, and performing corrective and other
specified actions as applicable. The corrective actions include
electrically bonding the fuel tank No. 2 fuel transfer pump access door
surfaces and fuel pump housing if the resistance measurement is more
than 2.5 milliohms. The other specified actions include an electrical
resistance bonding test to verify the electrical resistance between the
fuel transfer pump housing and the structure is 2.5 milliohms maximum.
For airplanes on which the electrical resistance is not achieved, the
procedures include reworking the electrical bond until that electrical
resistance is achieved. 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.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 573 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 399 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The proposed measurement would take about 1 work hour
per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators
is $31,920, or $80 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-2007-28351; Directorate Identifier
2007-NM-074-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 20,
2007.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11, MD-11F,
DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, and
MD-10-30F airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in
Boeing Service Bulletins DC10-28-250 and MD11-28-129, both dated
July 26, 2006.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank
systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadequate bonding
between the No. 2 fuel transfer pump adapter surface of the fuel
tank and the fuel transfer pump housing flange. Inadequate bonding
could result in a potential ignition source inside the fuel tank if
the fuel transfer pump and
[[Page 31005]]
structure interface are not submerged in fuel, which, in combination
with flammable fuel vapors, could result in 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.
Measure Electrical Resistance/Corrective & Other Specified Actions
(f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD:
Measure the electrical resistance of the bond between the No. 2 fuel
transfer pump adapter surface of the fuel tank and the fuel transfer
pump housing flange in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-28-250 or MD11-28-129,
both dated July 26, 2006, as applicable.
(1) If the resistance measurement is 2.5 milliohms or less: No
further action is required by this paragraph.
(2) If the resistance measurement is more than 2.5 milliohms:
Before further flight, electrically bond the fuel tank No. 2 fuel
transfer pump housing surfaces in accordance with the service
bulletin.
(3) Before further flight thereafter, do an electrical
resistance bonding test to verify the electrical resistance between
the fuel transfer pump housing and the structure is 2.5 milliohms
maximum. If that electrical resistance is not achieved, rework the
electrical bond until the electrical resistance is achieved. Do the
actions in accordance with the service bulletin.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office
(LAACO), 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 25, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-10756 Filed 6-4-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P