[Federal Register: November 13, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 218)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 63836-63838]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13no07-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2007-0186; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-226-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
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to revise an existing airworthiness directive
(AD) that applies 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. The existing AD currently 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 proposed
AD would revise the applicability to clarify the identity of the
affected airplanes. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews
conducted by the manufacturer. We are proposing 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: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 28,
2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, 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).
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.
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 send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-0186;
Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-226-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov
, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
On July 21, 2006, we issued AD 2006-16-03, amendment 39-14703 (71
FR 43962, August 3, 2006), for 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 AD requires installing or
replacing with improved parts, as applicable, the bonding straps
between the metallic
[[Page 63837]]
frame of the fillet and the wing leading edge ribs, on both the left
and right sides of the airplane. That AD resulted from fuel system
reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We issued that 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.
Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued
The applicability of AD 2006-16-03 does not specifically identify
Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes by model name. However, those
airplanes (converted from Model DC-10 series airplanes) are identified
by manufacturer's fuselage numbers in the effectivity listing of
McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletins 53-109, Revision 4, dated
October 7, 1992; and 53-111, Revision 3, dated August 24, 1992. And
those service bulletins were referenced in the applicability of AD
2006-16-03.
We have been informed that Boeing is considering revising the
service bulletins to, among other things, update the effectivity to
clarify the identity of the affected airplanes. If the service
bulletins are revised, we might consider approving each as a general
alternative method of compliance for the requirements of AD 2006-16-03.
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 revise AD 2006-16-03 and retain its requirements. This
proposed AD would clarify the applicability by specifically identifying
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes (converted
from Model DC-10 series airplanes) in addition to the airplane models
already identified in the AD.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 457 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 280 airplanes of
U.S. registry. The actions of this proposed AD would add no additional
economic burden to the existing requirements of AD 2006-16-03. The
current costs for this AD are repeated for the convenience of affected
operators, as follows:
The required actions take between 9 and 17 work hours per airplane,
at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Required parts 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 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 place 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
removing amendment 39-14703 (71 FR 43962, August 3, 2006) and adding
the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
McDonnell Douglas: Docket No. FAA-2007-0186; Directorate Identifier
2007-NM-226-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by December
28, 2007.
Affected ADs
(b) This AD revises AD 2006-16-03.
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, and MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes that
have been converted from Model DC-10 series airplanes; certificated
in any category; with manufacturer's fuselage numbers as identified
in the applicable service bulletin listed in Table 1 of this AD.
Table 1.--Service Bulletins
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McDonnell Douglas DC-10
Service Bulletin-- Revision-- Dated-- For airplanes with--
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53-109....................... 4 October 7, 1992 Extended wing-to-fuselage fillets.
53-111....................... 3 August 24, 1992 Conventional wing-to-fuselage fillets.
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[[Page 63838]]
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.
Installation or Replacement
(f) Within 7,500 flight hours or 60 months after September 7,
2006 (the effective date of AD 2006-16-03), 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
(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.
(3) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2006-16-03
are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 5, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-22090 Filed 11-9-07; 8:45 am]
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