[Federal Register: August 13, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 157)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 47043-47044]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13au08-7]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0497; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-096-AD;
Amendment 39-15629; AD 2008-16-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-61, DC-8-
61F, DC-8-63, DC-8-63F, DC-8-71F, and DC-8-73F Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-61, DC-8-61F, DC-8-63, DC-8-63F, DC-8-71F,
and DC-8-73F airplanes. For certain airplanes, this AD requires non-
destructive testing (NDT) to detect cracks of the door jamb corners of
the forward and aft service doors, and doing applicable related
investigative and corrective actions. For certain other airplanes, this
AD requires inspecting and repairing if necessary or replacing
previously repaired door jamb corners with an applicable repair. This
AD results from reports of numerous cases of cracks in the skin at the
door jamb corners of the forward and aft service doors. We are issuing
this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of door jamb corners of
the forward and aft service doors, which could adversely affect the
structural integrity of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective September 17, 2008.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September
17, 2008.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon Mowery, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137;
telephone (562) 627-5322; fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to
certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-61, DC-8-61F, DC-8-63, DC-8-63F,
DC-8-71F, and DC-8-73F airplanes. That NPRM was published in the
Federal Register on May 6, 2008 (73 FR 24887). For certain airplanes,
that NPRM proposed to require non-destructive testing (NDT) to detect
cracks of the door jamb corners of the forward and aft service doors,
and doing applicable related investigative and corrective actions. For
certain other airplanes, that NPRM proposed to require inspecting and
repairing if necessary or replacing previously repaired door jamb
corners with an applicable repair.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
There are about 299 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 55 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The testing takes 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 AD for U.S. operators is $4,400, or $80 per airplane, per
testing cycle.
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
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
[[Page 47044]]
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.
You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of
compliance in the AD Docket.
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 FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2008-16-11 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-15629. Docket No. FAA-
2008-0497; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-096-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 17,
2008.
Affected ADs
(b) As specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, this AD affects
certain requirements of AD 93-01-15, amendment 39-8469.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-61, DC-8-
61F, DC-8-63, DC-8-63F, DC-8-71F, and DC-8-73F airplanes,
certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin DC8-53A082, dated February 6, 2007.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from reports of numerous cases of cracks in
the skin at the door jamb corners of forward and aft service doors.
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of
door jamb corners of the forward and aft service doors, which could
adversely affect the structural integrity 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.
Testing, Inspecting, Repairing, and Related Investigative and
Corrective Actions
(f) At the applicable compliance time and repeat intervals
listed in Tables 1 through 5 inclusive of paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC8-53A082, dated
February 6, 2007; except where ``the service bulletin'' specifies a
compliance time after the date on the service bulletin, this AD
requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the
effective date of this AD: Do the actions specified in paragraph
(f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD, as applicable.
(1) For airplanes identified as Group 1, Configurations 1 and 2,
in the service bulletin: Do the testing and related investigative
and corrective actions by accomplishing all the applicable actions
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of the service
bulletin.
(2) For airplanes identified as Group 1, Configuration 3, in the
service bulletin: Inspect and repair discrepancies in accordance
with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA.
(3) For airplanes identified as Group 1, Configuration 4, in the
service bulletin: Do the actions specified in paragraph (f)(3)(i) or
(f)(3)(ii) of this AD.
(i) Repair door jamb corners of the service door using a method
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph
(h) of this AD.
(ii) Replace the previously repaired door jamb corners with an
applicable repair in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions
of the service bulletin.
Compliance With Certain Requirements of AD 93-01-15
(g) Accomplishment of the applicable actions required by
paragraph (f) of this AD constitutes compliance with certain
requirements of AD 93-01-15, as it pertains to the affected areas of
principal structural elements 53.08.039 and 53.08.040 of McDonnell
Douglas Report No. L26-011, ``DC-8 Supplemental Inspection Document
(SID),'' dated December 1985.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO, 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) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized
by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, to make those findings. For a
repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification
basis of the airplane and 14 CFR 25.571, Amendment 45, and the
approval must specifically refer to this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC8-53A082, dated
February 6, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the
AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this 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).
(3) You may review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference 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/code_of_federal_
regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 23, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-17743 Filed 8-12-08; 8:45 am]
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