Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-30 Series Airplanes Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate ST00054SE

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 11, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36150-36152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17154]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-231-AD; Amendment 39-12313; AD 2001-13-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-30 Series 
Airplanes Modified by Supplemental Type Certificate ST00054SE

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-30 series airplanes 
modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00054SE, that 
requires removal of the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system installed 
by that STC. This action is necessary to prevent inability of the 
flight crew to remove power from the IFE system when necessary. 
Inability to remove

[[Page 36151]]

power from the IFE system during a non-normal or emergency situation 
could result in inability to control smoke or fumes in the airplane 
flight deck or cabin. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 15, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The information referenced in this AD may be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen S. Oshiro, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056; telephone (425) 227-2793; fax (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-
30 series airplanes modified by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
ST00054SE was published in the Federal Register on March 2, 2001 (66 FR 
13189). That action proposed to require removal of the in-flight 
entertainment (IFE) system installed by that STC.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    As explained in the proposed rule, the STC holder has informed the 
FAA that the subject IFE system has been removed from all affected 
McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-30 series airplanes modified by STC 
ST00054SE. Therefore, the FAA expects that there will be no future cost 
impact on U.S. operators as a result of the adoption of this rule.
    However, if an airplane subject to this AD is identified, the FAA 
estimates that removal of the IFE system will take approximately 12 
work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD on an affected 
airplane is estimated to be $720 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on information that 
the subject IFE system has been removed from all affected airplanes. 
The cost impact figures discussed in most AD actions are based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 
requirements, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in 
the future if the AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures 
discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to 
perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2001-14-03  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12313. Docket 2000-NM-
231-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-10-30 series airplanes modified by 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00054SE, certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the inability of flight crew to remove power from the 
in-flight entertainment (IFE) system when necessary; which, during a 
non-normal or emergency situation, could result in inability to 
control smoke or fumes in the airplane flight deck or cabin; 
accomplish the following:

Removal of IFE System

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, remove 
the IFE system installed by STC ST00054SE by a method approved by 
the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For a 
removal method to be approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO, as 
required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must 
specifically reference this AD.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an IFE system by STC ST00054SE on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO. Operators shall submit 
their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Seattle ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a

[[Page 36152]]

location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 15, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 29, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-17154 Filed 7-10-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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