Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -10F, -15, -30, -30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), -40, and -40F Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 12, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64117-64119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30199]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-98-AD; Amendment 39-12540; AD 2001-24-23]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -10F, 
-15, -30, -30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), -40, and -40F Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -10F, -15, -30, 
-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), -40, and -40F series airplanes, that requires 
modification of the battery ground cable installation in the center 
accessory compartment (CAC). The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent a loose ground stud and/or cable attachments, and 
consequent chafing of adjacent structure and electrical arcing, which 
could result in smoke/fire in the CAC in the event of fuel leakage. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective January 16, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 16, 2002.

[[Page 64118]]


ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data 
and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). This information may 
be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Natalie Phan-Tran, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5343; fax (562) 627-5210.

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 certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -15, -30, -30F 
(KC-10A and KDC-10), and -40 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on July 23, 2001 (66 FR 38193). That action proposed 
to require modification of the battery ground cable installation in the 
center accessory compartment.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Request To Withdraw Proposed AD

    The commenters object to the proposed AD as being unnecessary. One 
operator, having operated affected airplanes for 29 years, reports that 
the subject battery ground stud and cable installations have been 
inspected numerous times during this period in accordance with the FAA-
approved DC-10 maintenance program. This operator notes that there has 
been no history of arcing due to loosening of the ground stud and cable 
attachments. The commenter adds that any deterioration related to 
arcing would have been identified and corrected by the maintenance 
program.
    The FAA does not concur with the request to withdraw the proposed 
AD. The FAA acknowledges that Model DC-10 series airplanes have an 
extensive life of service and that numerous inspections have been 
performed as part of the FAA-approved DC-10 maintenance program. (All 
operators are required to maintain their airplanes in accordance with 
an FAA-approved maintenance program as required for continued 
airworthiness.) However, the FAA finds that the subject inspections of 
the maintenance program do not adequately address certain in-service 
difficulties and thus do not adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition. Therefore, the FAA has determined that the proposed rule is 
appropriate and warranted.

Request To Extend Compliance Time

    In lieu of withdrawal of the proposed AD, the commenters request an 
extension of the proposed compliance time. The commenters state that 
the extensive in-service history concerning the subject area supports 
an extension of the compliance time. In addition, the commenters assert 
that the proposed actions would be best accommodated during planned 
multiple-day maintenance visits within a compliance time of 18 months.
    The FAA does not concur. Due to the degree of urgency associated 
with addressing the subject unsafe condition, an 18-month compliance 
time would not provide an adequate level of safety. Therefore, no 
change to the final rule is necessary in this regard.

Request To Revise Cost Estimate

    The commenters disagree with the proposed AD's estimate of 2 work 
hours required for the modification. The commenters estimate that the 
modification would take 9.5 work hours.
    The FAA has reconsidered the amount of time necessary to accomplish 
the modification and has increased its estimate to 5 work hours per 
airplane. The cost impact section of this final rule has been revised 
accordingly.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

    The FAA finds that Model DC-10-10F, -30F, and -40F series airplanes 
were not specifically identified by model in the applicability of the 
proposed AD; however, they were identified by manufacturer's fuselage 
numbers in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A174, dated 
June 29, 2001 (which was referenced in the applicability statement of 
the proposed AD for the identification of the specific affected 
airplanes). Therefore, the FAA has revised the applicability throughout 
the final rule to include Model DC-10-10F, -30F, and -40F series 
airplanes.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously 
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
significantly increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase 
the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 402 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 312 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $2,282 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $805,584, or 
$2,582 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD, 
and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if 
this 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

[[Page 64119]]

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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

2001-24-23  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12540. Docket 2001-NM-
98-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-10-10, -10F, -15, -30, -30F (KC-10A and 
KDC-10), -40, and -40F series airplanes; as listed in McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A174, dated June 29, 2001; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
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 (b) 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 a loose ground stud and/or cable attachments, and 
consequent chafing of adjacent structure and electrical arcing, 
which could result in smoke/fire in the center accessory compartment 
(CAC) in the event of fuel leakage, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the battery ground cable installation in the CAC per McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A174, dated June 29, 2001.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

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

Special Flight Permit

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A174, dated June 29, 2001. 
This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, 
Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 
90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-
0024). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 16, 2002.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 28, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30199 Filed 12-11-01; 8:45 am]
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