Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 81 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20918-20920]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9937]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-275-AD; Amendment 39-12196; AD 2001-08-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8 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-8 series airplanes, 
that requires replacing certain transformer ballast assemblies in the 
first officer's console and electrical power center with certain new, 
improved ballast assemblies. This action is necessary to prevent 
overheating of ballast transformers due to high power demands resulting 
from aging, which could result in smoke in the cockpit. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective May 31, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 31, 2001.

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.

[[Page 20919]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elvin Wheeler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5344; 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-8 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
September 1, 2000 (65 FR 53205). That action proposed to require 
replacing certain transformer ballast assemblies in the first officer's 
console and electrical power center with certain new, improved ballast 
assemblies.

Comment Received

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received.
    One commenter requests that a grace period of 3 to 6 months be 
added to paragraph (b) of the proposed AD to allow existing spares of 
transformer ballast assemblies to be used while supplies of new spares 
are acquired. The commenter states that a compliance time of ``as of 
the effective date of this AD'' is too restrictive, and that the 
current lead time to get new replacement units is 8 weeks.
    The FAA does not agree. In the Material Information section of 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC8-33A070, dated November 1, 
1999, it states ``Parts will be available within 30 days after receipt 
of purchase order.'' Because the compliance time to accomplish the 
required replacement is 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
we find that operators have ample time to receive spare parts, even if 
the lead time is 8 weeks instead of the 30 days indicated in the 
referenced service bulletin.

Conclusion

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

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 289 Model DC-8 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 228 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 2 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 between $1,379 and $3,092 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be between $341,772 and $732,336, or $1,499 and $3,212 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 
action, 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 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:

2001-08-19  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12196. Docket 99-NM-275-
AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-8 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC8-33A070, dated November 
1, 1999; 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 (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 overheating of ballast transformers due to high power 
demands resulting from aging, which could result in smoke in the 
cockpit, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the transformer ballast assemblies from the first officer's 
console and electrical power center with new, improved transformer 
ballast assemblies, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert 
Service Bulletin DC8-33A070, dated November 1, 1999.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a transformer ballast assembly, part number BA170-1, BA170-11, 
BA170-21, BA170-MOD.B, or BA171-MOD.C, 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, 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199

[[Page 20920]]

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

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC8-33A070, dated November 1, 1999. 
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 90712; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on May 31, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 17, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-9937 Filed 4-25-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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