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

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 192 (Tuesday, October 5, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61352-61354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-24171]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0553; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-070-AD; 
Amendment 39-16448; AD 2010-20-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Corporation Model DC-
10-30, DC-10-30F, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, 
and MD-10-30F 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 
Model DC-10-30, DC-10-30F, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-
10-40F, and MD-10-30F airplanes. This AD requires doing a one-time 
inspection of the wire bundles to determine if wires touch the upper 
surface of the center upper auxiliary fuel tank, and marking the 
location if necessary; a one-time inspection for splices and damage of 
all wire bundles routed above the center upper auxiliary fuel tank; a 
one-time inspection for damage to the fuel vapor barrier seal and upper 
surface of the center upper auxiliary fuel tank; and corrective 
actions, if necessary. This AD also requires installing non-metallic 
barrier/shield sleeving to the wire harnesses, new clamps, new 
attaching hardware, and new extruded channels. This AD was prompted by 
fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this 
AD to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, 
which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel 
tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective November 9, 2010.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of November 9, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-
0001; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may 
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 425-227-1221.

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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is 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: 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:

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 Model DC-10-30, DC-10-30F, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-
10-40, DC-10-40F, and MD-10-30F airplanes. That NPRM was published in 
the Federal Register on June 28, 2010 (75 FR 36579). That NPRM proposed 
to require doing a one-time inspection of the wire bundles to determine 
if wires touch the upper surface of the center upper auxiliary fuel 
tank, and marking the location if necessary; a one-time inspection for 
splices and damage of all wire bundles routed above the center upper 
auxiliary fuel tank; a one-time inspection for damage to the fuel vapor 
barrier seal and upper surface of the center upper auxiliary fuel tank; 
and corrective actions, if necessary. That NPRM also proposed to 
require installing non-metallic barrier/shield sleeving to the wire 
harnesses, new clamps, new attaching hardware, and new extruded 
channels.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comment received. FedEx supports the 
NPRM.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 166 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                             Table--Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Number of
                                                   Average                   Cost per      U.S.-
    Inspection and installation     Work  hours   labor rate     Parts       product     registered   Fleet cost
                                                   per hour                              airplanes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group 1 Inspection................           16          $85           $0       $1,360           75     $102,000
Group 1 Installation..............          200           85       13,309       30,309           75    2,273,175
Group 2 Inspection................           16           85            0        1,360           58       78,880

[[Page 61353]]

 
Group 2 Installation..............          232           85       16,660       36,380           58    2,110,040
Group 3 Inspection................           16           85            0        1,360           18       24,480
Group 3 Installation..............          200           85       12,258       29,258           18      526,644
Group 4 Inspection................           16           85            0        1,360           15       20,400
Group 4 Installation..............          200           85       12,372       29,372           15      440,580
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2010-20-13 McDonnell Douglas Corporation: Amendment 39-16448; Docket 
No. FAA-2010-0553; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-070-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD is effective November 9, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Corporation Model DC-
10-30, DC-10-30F, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC10-40F, 
and MD-10-30F airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified 
in Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-28-244, dated February 25, 2010.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD 
to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, 
which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in 
fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Actions

    (g) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), and (g)(4) 
of this AD, as applicable, and do all applicable corrective actions, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin DC10-28-244, dated February 25, 2010, except as required by 
paragraph (h) of this AD. Do all applicable corrective actions 
before further flight.
    (1) Do a one-time general visual inspection of the wire bundles 
to determine if wires touch the upper surface of the center upper 
auxiliary fuel tank, and mark the location as applicable.
    (2) Do a one-time detailed inspection for splices and damage of 
all wire bundles between Stations Y = 1219.000 and Y = 1381.000 
between X = -40 to X = -90 (right side) and X = 15 to X = 85 (left 
side) above the center upper auxiliary fuel tank.
    (3) Do a one-time detailed inspection for damage (burn marks) on 
the upper surface of the center upper auxiliary fuel tank and to the 
fuel vapor barrier seal.
    (4) Install non-metallic barrier/shield sleeving to the wire 
harnesses, new clamps, new attaching hardware, and new extruded 
channels.
    (h) Where Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-28-244, dated February 
25, 2010, specifies to contact Boeing for repair instructions: 
Before further flight, repair the center upper auxiliary fuel tank 
using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (i) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion 
Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles ACO, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5262; fax (562) 
627-5210.
    (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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (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 the 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization

[[Page 61354]]

Designation Authorization (ODA) that 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 the approval must specifically refer to this AD.

Related Information

    (j) For more information about this AD, 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (k) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-28-244, dated 
February 25, 2010, 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 the service information specified in 
this AD under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-
0001; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, 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 September 16, 2010.
Robert D. Breneman,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-24171 Filed 10-4-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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