Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 208 (Tuesday, October 28, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64082-64084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25013]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0423; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-233-AD; 
Amendment 39-17997; AD 2014-21-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company 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 
The Boeing Company Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-
10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) 
indicating that the forward cargo compartment frames are subject to 
widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires an inspection of the 
attachment holes at the forward cargo compartment frames and the cargo 
liner for cracking, and repair if necessary. This AD would also require 
installing new oversized fasteners in the forward cargo compartment 
frames. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the 
forward cargo compartment frames, which could result in loss of the 
fail-safe structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective December 2, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 2, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, CA 90846-0001; 
telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356. 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0423; 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 Docket 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: Nenita Odesa, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM 120L, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 
562-627-5234; fax: 562-627-5210; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company 
Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-
10-40, MD 10-10F, and MD-10-30F airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on June 30, 2014 (79 FR 36669). The NPRM was prompted 
by an evaluation by the DAH indicating that the forward cargo 
compartment frames are subject to WFD. The NPRM proposed to require an 
inspection of the attachment holes at the forward cargo compartment 
frames and the cargo liner for cracking, and repair if necessary. The 
NPRM also proposed to require installing new oversized fasteners in the 
forward cargo compartment frames. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
fatigue cracking of the forward cargo compartment frames, which could 
result in loss of the fail-safe structural integrity of the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comment received. Boeing supported the 
NPRM (79 FR 36669, June 30, 2014).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 36669, June 30, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 36669, June 30, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 25 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection......................  Up to 19 work-      $0................  Up to $1,615......  Up to $40,375.
                                   hours x $85 per
                                   hour = $1,615.
Modification....................  Up to 6 work-hours  Up to $801........  Up to $1,311......  Up to $32,775.
                                   x $85 per hour =
                                   $510.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 64083]]

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
cost estimates for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.

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

    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):

2014-21-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17997 ; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0423; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-233-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 2, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, 
DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, MD-10-10F, and 
MD-10-30F airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in 
Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-53-182, dated June 28, 2013.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval 
holder (DAH) indicating that the forward cargo compartment frames 
are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). We are issuing this 
AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the forward cargo compartment 
frames, which could result in loss of the fail-safe structural 
integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection

    Prior to the accumulation of 30,000 total flight cycles, or 
within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later: Do a high frequency eddy current inspection for 
cracking of the attachment holes at the forward cargo compartment 
frames and the cargo liner, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-53-182, dated June 28, 
2013. If any crack is found, before further flight, repair using a 
method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in 
paragraph (i) of this AD.

(h) Installation of New Fasteners

    If no cracking is found during the inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD: Before further flight, install new 
oversized fasteners to attach the forward cargo liner to the forward 
cargo compartment frame, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-53-182, dated June 28, 
2013.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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. In accordance 
with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or 
local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.
    (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 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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Nenita Odesa, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM 120L, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
CA 90712 4137; phone: 562-627-5234; fax: 562-627-5210; email: 
[email protected].

(k) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-53-182, dated June 28, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, CA 90846-0001; 
telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; Internet 
https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.


[[Page 64084]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 13, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-25013 Filed 10-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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