Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 19 (Thursday, January 29, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4774-4776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00999]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0624; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-005-AD; 
Amendment 39-18072; AD 2015-02-05]
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 all The 
Boeing Company Model 717-200 airplanes; Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-
10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40 and DC-10-40F 
airplanes; Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes; Model DC-9-81 (MD-
81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes; 
Model MD-88 airplanes; and Model MD-90-30 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by reports of latent air data transducer degradation. This AD 
requires revising the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, 
to incorporate special compliance items (SCIs). We are issuing this AD 
to prevent erroneous air data information, which could lead to a mid-
air collision within reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) 
airspace.

DATES: This AD is effective March 5, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 5, 
2015.

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. 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-
0624; 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: Jeffrey W. Palmer, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 
90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5351; 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 all The Boeing Company 
Model 717-200 airplanes; Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, 
DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40 and DC-10-40F airplanes; Model 
MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes; Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-
82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes; Model MD-88 
airplanes; and Model MD-90-30 airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on September 12, 2014 (79 FR 54672). The NPRM was 
prompted by reports of latent air data transducer degradation. The NPRM 
proposed to require revising the maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to incorporate SCIs. We are issuing this AD to correct the 
unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comment received. Boeing stated that it 
concurred with the NPRM (79 FR 54672, September 12, 2014).

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 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 54672, September 12, 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 54672, September 12, 2014).

Related Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing Report No. MDC-02K1003, Trijet Special 
Compliance Item (SCI) Report 34-4, ``Functional Test of the Captain and 
First Officer's Altimeter,'' Revision K, dated February 1, 2013; and 
Boeing Report No. MDC-92K9145, Twinjet SCI Report 34-1--``Functional 
Test of the Captain and First Officer's Altimeter,'' Revision M, dated 
February 5, 2013. The service information describes procedures for a 
functional test of the captain and first officer's altimeters. You can 
find this information at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0624.

[[Page 4775]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 716 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maintenance or inspection program     1 work-hour x $85 per                $0              $85          $60,860
 revision.                             hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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):
2015-02-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18072; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0624; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-005-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 5, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all The Boeing Company airplanes identified 
in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD, certificated in 
any category.
    (1) The Boeing Company Model 717-200 airplanes.
    (2) The Boeing Company Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-
10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, and DC-10-40F 
airplanes; and Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes.
    (3) The Boeing Company Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), 
DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes; Model MD-88 
airplanes; and Model MD-90-30 airplanes.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 34, Navigation.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of latent air data transducer 
degradation. We are issuing this AD to prevent erroneous air data 
information, which could lead to a mid-air collision within reduced 
vertical separation minimum (RVSM) airspace.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Maintenance or Operations Program Revision

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating 
the information specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), or (g)(3) of 
this AD, as applicable. The initial compliance time for the tasks is 
within 18 months after the effective date of this AD.
    (1) For Model 717-200 airplanes; Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 
(MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), and DC-9-87 (MD-87) airplanes; Model MD-88 
airplanes; and Model MD-90-30 airplanes: Incorporate Special 
Compliance Item (SCI) 34-1, ``Functional Test of the Captain and 
First Officer's Altimeter, of Appendix A--``SCIs'' to Boeing Report 
No. MDC-92K9145, ``Twinjet Special Compliance Items Report,'' 
Revision M, dated February 5, 2013.
    (2) For Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F 
(KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40 and DC-10-40F airplanes: Incorporate 
SCI 34-4, ``Functional Test of the Captain and First Officer's 
Altimeter,'' of Appendix A--``SCIs'' to Boeing Report No. MDC-
02K1003, ``Trijet Special Compliance Item Report,'' Revision K, 
dated February 1, 2013.
    (3) For Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes: Incorporate SCI 
34-4, ``Functional Test of the Captain and First Officer's 
Altimeter, of Appendix A--``SCIs'' to Boeing Report No. MDC-02K1003, 
``Trijet Special Compliance Item Report,'' Revision K, dated 
February 1, 2013.

(h) No Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After accomplishment of the revision required by paragraph (g) 
of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals 
may be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the 
procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.

(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].

[[Page 4776]]

    (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 Jeffrey W. Palmer, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, Los 
Angeles ACO, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; 
phone: 562-627-5351; 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) Special Compliance Item (SCI) 34-4, ``Functional Test of the 
Captain and First Officer's Altimeter,'' of Appendix A--``SCIs,'' to 
Boeing Report No. MDC-02K1003, ``Trijet Special Compliance Item 
Report,'' Revision K, dated February 1, 2013. There is no page ``i'' 
identified in this document.
    (ii) Special Compliance Item (SCI) 34-1--``Functional Test of 
the Captain and First Officer's Altimeter,'' of Appendix A ``SCIs,'' 
to Boeing Report No. MDC-92K9145, Twinjet Special Compliance Item 
Report, Revision M, dated February 5, 2013.
    (3) For Boeing 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 referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 
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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 11, 2015.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-00999 Filed 1-28-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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