Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-50 Series Airplanes; Model DC-8F-54 and DC-8F-55 Airplanes; Model DC-8-60 Series Airplanes; Model DC-8-60F Series Airplanes; Model DC-8-70 Series Airplanes; and Model DC-8-70F Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 8, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15841-15842]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7791]



[[Page 15841]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1324; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-101-AD; 
Amendment 39-15875; AD 2009-08-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-50 Series 
Airplanes; Model DC-8F-54 and DC-8F-55 Airplanes; Model DC-8-60 Series 
Airplanes; Model DC-8-60F Series Airplanes; Model DC-8-70 Series 
Airplanes; and Model DC-8-70F Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
McDonnell Douglas airplanes identified above. This AD requires revising 
the airplane flight manual to provide the flightcrew with procedures to 
preclude dry running of the fuel pumps. This AD results from fuel 
system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent pump inlet friction (i.e., overheating or sparking) when the 
fuel pumps are continually run as the center wing fuel tank becomes 
empty, and/or electrical arc burnthrough, which could result in a fuel 
tank fire or explosion.

DATES: This AD is effective May 13, 2009.

ADDRESSES: 

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 (telephone 800-647-5527) is the 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: William Bond, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5253; 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 
all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-50 series airplanes; Model DC-8F-54 
and DC-8F-55 airplanes; Model DC-8-60 series airplanes; Model DC-8-60F 
series airplanes; Model DC-8-70 series airplanes; and Model DC-8-70F 
series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
December 23, 2008 (73 FR 78678). That NPRM proposed to require revising 
the airplane flight manual to provide the flightcrew with procedures to 
preclude dry running of the fuel pumps.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

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

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 156 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per 
product to comply with this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-
hour. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the 
U.S. operators to be $12,480, or $80 per product.

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), 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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, 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 AD:

2009-08-02 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-15875. Docket No. FAA-
2008-1324; Directorate Identifier 2008-NM-101-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 13, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all McDonnell Douglas airplanes 
identified in Table 1 of this AD, certificated in any category.

                         Table 1--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Model
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) DC-8-51, DC-8-52, DC-8-53, and DC-8-55 airplanes.
(2) DC-8F-54 and DC-8F-55 airplanes.

[[Page 15842]]

 
(3) DC-8-61, DC-8-62, and DC-8-63 airplanes.
(4) DC-8-61F, DC-8-62F, and DC-8-63F airplanes.
(5) DC-8-71, DC-8-72, and DC-8-73 airplanes.
(6) DC-8-71F, DC-8-72F, and DC-8-73F airplanes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent pump inlet friction 
(i.e., overheating or sparking) when the fuel pumps are continually 
run as the center wing fuel tank becomes empty, and/or electrical 
arc burnthrough, which could result in a fuel tank fire or 
explosion.

Compliance

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

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision

    (f) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Certificate Limitations Section of the Boeing DC-8 AFM to 
include the following procedures that preclude dry running of fuel 
pumps and/or electrical arc burnthrough (this may be done by 
inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM):

    ``During level flight, the applicable alternate or center wing 
auxiliary tank boost pump switch must be placed in the OFF position 
no more than 5 minutes after the auto fill light is continuously 
illuminated.
    DO NOT reset any tripped fuel pump circuit breakers.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(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: William Bond, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion 
Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles ACO, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5253; 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 appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) None.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 30, 2009.
Steve Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-7791 Filed 4-7-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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