[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 207 (Thursday, October 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25846]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: October 27, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-NM-22-AD; Amendment 39-9050; AD 94-22-01]
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -10F, -30,
and -30F series airplanes, that currently requires inspections to
detect ice or snow accumulation on top of the fuselage and in the inlet
of the number 2 engine, and removal of ice and snow accumulation. This
amendment adds certain airplanes to the applicability of the rule and
limits the inspection requirement to only a certain group of airplanes.
This amendment is prompted by the development of improved fan blades on
certain engines and the identification of additional airplanes that are
subject to the unsafe condition. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to minimize damage to the number 2 engine due to ingestion of
ice and snow.
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 28, 1994.
ADDRESSES: Information related to this rule may be examined at the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate,
Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raymond Vakili, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-141L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long
Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-5262; fax (310) 988-
5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 75-04-11,
amendment 39-2094, which is applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model
DC-10-10, -10F, -30, and -30F series airplanes, was published in the
Federal Register on July 18, 1994 (59 FR 36375). The action proposed to
supersede AD 75-04-11, which currently requires inspections to detect
ice and snow accumulation on top of the fuselage and in the inlet of
the number 2 engine, and removal of ice and snow. The action proposed
to add Model DC-10-15 series airplanes to the applicability of the
rule, and to limit the inspection requirement to only a certain group
of airplanes.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
The commenter supports the proposed rule.
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.
There are approximately 379 McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -10F,
-30, -30F, and -15 series airplanes and Model KC-10A (military)
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA
estimates that 226 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this
AD. (Currently, there are no Model DC-10-15 series airplanes of U.S.
registry that will be affected by this AD.)
The inspections that were previously required by AD 75-04-11, and
retained in this AD take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $55
per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the
inspection requirement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $12,430, or
$55 per airplane, per inspection. This AD will only add the cost of
inspections for the operators of Model KC-10A (military) airplanes.
For operators of Model DC-10-10, -10F, -30, and -30F series
airplanes having all solid fan blades in the number 2 engine position,
the economic burden will be reduced since the previous requirement to
inspect these airplanes in accordance with the existing AD will be
eliminated by this AD. However, this does not relieve operators of the
responsibility to comply with the requirements of Secs. 91.527
(``Operating in icing conditions'') and 121.629 (``Operation in icing
conditions''--air carriers) of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
91.527 and 121.629).
The total 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 regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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, 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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-2094, and by
adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39-, to read as
follows:
94-22-01 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9050. Docket 94-NM-22-AD.
Supersedes AD 75-04-11, Amendment 39-2094.
Applicability: Model DC-10-10, -10F, -30, -30F, and -15 series
airplanes, and Model KC-10A (military) airplanes, on which the
number 2 engine is a General Electric Model CF6 series turbofan
engine having one or more gundrilled fan blades installed, including
but not limited to part numbers 9010M33 and 9137M39; certificated in
any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent possible damage to the number 2 engine due to
ingestion of ice and snow, accomplish the following:
(a) As of the effective date of this AD, prior to starting the
number 2 engine on any airplane that has been parked during icing
conditions (freezing rain, snow, sleet) for any period of time
during which ice or snow may have accumulated on the airplane in the
area of the number 2 engine, inspect to detect ice and snow
accumulation on top of the fuselage and in the inlet of the number 2
engine. If ice or snow accumulation is found, prior to further
flight, remove the ice or snow accumulation.
Note 1: Guidelines for inspection and safeguarding the aircraft
are contained in these documents:
Douglas All Operators Letter (AOL) 10-546, dated January 11, 1974
Douglas AOL 10-673, dated August 7, 1974
DC-10 Airplane Maintenance Manual, Chapter 12-31-01
(b) 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, Transport Airplane Directorate. 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.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 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.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on November 28, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 13, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-25846 Filed 10-26-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
