94-18195. Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 Series Airplanes and Model KC-10A (Military) Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 27, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page 0]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-18195]
    
    
    [[Page Unknown]]
    
    [Federal Register: July 27, 1994]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket Number 94-NM-70-AD]
    
     
    
    Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 Series 
    Airplanes and Model KC-10A (Military) Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
    
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    SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
    directive (AD) that is applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 
    series airplanes and KC-10A (military) airplanes. This proposal would 
    require modification of the fuel crossfeed dump shutoff system. This 
    proposal is prompted by an FAA determination that, in the event of a 
    failure of the number 2 bus tie relay and the subsequent loss of 
    electrical power source of the number 2 engine, an all-engine flameout 
    event could occur due to fuel starvation during or shortly after a fuel 
    dumping operation. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
    intended to prevent loss of the fuel crossfeed dump shutoff system due 
    to a failure of the number 2 DC bus electrical relay and the subsequent 
    loss of electrical power source of the number 2 engine.
    
    DATES: Comments must be received by September 19, 1994.
    
    ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
    Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
    Attention: Rules Docket Number 94-NM-70-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
    Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
    location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
    Federal holidays.
        The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
    obtained from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach, 
    California 90801-1771, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical 
    Administrative Support, Dept. L51, M.C. 2-98. This information may be 
    examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 90806-2425.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ray 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:
    
    Comments Invited
    
        Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
    proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
    they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
    and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
    communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
    specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
    proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
    light of the comments received.
        Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
    economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
    comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
    date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
    persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
    the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
        Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
    submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
    stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
    to Docket Number 94-NM-70-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
    returned to the commenter.
    
    Availability of NPRMs
    
        Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
    to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
    Docket Number 94-NM-70-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
    98055-4056.
    
    Discussion
    
        On October 1, 1992, the FAA issued AD 92-22-06, amendment 39-8392, 
    (57 FR 47570, October 19, 1992), applicable to all McDonnell Douglas 
    Model MD-11 airplanes, Model DC-10 series airplanes, and Model KC-10A 
    (military) airplanes. That AD requires revising the Airplane Flight 
    Manual (AFM) to include information to specify that electrical 
    malfunctions may render the automatic fuel dump termination feature 
    inoperative. That action was prompted by an incident in which the 
    automatic fuel crossfeed dump shutoff system became inoperative, and 
    fuel was dumped below the minimum allowable level. Dumping fuel below 
    the minimum allowable level could lead to an all-engine-out condition.
        Since issuance of that AD, an in-depth review has revealed that the 
    fuel dump shutoff system on Model DC-10 series airplanes and Model KC-
    10A airplanes is such that, in the event of a failure of the number 2 
    bus tie relay and the subsequent loss of electrical power source of the 
    number 2 engine, an all-engine flameout event could occur due to fuel 
    starvation during or shortly after fuel dumping operations. This 
    condition, if not corrected, could render the fuel crossfeed dump 
    shutoff system inoperable due to a failure of the number 2 DC bus 
    electrical relay and the subsequent loss of the number 2 electrical 
    power source.
        The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service 
    Bulletin 28-208, dated April 14, 1994, that describes procedures for 
    modification of the fuel crossfeed dump shutoff system. This 
    modification provides isolation of the engine fuel system, which 
    entails installation of new fuel relays and, for certain airplanes, 
    relocation of existing relays. Further, this modification also revises 
    the electrical wiring for the fuel crossfeed dump shutoff system to 
    provide redundant electrical power sources, which minimizes the 
    possibility of system loss in the event of a number 2 engine shutdown.
        Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
    exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
    proposed AD would require modification of the fuel crossfeed dump 
    shutoff system. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
    accordance with the service bulletin described previously. 
    Accomplishment of this modification will terminate the requirement 
    imposed by paragraph (b) of AD 92-22-06 to revise the FAA-approved AFM, 
    which cautioned that electrical malfunctions may render the automatic 
    fuel dump termination feature inoperative.
    
        [Note: On March 23, 1994, the FAA issued AD 94-07-07, amendment 
    39-8865 (59 FR 15853, April 5, 1994), applicable to certain Model 
    MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, to require a similar modification to 
    terminate the requirement imposed by paragraph (a) of AD 92-22-06.]
    
        There are approximately 425 Model DC-10 series airplanes and KC-10A 
    (military) airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The 
    FAA estimates that 221 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by 
    this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 9 work hours per 
    airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor 
    rate is $55 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately 
    $1,560 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of 
    the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $454,155, or 
    $2,055 per airplane.
        The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
    assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
    requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
    those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
        The regulations proposed herein would 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 
    proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
    the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
        For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
    regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
    Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
    Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
    and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
    regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
    Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.
    
    The Proposed Amendment
    
        Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
    Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
    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 adding the following new 
    airworthiness directive:
    
    McDonnell Douglas: Docket 94-NM-70-AD.
    
        Applicability: All Model DC-10 series airplanes and KC-10A 
    (military) airplanes, certificated in any category.
        Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
    previously.
        To prevent loss of the fuel dump system shutoff due to a failure 
    of the number 2 DC bus electrical relay and the subsequent loss of 
    electrical power source of the number 2 engine, accomplish the 
    following:
        (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
    the fuel crossfeed dump shutoff system in accordance with McDonnell 
    Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 28-208, dated April 14, 1994. 
    Accomplishment of the modification constitutes terminating action 
    for the revisions to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) required by 
    paragraph (b) of AD 92-22-06, amendment 39-8392.
        (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: 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.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 20, 1994.
    Darrell M. Pederson,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 94-18195 Filed 7-26-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
07/27/1994
Department:
Transportation Department
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Document Number:
94-18195
Dates:
Comments must be received by September 19, 1994.
Pages:
0-0 (1 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: July 27, 1994, Docket Number 94-NM-70-AD
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13