01-21495. Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 and MD-10 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 and MD-10 series airplanes, that requires an inspection of the one phase remote control circuit breakers (RCCB) in the main avionics compartment and center accessory compartment to determine their part numbers and serial numbers, and replacement of RCCB's with certain RCCB's, if necessary. This action is necessary to ensure that defective braze joints of certain latch assemblies of the RCCB are not installed on the airplane. Defective braze joints could fail and prevent the RCCB from tripping during an overload condition, which could result in a fire and smoke in certain wire bundles that are routed to and from the main avionics compartment or center accessory compartment. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective October 3, 2001.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of October 3, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Natalie Phan-Tran, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 and MD-10 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 29, 2000 (65 FR 71074). That action proposed to require an inspection of the one phase remote control circuit breakers (RCCB) in the main avionics compartment and center accessory compartment to determine their part numbers and serial numbers, and replacement of RCCB's with certain RCCB's, if necessary.

Comments Received

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comments received.

Concur With the NPRM

Two commenters concur with the intent and requirements of the NPRM.

Request To Revise the Compliance Time

One commenter, an operator, requests that the compliance time for the “on-condition” replacement of the RCCB be revised from “prior to further flight” to “replacement before compliance date.” The commenter notes that, before the proposed inspection is performed, the extent of the problem is unknown, and it would be hard for the operators to procure sufficient RCCB's. The commenter concludes that such an extension of the compliance time would prevent possible grounding of airplanes.

The FAA does not concur that the compliance time for the “on-condition” replacement should be revised. We acknowledge the commenter's concern about the availability of replacement RCCB's; however, the manufacturer has advised us that adequate parts for the replacement of RCCB's are available. Therefore, no change in this regard is necessary to the final rule.

Conclusion

After careful review of the available data, including the comments noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 446 Model DC-10 and MD-10 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 312 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $112,320, or $360 per airplane.

The 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 cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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
• Incorporation by reference
• 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2001-17-22 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12413. Docket 2000-NM-149-AD.

Applicability: Model DC-10 and MD-10 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A164, dated June 22, 2000; certificated in any category.

Note 1:

This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent fire and smoke in certain wire bundles that are routed to and from the main avionics compartment or center accessory compartment, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Replacement, if Necessary

(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time general visual inspection of the one phase remote control circuit breakers (RCCB) in the main avionics compartment and center accessory compartment to determine the part numbers and serial numbers (identified in Table 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin), in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A164, dated June 22, 2000.

Note 2:

For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is defined as “A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.”

(1) If any RCCB has a part number listed in Table 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin and the corresponding serial number is NOT identified in that table, no further action is required by this AD.

(2) If any RCCB has a part number listed in Table 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin and the corresponding serial number is identified in that table, before further flight, replace the RCCB with a RCCB having the same part number with a serial number that is NOT identified in Table 2, in accordance with the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(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. 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 3:

Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

Special Flight Permit

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with §§ 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.

Incorporation by Reference

(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A164, dated June 22, 2000. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

(e) This amendment becomes effective on October 3, 2001.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 20, 2001.

Vi L. Lipski,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.