E7-17829. Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11, MD-11F, DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, and MD-10-30F Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11, MD-11F, DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, and MD-10-30F airplanes. This AD requires measuring the electrical resistance of the bond between the No. 2 fuel transfer pump adapter surface of the fuel tank and the fuel transfer pump housing flange, and performing corrective and other specified actions as applicable. This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadequate bonding between the No. 2 fuel transfer pump adapter surface of the fuel tank and the fuel transfer pump housing flange. Inadequate bonding could result in a potential ignition source inside the fuel tank if the fuel transfer pump and structure interface are not submerged in fuel, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective October 17, 2007.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of October 17, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.

Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for service information identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Serj Harutunian, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Operations office (telephone [phone]) is located on the ground floor of the West Building at the DOT street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11, MD-11F, DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, and MD-10-30F airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 5, 2007 (72 FR 31003). That NPRM proposed to require measuring the electrical resistance of the bond between the No. 2 fuel transfer pump adapter surface of the fuel tank and the fuel transfer pump housing flange, and performing corrective and other specified actions as applicable.

Comments

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

Conclusion

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

Costs of Compliance

There are about 573 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 399 airplanes of U.S. registry. The required measurement takes about 1 work hour per airplane, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of this AD for U.S. operators is $31,920, or $80 per airplane.

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

We have determined that 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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

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

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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-19-02 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-15192. Docket No. FAA-2007-28351; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-074-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This AD becomes effective October 17, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11, MD-11F, DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, and MD-10-30F airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletins DC10-28-250 and MD11-28-129, both dated July 26, 2006.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadequate bonding between the No. 2 fuel transfer pump adapter surface of the fuel tank and the fuel transfer pump housing flange. Inadequate bonding could result in a potential ignition source inside the fuel tank if the fuel transfer pump and structure interface are not submerged in fuel, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Measure Electrical Resistance/Corrective & Other Specified Actions

(f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: Measure the electrical resistance of the bond between the No. 2 fuel transfer pump adapter surface of the fuel tank and the fuel transfer pump housing flange in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-28-250 or MD11-28-129, both dated July 26, 2006, as applicable.

(1) If the resistance measurement is 2.5 milliohms or less: No further action is required by this paragraph.

(2) If the resistance measurement is more than 2.5 milliohms: Before further flight, electrically bond the fuel tank No. 2 fuel transfer pump housing surfaces in accordance with the service bulletin.

(3) Before further flight thereafter, do an electrical resistance bonding test to verify the electrical resistance between the fuel transfer pump housing and the structure is 2.5 milliohms maximum. If that electrical resistance is not achieved, rework the electrical bond until the electrical resistance is achieved. Do the actions in accordance with the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(g)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(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) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-28-250, dated July 26, 2006; or Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-28-129, dated July 26, 2006; as applicable, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 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 August 31, 2007.

Stephen P. Boyd,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.