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[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 93 (Friday, May 12, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30534-30536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11544]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-212-AD; Amendment 39-11716; AD 2000-09-07]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -15, 
-30, -30F, and -40 Series Airplanes, and KC-10A (Military) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -15, -30, -30F, 
and -40 series airplanes, and KC-10A (military) airplanes, that 
requires a one-time general visual inspection of circuit breakers to 
determine the manufacturer of the circuit breakers, and corrective 
action, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by incidents of smoke 
and electrical odor in the flight compartment and cabin area as a 
result of failure of circuit breakers. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent internal overheating and arcing of circuit 
breakers and airplane wiring due to long-term use and breakdown of 
internal components of the circuit breakers, which could result in 
smoke and fire in the flight compartment and main cabin.

DATES: Effective June 16, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 16, 2000.

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: 
Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). 
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,

[[Page 30535]]

Transport Airplane Directorate, 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, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5343; 
fax (562) 627-5210.

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-10-10, -15, -30, -30F, and -40 series airplanes, and KC-10A 
(military) airplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 
26, 2000 (65 FR 4188). That action proposed to require a one-time 
general visual inspection of circuit breakers to determine the 
manufacturer of the circuit breakers, and corrective action, if 
necessary.

Comments

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

Support for the Proposed Rule

    Two commenters support the proposed rule.

Requests to Revise Compliance Times

    One commenter requests that the compliance time for accomplishing 
the one-time general visual inspection be extended from the proposed 18 
months to 26 months. The commenter states that such an extension will 
allow the inspection to be accomplished at a regularly scheduled 
maintenance visit. The commenter also states that the proposed 18-month 
compliance time would cause it to remove nine airplanes from service, 
which would cost $42,775 per airplane, per day.
    The FAA partially concurs. The FAA finds that the compliance times 
can be extended somewhat. Extending the compliance time by 6 additional 
months will not adversely affect safety, and will allow the inspection 
to be performed at a base during regularly scheduled maintenance where 
special equipment and trained maintenance personnel will be available 
if necessary. Paragraph (a) of the final rule has been revised to 
specify a compliance time of 24 months.
    Two commenters request that the compliance time for accomplishing 
the replacement of the circuit breaker be extended from the proposed 
``prior to further flight'' to ``at the next scheduled maintenance 
visit, but not later than 18 months after the effective date of this 
AD.'' One commenter states that if there is a large number of suspect 
circuit breakers found during the inspection, there may not be 
sufficient spares available to return the airplane to service. The 
commenter also states that the requested extension will give operators 
and maintenance organizations time to order and replace the circuit 
breakers. Another commenter states that, because the number of circuit 
breakers cannot be determined on each airplane without accomplishing 
the proposed inspection, it would be difficult for operators to pre-
order replacement units. As a result, airplanes could be grounded while 
waiting for parts.
    The FAA has confirmed the parts availability problem and, 
therefore, concurs with the commenters' request. The FAA has determined 
that replacement of the circuit breaker at the next scheduled 
maintenance visit, but not later than 24 months after the effective 
date of this AD will not adversely affect safety. The final rule has 
been revised accordingly.

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 with the changes previously 
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 412 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 300 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, it will take approximately 80 work hours 
per airplane to accomplish the required inspection of the circuit 
breakers (over 700 installed on each airplane), and that the average 
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,440,000, or 
$4,800 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.

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.

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

2000-09-07  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11716. Docket 99-NM-212-
AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-10-10, -15, -30, -30F, and -40 series 
airplanes, and KC-10A (military) airplanes, as listed in McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A161, dated October 29, 1999; 
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

[[Page 30536]]

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 (c) 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 internal overheating and arcing of circuit breakers 
and airplane wiring due to long-term use and breakdown of internal 
components of the circuit breakers, which could result in smoke and 
fire in the flight compartment and main cabin, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection and Replacement, if Necessary

    (a) Within 24 months after effective date of this AD: Perform a 
one-time general visual inspection of circuit breakers to determine 
the manufacturer of the circuit breaker in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A161, dated October 29, 1999.

    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 no Wood Electric Corporation or Wood Electric Division of 
Potter Brumfield Corporation circuit breaker is found, no further 
action is required by this paragraph.
    (2) If any Wood Electric Corporation or Wood Electric Division 
of Potter Brumfield Corporation circuit breaker is found, at the 
next scheduled maintenance visit, but not later than 24 months after 
the effective date of this AD, replace the circuit breaker with a 
new circuit breaker in accordance with the service bulletin.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall 
install, on any airplane, a circuit breaker, part number 104-205-
104, 104-210-104, 104-215-104, 104-220-104, 104-225-104, 104-230-
104, 104-235-104, 104-250-104, 447-205-102, 448-205-102, 505-205-
102, 506-205-102, 447-507-102, 448-507-102, 505-507-102, 506-507-
102, 447-210-102, 448-210-102, 505-210-102, 506-210-102, 447-215-
102, 448-215-102, 505-215-102, 506-215-102, 447-220-102, 448-220-
102, 505-220-102, 506-220-102, 447-225-102, 448-225-102, 505-225-
102, 506-225-102, 448-235-102, 505-235-102, 506-235-102.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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 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 Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 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

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A161, dated October 29, 1999. 
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: Technical Publications Business Administration, 
Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on June 16, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 3, 2000.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-11544 Filed 5-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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