[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 96 (Wednesday, May 17, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31253-31255]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-11950]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-213-AD; Amendment 39-11727; AD 2000-10-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 series airplanes, that 
requires a one-time detailed visual inspection to determine if wire 
segments of the wire bundle routed through the feed through on the aft 
side of the flight engineer's station are damaged or chafed, and 
corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by a 
report of smoke coming out of the flight engineer's upper right circuit 
breaker panel, which was followed by circuit breakers popping and the 
panel lights going out. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
to prevent chafing of the wire bundle located behind the flight 
engineer's panel caused by the wire bundle coming in contact with the 
lower edge of the feed through and consequent electrical arcing, which 
could result in smoke and fire in the cockpit.

DATES: Effective June 21, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 21, 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),

[[Page 31254]]

Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington; or at 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.

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 all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 26, 
2000 (65 FR 4186). That action proposed to require a one-time detailed 
visual inspection to determine if wire segments of the wire bundle 
routed through the feed through on the aft side of the flight 
engineer's station are damaged or chafed, and corrective actions, 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.
    One commenter supports the proposed rule. Another commenter 
supports the proposed rule and indicates that it is in the process of 
accomplishing the subject inspection. A third commenter supports the 
proposed rule and indicates that it has completed the subject 
inspection.

Explanation of Change Made

    Paragraph (a) of this AD has been changed to correct a 
typographical error that resulted in a reference to an incorrect alert 
service bulletin revision date. That paragraph references ``McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A149, Revision 01, dated May 6, 
1999,'' as the appropriate source of service information for 
accomplishment of the inspection required by paragraph (a) of the 
proposed AD. This AD references the appropriate alert service bulletin 
as ``McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A149, Revision 01, 
dated July 28, 1999.''

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 change 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, that it will take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the required actions, 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 $18,000, or 
$60 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:

2000-10-03 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11727. Docket 99-NM-213-
AD.
    Applicability: All Model DC-10 series airplanes, 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 chafing of the wire bundle located behind the flight 
engineer's panel caused by the wire bundle coming in contact with 
the lower edge of the feed through and consequent electrical arcing, 
which could result in smoke and fire in the cockpit, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, perform a 
one-time detailed visual inspection to determine if the wire 
segments of the wire bundle routed through the feed through on the 
aft side of the flight engineer's station are damaged or chafed, in 
accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-
24A149, Revision 01, dated July 28, 1999.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''


[[Page 31255]]



Corrective Actions

    (1) For airplanes identified as Group 1 in the alert service 
bulletin: Accomplish paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (a)(1)(ii) of this AD, 
as applicable.
    (i) If no damaged or chafed wire is found, no further action is 
required by this AD.
    (ii) If any damaged or chafed wire is found, prior to further 
flight, repair in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
    (2) For airplanes identified as Group 2 in the alert service 
bulletin: Accomplish paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this AD, 
as applicable.
    (i) If no damaged or chafed wire is found, within 1 year after 
the effective date of this AD, revise the wire bundle support clamp 
installation at the flight engineer's station in accordance with the 
alert service bulletin.
    (ii) If any damaged or chafed wire is found, prior to further 
flight, repair the wiring, and revise the wire bundle support clamp 
installation at the flight engineer's station, in accordance with 
the alert 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, 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

    (c) 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

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A149, Revision 01, dated July 
28, 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 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 21, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 8, 2000.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 00-11950 Filed 5-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U