30534 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 93 / Friday, May 12, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

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:

2000–09–08 Boeing: Amendment 39–11717.

Docket 99–NM–242–AD.

Applicability: Model 747–100, –200,

747SP, and 747SR series airplanes;

certificated in any category; equipped with

Pratt & Whitney JT9D–7, –7A, –7F, and –7J

series engines.

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 (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 separation of the nose cowl

from the engine, which could cause collateral

damage to the airplane, and, possibly,

reduced controllability of the airplane,

accomplish the following:

One-Time Inspections and Rework

(a) Within 24 months after the effective

date of this AD, perform one-time detailed

visual and eddy current inspections to detect

cracking of the existing nose cowl mounting

flange, rework the nose cowl mounting flange

to increase the number of attachment fastener

holes from 37 to 67, and perform a one-time

eddy current inspection to detect cracking of

the new fastener holes in the reworked nose

cowl mounting flange, in accordance with

the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing

Service Bulletin 747–71–2290, dated March

18, 1999.

Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a

detailed visual 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 aides such as

mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used.

Surface cleaning and elaborate access

procedures may be required.’’

Corrective Action

(b) If any crack is found during any

inspection required by paragraph (a) of this

AD: Prior to further flight, repair in

accordance with a method approved by the

Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office

(ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.

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, Seattle

ACO. Operators shall submit their requests

through an appropriate FAA Principal

Maintenance Inspector, who may add

comments and then send it to the Manager,

Seattle ACO.

Note 3: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Seattle 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) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of

this AD, the actions shall be done in

accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin

747–71–2290, dated March 18, 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 Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707,

Seattle, Washington 98124–2207. Copies may

be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the Office of the Federal

Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite

700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

(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. 00–11545 Filed 5–11–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

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.

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,

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 93 / Friday, May 12, 2000 / Rules and Regulations 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.

§ 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

30536 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 93 / Friday, May 12, 2000 / Rules and Regulations

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 droplight, 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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99–NM–362–AD; Amendment

39–11719; AD 2000–09–10]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model

A300–600 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD),

applicable to certain Airbus Model

A300–600 series airplanes, that requires

modification of certain electrical looms

of the nose and main landing gear and

modification of the rotor shaft

attachment of the nose and main

landing gear tachometers. This

amendment is prompted by issuance of

mandatory continuing airworthiness

information by a foreign civil

airworthiness authority. The actions

specified by this AD are intended to

prevent erratic operation of the wheel

tachometers, which could result in

degradation of the braking performance,

and possible increased landing roll.

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 Airbus Industrie, 1 Rond Point

Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex,

France. 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 Office of the

Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Norman B. Martenson, Manager,

International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601

Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2110;

fax (425) 227–1149.

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 Airbus

Model A300–600 series airplanes was

published in the Federal Register on

February 24, 2000 (65 FR 9223). That

action proposed to require modification

of certain electrical looms of the nose

and main landing gear and modification

of the rotor shaft attachment of the nose

and main landing gear tachometers.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded

an opportunity to participate in the

making of this amendment. No

comments were submitted in response

to the proposal or the FAA’s

determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air

safety and the public interest require the

adoption of the rule as proposed.