[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 113 (Friday, June 12, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32154-32156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15675]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-73-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -15, 
-30, and -40 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
DC-10-10, -15, -30, and -40 series airplanes. This proposal would 
require installation of a new protector cap in all fuel tank boost/
transfer pump housings. This proposal is prompted by reports of 
inoperative fuel boost/transfer pumps due to arcing or burning of the 
electrical connector. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent damage to the fuel tank boost/transfer pump 
housings in case of an electrical connector malfunction, which could 
result in increased risk of a fuel tank explosion or fire.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 27, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-73-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from The Boeing Company, Douglas Products 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 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roscoe Van Dyke, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5254; fax (562) 
627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice

[[Page 32155]]

must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following 
statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 98-NM-73-AD.'' The 
postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 98-NM-73-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    As part of its long-term, continued operational safety program, the 
FAA has been conducting an ongoing, comprehensive review of large 
transport category airplanes with respect to designs and service 
histories associated with fuel tank-related problems. In particular, 
the FAA is focusing on all potential fuel tank ignition sources.
    While some of the more recent investigations have focused on 
electrical power wiring in the fuel tanks, this proposed AD focuses on 
the electrical connectors inside the pump housings and the associated 
damage to the fuel pump housings that can be created when arcing occurs 
between pins on worn connectors.
    The FAA has reviewed past reports of inoperative fuel boost/
transfer pumps on McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 series airplanes. Some 
of the failures have been attributed to arcing or burning of the 
electrical connectors of these pumps, which, in some cases, resulted in 
damage to the fuel pump housings. The pump electrical connector is 
located inside the pump housing, which is located in the fuel tank. If 
the arcing burns through the pump housing, it could ignite fuel vapors. 
(No reports of burn-throughs of the housing have been received, 
however.)
    Based on this review, the FAA has determined that installation of a 
protector cap in all fuel pump housings is necessary to prevent the 
possibility of damage to the pump housing in case of an electrical 
connector malfunction. This condition, if not corrected, could result 
in increased risk of a fuel tank explosion or fire.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service 
Bulletin 28-97, dated May 10, 1982, and Revision 1, dated October 8, 
1985, which describes procedures for installation of a new protector 
cap in all fuel tank boost/transfer pump housings. Accomplishment of 
the action specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately 
address the identified unsafe condition.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 188 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 151 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD.
    For airplanes identified as Group I in the referenced service 
bulletin, it would take approximately 12 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the proposed modification, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $3,400 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification 
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators of Group I airplanes is estimated 
to be $4,120 per airplane.
    For airplanes identified as Group II in the referenced service 
bulletin, it would take approximately 15 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the proposed modification, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $4,100 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification 
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators of Group II airplanes is 
estimated to be $5,000 per airplane.
    For airplanes identified as Group III in the referenced service 
bulletin, it would take approximately 17 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the proposed modification, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $4,800 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification 
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators of Group III airplanes is 
estimated to be $5,820 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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 proposed herein would not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules 
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 98-NM-73-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-10-10, -15, -30, and -40 series 
airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 28-
97, Revision 1, dated October 8, 1985; 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

[[Page 32156]]

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 damage to the fuel tank boost/transfer pump housings 
in case of an electrical connector malfunction, which could result 
in increased risk of a fuel tank explosion or fire, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install a new protector cap in all fuel tank boost/transfer pump 
housings in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 
28-97, dated May 10, 1982, or Revision 1, dated October 8, 1985.
    (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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 5, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15675 Filed 6-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U