[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 13, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47043-47044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-17743]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0497; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-096-AD; 
Amendment 39-15629; AD 2008-16-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-61, DC-8-
61F, DC-8-63, DC-8-63F, DC-8-71F, and DC-8-73F Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-61, DC-8-61F, DC-8-63, DC-8-63F, DC-8-71F, 
and DC-8-73F airplanes. For certain airplanes, this AD requires non-
destructive testing (NDT) to detect cracks of the door jamb corners of 
the forward and aft service doors, and doing applicable related 
investigative and corrective actions. For certain other airplanes, this 
AD requires inspecting and repairing if necessary or replacing 
previously repaired door jamb corners with an applicable repair. This 
AD results from reports of numerous cases of cracks in the skin at the 
door jamb corners of the forward and aft service doors. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of door jamb corners of 
the forward and aft service doors, which could adversely affect the 
structural integrity of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective September 17, 2008.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 
17, 2008.

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

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon Mowery, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5322; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to 
certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-61, DC-8-61F, DC-8-63, DC-8-63F, 
DC-8-71F, and DC-8-73F airplanes. That NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on May 6, 2008 (73 FR 24887). For certain airplanes, 
that NPRM proposed to require non-destructive testing (NDT) to detect 
cracks of the door jamb corners of the forward and aft service doors, 
and doing applicable related investigative and corrective actions. For 
certain other airplanes, that NPRM proposed to require inspecting and 
repairing if necessary or replacing previously repaired door jamb 
corners with an applicable repair.

Comments

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

Conclusion

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

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 299 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 55 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The testing 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 the AD for U.S. operators is $4,400, or $80 per airplane, per 
testing cycle.

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

    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

[[Page 47044]]

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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2008-16-11 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-15629. Docket No. FAA-
2008-0497; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-096-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective September 17, 
2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) As specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, this AD affects 
certain requirements of AD 93-01-15, amendment 39-8469.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-61, DC-8-
61F, DC-8-63, DC-8-63F, DC-8-71F, and DC-8-73F airplanes, 
certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin DC8-53A082, dated February 6, 2007.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of numerous cases of cracks in 
the skin at the door jamb corners of forward and aft service doors. 
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of 
door jamb corners of the forward and aft service doors, which could 
adversely affect the structural integrity 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.

Testing, Inspecting, Repairing, and Related Investigative and 
Corrective Actions

    (f) At the applicable compliance time and repeat intervals 
listed in Tables 1 through 5 inclusive of paragraph 1.E., 
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC8-53A082, dated 
February 6, 2007; except where ``the service bulletin'' specifies a 
compliance time after the date on the service bulletin, this AD 
requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the 
effective date of this AD: Do the actions specified in paragraph 
(f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD, as applicable.
    (1) For airplanes identified as Group 1, Configurations 1 and 2, 
in the service bulletin: Do the testing and related investigative 
and corrective actions by accomplishing all the applicable actions 
specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of the service 
bulletin.
    (2) For airplanes identified as Group 1, Configuration 3, in the 
service bulletin: Inspect and repair discrepancies in accordance 
with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA.
    (3) For airplanes identified as Group 1, Configuration 4, in the 
service bulletin: Do the actions specified in paragraph (f)(3)(i) or 
(f)(3)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Repair door jamb corners of the service door using a method 
approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph 
(h) of this AD.
    (ii) Replace the previously repaired door jamb corners with an 
applicable repair in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of the service bulletin.

Compliance With Certain Requirements of AD 93-01-15

    (g) Accomplishment of the applicable actions required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD constitutes compliance with certain 
requirements of AD 93-01-15, as it pertains to the affected areas of 
principal structural elements 53.08.039 and 53.08.040 of McDonnell 
Douglas Report No. L26-011, ``DC-8 Supplemental Inspection Document 
(SID),'' dated December 1985.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO, 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.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an 
Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes 
Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized 
by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, to make those findings. For a 
repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification 
basis of the airplane and 14 CFR 25.571, Amendment 45, and the 
approval must specifically refer to this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC8-53A082, dated 
February 6, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the 
AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood 
Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service 
Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024).
    (3) You may review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 23, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-17743 Filed 8-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P