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[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 194 (Thursday, October 7, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61989-61993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-25021]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0639; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-232-AD; 
Amendment 39-16463; AD 2010-21-03]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Corporation Model DC-
8-31, DC-8-32, DC-8-33, DC-8-41, DC-8-42, and DC-8-43 Airplanes; Model 
DC-8-50 Series Airplanes; Model DC-8F-54 and DC-8F-55 Airplanes; Model 
DC-8-60 Series Airplanes; Model DC-8-60F Series Airplanes; Model DC-8-
70 Series Airplanes; and Model DC-8-70F Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to all of the McDonnell Douglas Corporation airplanes 
identified above. The existing AD currently requires revising the 
maintenance program to incorporate new airworthiness limitations for 
fuel tank systems to satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 
requirements. This new AD adds requirements to revise the maintenance 
program to incorporate specific Critical Design Configuration Control 
Limitations (CDCCL) information and install fuel tank float switch in-
line fuses. This new AD also adds two Airworthiness Limitations 
inspections (ALIs). This AD results from a design review of the fuel 
tank systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential for 
ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, 
alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination 
with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and 
consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective November 12, 2010.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of November 12, 
2010.
    On May 27, 2008 (73 FR 21523, April 22, 2008), the Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain 
other publication listed in the AD.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-
0001; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.

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,

[[Page 61990]]

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5262; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that supersedes AD 2008-09-04, Amendment 
39-15484 (73 FR 21523, April 22, 2008). The existing AD applies to all 
Model DC-8-31, DC-8-32, DC-8-33, DC-8-41, DC-8-42, and DC-8-43 
airplanes; Model DC-8-50 series airplanes; Model DC-8F-54 and DC-8F-55 
airplanes; Model DC-8-60 series airplanes; Model DC-8-60F series 
airplanes; Model DC-8-70 series airplanes; and Model DC-8-70F series 
airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 25, 
2010 (75 FR 36298). That NPRM proposed to continue to require revising 
the maintenance program. That NPRM also proposed to add requirements to 
revise the maintenance program to incorporate specific Critical Design 
Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCL) information and install fuel 
tank float switch in-line fuses. That NPRM also proposed to add two 
Airworthiness Limitations inspections (ALIs).

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-
02K9030, Revision D, dated June 9, 2010. This service information does 
not add any additional work. We have revised paragraphs (j), (m), and 
(n) of this AD to refer to this report.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been received on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Change to Paragraph Reference

    We revised paragraph (l) of this AD to correct a typographical 
error that appeared in the NPRM. In paragraph (l) of the NPRM, we 
inadvertently referred to ``paragraph (k)'' instead of ``paragraph 
(j)'' of the AD. Paragraph (l) of this final rule correctly references 
paragraph (j) of this AD.

Explanation of Additional Change to NPRM

    We also clarified the airplanes affected by paragraph (k) of this 
AD by referring to the airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 
DC8-28-090, dated October 9, 2009. Airplanes not listed in the 
effectivity of Boeing Service Bulletin DC8-28-090, dated October 9, 
2009, are not required to do the installation required by paragraph (k) 
of this AD.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
changes mentioned previously.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 125 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Average                                     Number of U.S.-
               Action                       Work hours         labor rate   Parts      Cost per airplane      registered             Fleet cost
                                                                per hour                                       airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revising the Maintenance Program      1.....................          $85       $0  $85...................             125  $10,625.
 (required by AD 2008-09-04).
Revising the Airworthiness            1.....................           85        0  $85...................             125  $10,625.
 Limitation Section (new action).
Installing fuses (new action).......  Up to 35 hours........           85        0  Up to $2,975..........             125  Up to $371,875.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    We have determined that 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 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

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.

[[Page 61991]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
removing Amendment 39-15484 (73 FR 21523, April 22, 2008) and by adding 
the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2010-21-03 McDonnell Douglas Corporation: Amendment 39-16463. Docket 
No. FAA-2010-0639; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-232-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective November 12, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-09-04, Amendment 39-15484.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-31, DC-
8-32, DC-8-33, DC-8-41, DC-8-42, and DC-8-43 airplanes; Model DC-8-
51, DC-8-52, DC-8-53, and DC-8-55 airplanes; Model DC-8F-54 and DC-
8F-55 airplanes; Model DC-8-61, DC-8-62, and DC-8-63 airplanes; 
Model DC-8-61F, DC-8-62F, and DC-8-63F airplanes; Model DC-8-71, DC-
8-72, and DC-8-73 airplanes; and Model DC-8-71F, DC-8-72F, and DC-8-
73F airplanes; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator 
maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with 
these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes 
that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the 
areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able 
to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this 
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must 
request approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in 
accordance with paragraph (o) of this AD. The request should include 
a description of changes to the required inspections that will 
ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank 
systems. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to 
prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused 
by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, 
which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a 
fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

Compliance

    (f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2008-09-04, With Revised Compliance 
Method

Revise the Maintenance Program

    (g) Before December 16, 2008, revise the maintenance program to 
incorporate the information specified in Appendixes B, C, and D of 
the Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K9030, 
Revision A, dated August 8, 2006.

No Reporting Requirement

    (h) Although the Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, 
MDC-02K9030, Revision A, dated August 8, 2006, specifies to submit 
certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require 
that action.

No Alternative Inspections, Inspection Intervals, or Critical Design 
Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs)

    (i) Except as provided by paragraph (m) of this AD, after 
accomplishing the applicable actions specified in paragraph (g) of 
this AD, no alternative inspections, inspection intervals, or CDCCLs 
may be used unless the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are 
approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in 
paragraph (o) of this AD.

New Requirements of This AD

Revise the Maintenance Program

    (j) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the maintenance program to incorporate the information required by 
paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) of this AD.
    (1) CDCCL 20-10, ``DC-8 Float Switch Circuit'' in Appendix B of 
Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K9030, Revision C, 
dated January 5, 2010; or Revision D, dated June 9, 2010.
    (2) ALI 30-1 ``DC-8 Pneumatic System Decay Check'' in Appendix C 
of Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K9030, Revision 
C, dated January 5, 2010; or Revision D, dated June 9, 2010.
    (3) ALI 28-1, ``DC-8 Alternate and Center Auxiliary Tank Fuel 
Pump Control Systems Check,'' in Appendix C of Boeing DC-8 Special 
Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K9030, Revision C, dated January 5, 
2010; or Revision D, dated June 9, 2010.

Install the In-Line Fuses

    (k) For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin DC8-28-
090, dated October 9, 2009: Within 60 months after the effective 
date of this AD, install the fuel tank float switch in-line fuses in 
the leading edges of the front spars of the left and right wings, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin DC8-28-090, dated October 9, 2009.

No Alternative Inspections, Inspection Intervals, or Critical Design 
Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs)

    (l) After accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (j) 
of this AD, no alternative inspections, inspection intervals, or 
CDCCLs may be used unless the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are 
approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in 
paragraph (o) of this AD.
    (m) Revising the maintenance program to incorporate the 
information specified in Appendixes B, C, and D of the Boeing DC-8 
Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K9030, Revision B, dated July 
23, 2009; Revision C, dated January 5, 2010; or Revision D, dated 
June 9, 2010; is acceptable for compliance with the actions 
specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.

No Reporting Requirement

    (n) Although the Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, 
MDC-02K9030, Revision B, dated July 23, 2009; Revision C, dated 
January 5, 2010; and Revision D, dated June 9, 2010; specify to 
submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
require that action.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (o)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion 
Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5262; fax (562) 627-5210.
    (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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (p) You must use the applicable service information contained in 
Table 1 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the 
AD specifies otherwise.

                                 Table 1--All Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Document                               Revision                               Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item     A..................................  August 8, 2006.
 Report, MDC-02K9030.
Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item     B..................................  July 23, 2009.
 Report, MDC-02K9030.
Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item     C..................................  January 5, 2010.
 Report, MDC-02K9030.
Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item     D..................................  June 9, 2010.
 Report, MDC-02K9030.

[[Page 61992]]

 
Boeing Service Bulletin DC8-28-090....  Original...........................  October 9, 2009.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K9030, 
Revision B, dated July 23, 2009, contains the following effective 
pages:

                                             List of Effective Pages
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Page title/description            Page number(s)        Revision number          Date shown on Page(s)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Report Title Page.................  None shown...........  B....................  July 23, 2009.
Index of Page Changes.............  ii, iii..............  B....................  None shown.*
Table of Contents.................  iv, v................  B....................  None shown.*
Discussion........................  1....................  New..................  None shown.*
Appendix A........................  A1-A4................  New..................  None shown.*
Appendix B........................  B1, B3, B4, B6-B12...  New..................  None shown.*
                                    B2, B5, B13-B24......  B....................  None shown.*
Appendix C........................  C1-C5................  New..................  None shown.*
                                    C6-C10...............  B....................  None shown.*
Appendix D........................  D1...................  New..................  None shown.*
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K9030, 
Revision C, dated January 5, 2010, contains the following effective 
pages:

                                             List of Effective Pages
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Page title/description            Page number(s)        Revision number          Date shown on page(s)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Report Title Page.................  None shown...........  C....................  January 5, 2010.
Index of Page Changes.............  ii, iii..............  C....................  None shown.*
Table of Contents.................  iv, v................  C....................  None shown.*
Discussion........................  1....................  C....................  None shown.*
Appendix A........................  A1-A3................  New..................  None shown.*
                                    A4-A25...............  C....................  None shown.*
Appendix B........................  B1, B3, B4, B6-B12...  New..................  None shown.*
                                    B2, B5, B13-B24......  B....................  None shown.*
Appendix C........................  C1-C5................  New..................  None shown.*
                                    C6-C10...............  B....................  None shown.*
                                    C11-C14..............  C....................  None shown.*
Appendix D........................  D1...................  New..................  None shown.*
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K9030, 
Revision D, dated June 9, 2010, contains the following effective 
pages:

                                             List of Effective Pages
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Page title/description            Page number(s)        Revision number          Date shown on page(s)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Report Title Page.................  None shown...........  D....................  June 9, 2010.
Attachment A......................  None shown...........  None shown...........  June 22, 2010.
Index of Page Changes.............  ii...................  B....................  None shown.*
                                    iii..................  C....................  None shown.*
Table of Contents.................  iv, v................  C....................  None shown.*
Discussion........................  1....................  C....................  None shown.*
Appendix A........................  A1-A3................  New..................  None shown.*
                                    A4-A25...............  C....................  None shown.*
Appendix B........................  B1, B3, B6, B7, B9,    New..................  None shown.*
                                     B12.
                                    B2, B13-B24..........  B....................  None shown.*
                                    B4, B5, B8, B10, B11.  D....................  None shown.*
Appendix C........................  C1-C5................  New..................  None shown.*
                                    C6-C10...............  B....................  None shown.*
                                    C11-C14..............  C....................  None shown.*
Appendix D........................  D1...................  New..................  None shown.*
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 61993]]

    (* The revision date of these documents is shown only on the 
title page of these documents.)
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information contained in 
Table 2 of this AD under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

                                 Table 2--New Material Incorporated By Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Document                               Revision                               Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item     B..................................  July 23, 2009.
 Report, MDC-02K9030.
Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item     C..................................  January 5, 2010.
 Report, MDC-02K9030.
Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item     D..................................  June 9, 2010.
 Report, MDC-02K9030.
Boeing Service Bulletin DC8-28-090....  Original...........................  October 9, 2009.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item 
Report, MDC-02K9030, Revision A, dated August 8, 2006, on May 27, 
2008 (73 FR 21523, April 22, 2008).
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-
0001; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (5) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference 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 September 23, 2010.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-25021 Filed 10-6-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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