[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 33 (Thursday, February 17, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-2412]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: February 17, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-NM-112-AD; Amendment 39-8815; AD 94-03-08]
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 Series
Airplanes and Model KC-10A (Military) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive
(AD), applicable to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 series airplanes and
Model KC-10A (military) airplanes, that currently requires certain
structural modifications and inspections. This amendment requires
additional structural modifications and inspections. This amendment is
prompted by an evaluation by the Model DC-10 Task Group, which
identified additional modifications for mandatory action. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent degradation in the
structural capabilities of the affected airplanes. This action also
reflects the FAA's decision that long-term continued operational safety
should be assured by actual modification of the airframe, where
feasible, rather than only repetitive inspections for known service
problems.
DATES: Effective March 21, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC-
K1571, ``DC-10/KC-10 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements
Document,'' Revision B, dated March 24, 1993, as listed in the
regulations, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of
March 21, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC-
K1571, ``DC-10/KC-10 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements
Document,'' Revision A, dated February 28, 1990, as listed in the
regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal
Register as of September 10, 1990 (55 FR 31816, August 6, 1990).
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach,
California 90801-1771, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical
Publications--Technical Administrative Support, C1-L5B. 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, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street,
Long Beach, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maureen Moreland, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ANM-121L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long
Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-5238; fax (310) 988-
5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations by superseding AD 90-16-04, Amendment 39-6613 (55
FR 31816, August 6, 1990), which is applicable to McDonnell Douglas
Model DC-10 series airplanes and Model KC-10A (military) airplanes, was
published in the Federal Register on October 12, 1993 (58 FR 52717).
The action proposed to supersede AD 90-16-04 to require additional
structural modifications and inspections.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the two comments received.
The commenters support the proposed rule.
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 as proposed.
There are approximately 426 Model DC-10 series airplanes and Model
KC-10A (military) airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide
fleet.
The FAA estimates that 194 airplanes of U.S. registry were
originally affected by AD 90-16-04. The requirements of that AD were
estimated to take approximately 360 work hours at a current average
labor rate of $55 per work hour. The cost for required modification
kits was estimated to be $9,600 per airplane. Based on these figures,
the FAA estimated that the total cost impact of AD 90-16-04 on U.S.
operators would be $5,703,600, or $29,400 per airplane, over the
initial 4-year time period. (These figures do not include the cost of
downtime, planning, set-up, familiarization, or tool acquisition.)
The FAA estimates that a total of 269 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by the new requirements specified in this AD. This
increase in the number of affected airplanes is due to various reasons,
including transfer of ownership and the fact that additional airplanes
have accumulated time-in-service since the issuance of AD 90-16-04 and
have now reached the threshold for modification/inspection. The new
additional requirements contained in this AD action will take
approximately 796 additional work hours per airplane to accomplish, at
an average labor rate of $55 per work hour. Required parts will cost an
additional $101,900 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total
additional cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$39,187,920, or $145,680 per airplane, over a 4-year time period.
(These figures do not include the cost of downtime, planning, set-up,
familiarization, and tool acquisition.)
The figures discussed above are based on the assumption that no
operator has yet accomplished the currently required or the newly
required requirements of this AD action. However, the FAA has been
advised that various modifications that are required by this AD have
previously been accomplished on many of the affected airplanes.
Therefore, the future total cost impact of this AD is less that the
figure shown.
Additional airplanes will be affected as they accumulate time-in-
service and reach the threshold for modification/inspection.
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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 14 CFR part
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-6613 (55 FR
31816, August 6, 1990), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39-8815, to read as follows:
94-03-08 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-8815. Docket 93-NM-112-AD.
Supersedes AD 90-16-04, Amendment 39-6613.
Applicability: Model DC-10-10, -10F, -15, -30, -30F, -40, and -
40F series airplanes and Model KC-10A (military) airplanes,
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
Note 1: Paragraphs (a) and (c) of this AD restate the
requirements for an initial inspection and the repetitive
inspections contained in paragraphs A. and C. of AD 90-16-04.
Therefore, for operators who have previously accomplished at least
the initial inspection in accordance with AD 90-16-04, paragraphs
(a) and (c) of this AD require that the next scheduled inspection be
performed within the specified repetitive inspection interval after
the last inspection performed in accordance with paragraphs A. and
C. of AD 90-16-04.
Note 2: Paragraphs (b) and (d) of this AD restate the
modification requirements of paragraphs B. and D. of AD 90-16-04. As
allowed by the phrase, ``unless accomplished previously,'' if the
requirements of paragraphs B. and D. of AD 90-16-04 have been
accomplished previously, paragraphs (b) and (d) of this AD do not
require that they be repeated.
To prevent structural failure, accomplish the following:
(a) For service bulletins other than those identified in
paragraph (c) of this AD, within the threshold for inspections
specified in the service bulletins listed in Table 2.1 of McDonnell
Douglas Report No. MDC-K1571, ``DC-10/KC-10 Aging Aircraft Service
Action Requirements Document,'' Revision A, dated February 28, 1990
(hereafter referred to as the ``SARD, Revision A''), or Revision B,
dated March 24, 1993 (hereafter referred to as the ``SARD, Revision
B''), or within one repetitive inspection period specified in those
service bulletins after September 10, 1990 (the effective date of AD
90-16-04, Amendment 39-6613), whichever occurs later, inspect for
cracks in accordance with those service bulletins. Repeat these
inspections thereafter at the intervals specified in the service
bulletins listed in Table 2.1 of the SARD, Revision A or Revision B.
(1) If any crack is found as a result of any inspection, prior
to further flight, either accomplish the terminating modification in
accordance with the applicable service bulletin, or repair in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate.
Note 3: Detection of any discrepancies other than cracking
necessitates appropriate corrective action in accordance with the
provisions of part 43 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR).
(2) Modification in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD
terminates the individual inspection requirements of the applicable
service bulletin.
(b) For service bulletins other than those identified in
paragraph (c) of this AD, prior to reaching the incorporation
thresholds listed in the SARD, Revision A or Revision B, or prior to
four years after September 10, 1990, whichever occurs later,
accomplish the structural modifications specified in the service
bulletins listed under ``S/B No. Rev.'' in Table 2.1 of the SARD,
Revision A or Revision B.
Note 4: The service bulletin revision levels listed under
``Recommended Modification'' in Table 2.1 of the SARD, Revision B,
are acceptable revisions for modifications accomplished prior to
September 10, 1990.
Note 5: The modifications required by this paragraph do not
terminate the inspection requirements of any other AD unless that AD
specifies that any such modification constitutes terminating action
for the inspection requirements.
(c) For McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletins A30-37, 30-38, 53-
16, 53-19, 53-25, 54-11, 54-27, 54-33, 55-2, and 57-7, listed in
Table 2.1 of the SARD, Revision A; and for McDonnell Douglas Service
Bulletins A30-37, 30-38, 53-16, 53-19, 53-25, 54-11, 54-27, 55-2,
and 57-7, listed in Table 2.1 of the SARD, Revision B: Within the
threshold for inspections listed under ``S/B Change Required'' in
Table 2.1 of the SARD, Revision A or Revision B, or within one
repetitive inspection period specified under ``S/B Change Required''
in Table 2.1 of the SARD, Revision A or Revision B, after September
10, 1990, whichever occurs later, inspect for cracks in accordance
with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
Repeat these inspections thereafter at the intervals specified under
``S/B Change Required'' in Table 2.1 of the SARD, Revision A or
Revision B.
(1) If any crack is found during any inspection, prior to
further flight, either accomplish the terminating modification in
accordance with the applicable service bulletin, or repair in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO,
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
(2) Modification in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD
terminates the individual inspection requirements of the applicable
service bulletin.
(d) Prior to four years after September 10, 1990, accomplish the
structural modifications stipulated in the service bulletins
specified in paragraph (c) of this AD.
(e) Within the threshold for inspections specified in the
service bulletins listed in Table 2.2 of the SARD, Revision B, or
within one repetitive inspection period specified in those service
bulletins after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later, inspect for cracks in accordance with those service
bulletins. Repeat these inspections thereafter at the intervals
specified in the service bulletins listed in Table 2.2 of the SARD,
Revision B.
(1) If any crack is found during any inspection, prior to
further flight, either accomplish the terminating modification in
accordance with the applicable service bulletin, or repair in
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO,
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.
(2) Modification in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD
terminates the individual inspection requirements of the applicable
service bulletin.
(f) Prior to reaching the incorporation thresholds listed in the
SARD, Revision B, or within four years after the effective date of
this AD, whichever occurs later, accomplish the structural
modifications specified in the service bulletins listed in Table 2.2
of the SARD, Revision B.
Note 6: The service bulletin revision levels listed under
``Recommended Modification'' in Table 2.2 of the SARD, Revision B,
are acceptable revisions for modifications accomplished prior to the
effective date of this AD.
Note 7: The modifications required by this paragraph do not
terminate the inspection requirements of any other AD unless that AD
specifies that any such modification constitutes terminating action
for the inspection requirements.
(g) 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 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 8: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
(h) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR
21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(i) The inspections, and modification shall be done in
accordance with McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC-K1571, ``DC-10/KC-
10 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements Document,'' Revision
A, dated February 28, 1990; or McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC
K1571, ``DC-10/KC-10 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements
Document'', Revision B, dated March 24, 1993, which contains the
following list of effective pages:
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Revision sym shown on
Page No. page Date shown on page
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Pages xiii and xiv-..... (Not shown on these March 24, 1993.
pages).
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The incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC
K1571, ``DC-10/KC-10 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements
Document'', Revision B, dated March 24, 1993, is approved by the
Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and
1 CFR part 51. The incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas
Report No. MDC-K1571, ``DC-10/KC-10 Aging Aircraft Service Action
Requirements Document,'' Revision A, dated February 28, 1990, was
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register in
accordance 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of September 10, 1990
(55 FR 31816, August 6, 1990). Copies may be obtained from McDonnell
Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach, California 90801-1771,
Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical Publications--Technical
Administrative Support, C1-L5B. 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, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach,
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(j) This amendment becomes effective on March 21, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 28, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-2412 Filed 2-16-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U