[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: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Revision sym shown on                       
        Page No.                    page             Date shown on page 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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