[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-6069]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 16, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-163-AD; Amendment 39-8857; AD 94-06-10]

 

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8 series airplanes, 
that currently requires the incorporation of specific maximum brake 
wear limits into the maintenance inspection program. That action was 
prompted by an accident in which a transport category airplane executed 
a rejected takeoff (RTO) and was unable to stop on the runway due to 
worn brakes. The actions specified by that AD are intended to prevent 
loss of braking effectiveness during a high energy RTO. This amendment 
requires that a new part number be permanently marked on certain brakes 
when modified to meet the new brake wear limits.

DATES: Effective April 15, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Information concerning this amendment may be obtained from 
or 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Gfrerer, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-131L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East 
Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-
5338; fax (310) 988-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations by superseding AD 93-09-10, Amendment 39-8576 (58 
FR 29347, May 20, 1993), which is applicable to all McDonnell Douglas 
Model DC-8 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on 
December 22, 1993 (58 FR 67723). That action proposed to require that a 
new part number be permanently marked on certain brakes when modified 
to meet the new brake wear limits.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the three comments received.
    All 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 337 McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8 series 
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 222 airplanes of U.S. registry were affected by AD 93-
09-10, and would continue to be affected by this supersedure of that 
AD. It takes approximately 80 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
actions currently required by AD 93-09-10, and the average labor rate 
is $55 per work hour. (There are 8 brakes per airplane.) The cost of 
required parts to accomplish the change in wear limits for these 
airplanes (that is, the cost resulting from the requirement to change 
the brakes before they are worn to their previously approved limits for 
a one-time change) is approximately $5,600 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the current cost impact of the AD 93-09-10 on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be $2,220,000, or $10,000 per airplane.
    The total cost figure indicated above is presented as if no 
operator has yet accomplished the requirements of AD 93-09-10 (or this 
supersedure of that AD). However, because AD 93-09-10 was effective on 
June 21, 1993, and operators were given 180 days to comply with it, the 
FAA assumes that the majority of affected operators have already 
accomplished the requirements of that AD.
    The only foreseeable additional costs that may be imposed by this 
supersedure of AD 93-09-10 would be the cost of reidentifying 
(permanently marking) any modified brakes that were previously marked 
by a color code marking. The costs associated with that procedure are 
expected to be minimal.
    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, 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 39-8576 (58 FR 
29347, May 20, 1993), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
amendment 39-8857, to read as follows:

94-06-10 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-8857. Docket 93-NM-163-AD. 
Supersedes AD 93-09-10, Amendment 39-8576.

    Applicability: All Model DC-8 series airplanes, certificated in 
any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the loss of main landing gear braking effectiveness, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 180 days after June 21, 1993 (the effective date of 
AD 93-09-10, Amendment 39-8576), inspect the main landing gear 
brakes having the part numbers indicated below to determine wear. 
Any brake worn more than the maximum wear limit specified below must 
be replaced, prior to further flight, with a brake that is within 
this limit. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Maximum 
           Douglas brake part No.               Bendix part   wear limit
                                                   No.         (inches) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5610206-5001................................        150787-1        0.7 
                                                    150787-2        0.7 
5713612-5001................................        151882-1        0.7 
                                                    151882-2        0.7 
5773335-5001................................        154252-1        0.5 
5773335-5501................................        154252-2        0.5 
5759262-5001................................       2601412-1        0.5 
                                                  *2601412-2        0.75 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Brakes having this part number include part number 2601412-1 brakes    
  that have been modified and permanently marked in accordance with     
  McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 32-181, Revision 2, dated August   
  25, 1993.                                                             

    (b) Within 180 days after June 21, 1993, incorporate the maximum 
brake wear limits specified in paragraph (a) of this AD into the 
FAA-approved maintenance inspection program.
    (c) 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: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the 
airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be 
accomplished.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on April 15, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 10, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-6069 Filed 3-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U