[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 7, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13755]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 7, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-26-AD]

 

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -15, 
-30, and -40 Series Airplanes, KC-10A (Military) Airplanes, and Model 
MD-11 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
DC-10 and MD-11 series airplanes. This proposal would require the 
installation of retainers and supports at the lateral control mixer 
bracket on the center of the wing rear spar of the airplane. This 
proposal is prompted by an analysis conducted by the manufacturer, 
which revealed that failure of a lateral control mixer bracket could 
result in uncommanded deployment of the spoiler. The actions specified 
by the proposed AD are intended to prevent inadvertent asymmetric 
deployment of the spoiler, which may lead to reduced controllability of 
the airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 1, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-26-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach, 
California 90801-1771, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical 
Administrative Support, Department L51, M.C. 2-98. This information may 
be examined 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wahib Mina, 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) 988-5324; fax (310) 988-
5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 94-NM-26-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 94-NM-26-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    A recent analysis conducted by the manufacturer revealed that the 
potential exists for uncommanded spoiler extension due to failure, for 
any reason, of a lateral control mixer bracket on Model MD-11 series 
airplanes. The FAA has reviewed the results of this analysis and has 
determined that failure of the lateral control mixer bracket could 
result in uncommanded deployment of the spoiler on Model DC-10-10, -15, 
-30, and -40 series airplanes, and KC-10A (military) airplanes, as well 
as on Model MD-11 series airplanes, since the brackets are designed 
similarly on these airplanes. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in inadvertent asymmetric deployment of the spoiler, which may 
lead to reduced controllability of the airplane.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service 
Bulletin 27-222 [for Model DC-10-10, -15, -30, and -40 series airplanes 
and KC-10 (military) airplanes], and MD-11 Service Bulletin 27-34 (for 
Model MD-11 series airplanes), both dated November 1, 1993, that 
describe procedures for installation of retainers and supports at the 
lateral control mixer bracket on the center of the wing rear spar of 
the airplane. This installation will minimize the possibility for 
uncommanded extension of the spoiler in the event of a bracket failure 
or separation from the airplane structure.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require installation of retainers and supports at the 
lateral control mixer bracket on the center of the wing rear spar of 
the airplane. The actions would be required to be accomplished in 
accordance with the applicable service bulletin described previously.
    There are approximately 427 Model DC-10-10, -15, -30, and -40 
series airplanes and KC-10A (military) airplanes of the affected design 
in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 241 airplanes of U.S. 
registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take 
approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. Required 
parts would cost approximately $6,497 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators of 
DC-10 series airplanes is estimated to be $1,605,542 or $6,662 per 
airplane.
    There are approximately 114 Model MD-11 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 46 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $6,497 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators of Model MD-11 series airplanes is estimated to be $306,452, 
or $6,662 per airplane.
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 94-NM-26-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-10-10, -15, -30, and -40 series 
airplanes and KC-10A (military) airplanes, as listed in McDonnell 
Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 27-222, dated November 1, 1993; and 
Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas MD-11 
Service Bulletin 27-34, dated November 1, 1993; certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent inadvertent asymmetric deployment of the spoiler, 
which may lead to reduced controllability of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install retainers and supports at the lateral control right- and 
left-hand mixer bracket on the center of the wing rear spar of the 
airplane in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 
27-222, dated November 1, 1993 [for Model DC-10-10, -15, -30, and -
40 series airplanes and KC-10A (military) airplanes]; or McDonnell 
Douglas MD-11 Service Bulletin 27-34, dated November 1, 1993 (for 
Model MD-11 series airplanes); as applicable.
    (b) 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.

    (c) 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 1, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-13755 Filed 6-6-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U