[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]
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