[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 207 (Thursday, October 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25846]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 27, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-22-AD; Amendment 39-9050; AD 94-22-01]

 

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 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-10-10, -10F, -30, 
and -30F series airplanes, that currently requires inspections to 
detect ice or snow accumulation on top of the fuselage and in the inlet 
of the number 2 engine, and removal of ice and snow accumulation. This 
amendment adds certain airplanes to the applicability of the rule and 
limits the inspection requirement to only a certain group of airplanes. 
This amendment is prompted by the development of improved fan blades on 
certain engines and the identification of additional airplanes that are 
subject to the unsafe condition. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to minimize damage to the number 2 engine due to ingestion of 
ice and snow.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 28, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Information related to this rule 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raymond Vakili, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-141L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long 
Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-5262; fax (310) 988-
5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 75-04-11, 
amendment 39-2094, which is applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model 
DC-10-10, -10F, -30, and -30F series airplanes, was published in the 
Federal Register on July 18, 1994 (59 FR 36375). The action proposed to 
supersede AD 75-04-11, which currently requires inspections to detect 
ice and snow accumulation on top of the fuselage and in the inlet of 
the number 2 engine, and removal of ice and snow. The action proposed 
to add Model DC-10-15 series airplanes to the applicability of the 
rule, and to limit the inspection requirement to only a certain group 
of airplanes.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.
    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
    There are approximately 379 McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -10F, 
-30, -30F, and -15 series airplanes and Model KC-10A (military) 
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 226 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this 
AD. (Currently, there are no Model DC-10-15 series airplanes of U.S. 
registry that will be affected by this AD.)
    The inspections that were previously required by AD 75-04-11, and 
retained in this AD take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to 
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the 
inspection requirement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $12,430, or 
$55 per airplane, per inspection. This AD will only add the cost of 
inspections for the operators of Model KC-10A (military) airplanes.
    For operators of Model DC-10-10, -10F, -30, and -30F series 
airplanes having all solid fan blades in the number 2 engine position, 
the economic burden will be reduced since the previous requirement to 
inspect these airplanes in accordance with the existing AD will be 
eliminated by this AD. However, this does not relieve operators of the 
responsibility to comply with the requirements of Secs. 91.527 
(``Operating in icing conditions'') and 121.629 (``Operation in icing 
conditions''--air carriers) of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
91.527 and 121.629).
    The total cost impact figure discussed above is based on 
assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the 
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish 
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted.
    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 part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) 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 39-2094, and by 
adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39-, to read as 
follows:

94-22-01 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9050. Docket 94-NM-22-AD. 
Supersedes AD 75-04-11, Amendment 39-2094.

    Applicability: Model DC-10-10, -10F, -30, -30F, and -15 series 
airplanes, and Model KC-10A (military) airplanes, on which the 
number 2 engine is a General Electric Model CF6 series turbofan 
engine having one or more gundrilled fan blades installed, including 
but not limited to part numbers 9010M33 and 9137M39; certificated in 
any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent possible damage to the number 2 engine due to 
ingestion of ice and snow, accomplish the following:
    (a) As of the effective date of this AD, prior to starting the 
number 2 engine on any airplane that has been parked during icing 
conditions (freezing rain, snow, sleet) for any period of time 
during which ice or snow may have accumulated on the airplane in the 
area of the number 2 engine, inspect to detect ice and snow 
accumulation on top of the fuselage and in the inlet of the number 2 
engine. If ice or snow accumulation is found, prior to further 
flight, remove the ice or snow accumulation.

    Note 1: Guidelines for inspection and safeguarding the aircraft 
are contained in these documents:

Douglas All Operators Letter (AOL) 10-546, dated January 11, 1974
Douglas AOL 10-673, dated August 7, 1974
DC-10 Airplane Maintenance Manual, Chapter 12-31-01

    (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 2: 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 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on November 28, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 13, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-25846 Filed 10-26-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U