[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27474]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 15, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-62-AD; Amendment 39-9064; AD 94-23-02]

 

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-30 and -
30F Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-30 and -30F series 
airplanes, that requires replacement of cargo door latch spool fitting 
attach bolts fabricated from H-11 steel with Inconel bolts. This 
amendment is prompted by a report of a broken latch spool fitting 
attach bolt found on a cargo door on a Model
DC-9 series freighter airplane. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent inadvertent opening of a cargo door while the 
airplane is in flight, and subsequent loss of pressurization and 
reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective December 15, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 15, 1994.

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 
Administrative Support, Dept. LS1, M.C. 2-98. 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 (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to eight specific McDonnell Douglas 
Model DC-10-30 and -30F series airplanes, was published in the Federal 
Register on July 21, 1994 (59 FR 37183). That action proposed to 
require replacement of cargo door latch spool fitting attach bolts 
fabricated from H-11 steel with Inconel bolts.
    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.
    Both 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 8 Model DC-10 series airplanes of the affected design in 
the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 6 airplanes of U.S. 
registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 
86 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $10,682 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $95,052, or 
$15,842 per airplane.
    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.

Adoption of the Amendment

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.
    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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

94-23-02 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9064. Docket 94-NM-62-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-10-30 and -30F series airplanes having 
fuselage numbers 409, 412, 416, 419, 422, 433, 434, and 435, 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent inadvertent opening of a cargo door while the 
airplane is in flight, and subsequent loss of pressurization and 
reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, replace 
all H-11 cargo door latch spool fitting attach bolts with Inconel 
bolts, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Alert Service 
Bulletin A52-212, Revision 4, dated November 3, 1993.
    (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 
sections 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) The replacement shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas DC-10 Alert Service Bulletin A52-212, Revision 4, dated 
November 3, 1993. This incorporation by reference was approved by 
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from McDonnell 
Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach, California 90801-
1771, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical Administrative 
Support, Dept. LS1, M.C. 2-98. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on December 15, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 1, 1994.
S. R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-27474 Filed 11-14-94; 8:45 am]
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