[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 146 (Monday, July 29, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39312-39314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-19012]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-39-AD; Amendment 39-9701; AD 96-16-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10 and
DC-10-15 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-10-10 and DC-10-15
series airplanes, that requires an inspection for evidence of missing
chrome and for corrosion on the chrome surfaces, or verification that
the forward trunnion bolts have been chrome plated in a specific
manner; and rework or replacement of the bolts, if necessary. This
amendment is prompted by a report of chrome flaking on the bearing
surface of the trunnion bolts due to improper cleaning of the base
material prior to chrome plating. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent premature failure of the trunnion bolts and
subsequent collapse of the main landing gear (MLG) as a result of
chrome flaking and severe corrosion on the bearing surface and in the
mechanical fuse.
DATES: Effective September 3, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of September 3, 1996.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard,
Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications
Business Administration, Department C1-L51 (2-60). 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, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,
California; or at the Office of the Federal
[[Page 39313]]
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maureen Moreland or Ron Atmur,
Aerospace Engineers, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,
California 90712; telephone (310) 627-5238 or (310) 627-5224; fax (310)
627-5210.
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 certain McDonnell Douglas Model
DC-10-10 and DC-10-15 series airplanes was published in the Federal
Register on April 10, 1996 (61 FR 15904). That action proposed to
require a visual inspection for evidence of missing chrome and for
corrosion on the chrome surfaces, or verification that the forward
trunnion bolts have been chrome plated in a specific manner; and rework
or replacement of the bolts, if necessary.
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.
Conclusion
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.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 139 McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10 and
DC-10-15 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide
fleet. The FAA estimates that 121 airplanes of U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per
airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of
the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,260, or $60 per
airplane.
The 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.
Regulatory Impact
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, Incorporation by
reference, 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-16-01 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9701. Docket 96-NM-39-AD.
Applicability: Model DC-10-10 and DC-10-15 series airplanes, as
listed in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC10-32-241, dated
December 13, 1995; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent premature failure of the trunnion bolts and
subsequent collapse of the main landing gear (MLG), accomplish the
following:
(a) For airplanes on which the forward trunnion bolts, part
number (P/N) ARG7557-501, installed on the left and right MLG's,
have accumulated 6,000 or more total flight hours, or 2,000 or more
total flight cycles, as of the date of the inspection or
verification required by paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2), respectively,
of this AD: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, in
accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC10-32-241,
dated December 13, 1995.
(1) Remove the bolts and perform a visual inspection for
evidence of missing chrome and for corrosion on the chrome surfaces,
in accordance with the service bulletin.
(i) If no evidence of missing chrome and no corrosion on the
chrome surfaces are found, no further action is required by this AD.
(ii) If any evidence of missing chrome or any corrosion on the
chrome surfaces is found, prior to further flight, accomplish either
paragraph (a)(1)(ii)(A) or (a)(1)(ii)(B) of this AD.
(A) Remove the chrome plating on the trunnion bolt in accordance
with the service bulletin; replace the plating in accordance with
the Component Maintenance Manual (CMM), Chapter 20-10-02, Revision
31, dated September 1, 1991, or in accordance with a method approved
by a McDonnell Douglas Designated Engineering Representative (DER)
who has been given a special delegation by the Manager, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, to make such a finding; and reinstall the reworked bolt
in accordance with the service bulletin.
(B) Replace the trunnion bolt with a serviceable part in
accordance with the service bulletin. -
(2) Verify whether the forward trunnion bolts, P/N ARG7557-501,
installed on the left and right MLG's, have been chrome plated since
original manufacture, in accordance with the CMM, Chapter 20-10-02,
Revision 31, dated September 1, 1991, or in accordance with a method
approved by a McDonnell Douglas DER who has been given a special
delegation by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, to make such a finding.
(i) If the bolts have been chrome plated since original
manufacture, in accordance with the CMM, Chapter 20-10-02, Revision
31, dated September 1, 1991, or in accordance with a method approved
by a McDonnell Douglas DER who has been given a special delegation
by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, to make such a finding: No further
action is required by this AD.
(ii) If any bolt has not been chrome plated since original
manufacture, in accordance with the CMM, Chapter 20-10-02, Revision
31, dated September 1, 1991, or in accordance with a method approved
by a
[[Page 39314]]
McDonnell Douglas DER who has been given a special delegation by the
Manager, Los Angeles ACO, to make such a finding: Prior to further
flight, accomplish the requirements of either paragraph
(a)(1)(ii)(A) or (a)(1)(ii)(B) of this AD in accordance with the
service bulletin.
(b) For airplanes other than those identified in paragraph (a)
of this AD: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
verify whether the forward trunnion bolts, P/N ARG7557-501,
installed on the left and right MLG's, have been chrome plated since
original manufacture, in accordance with the CMM, Chapter 20-10-02,
Revision 31, dated September 1, 1991, or in accordance with a method
approved by a McDonnell Douglas DER who has been given a special
delegation by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, to make such a finding.
(1) If the bolts have been chrome plated since original
manufacture, in accordance with the CMM, Chapter 20-10-02, Revision
31, dated September 1, 1991, or in accordance with a method approved
by a McDonnell Douglas DER who has been given a special delegation
by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, to make such a finding: No further
action is required by this AD.
(2) If any bolt has not been chrome plated since original
manufacture, in accordance with the CMM, Chapter 20-10-02, Revision
31, dated September 1, 1991, or in accordance with a method approved
by a McDonnell Douglas DER who has been given a special delegation
by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, to make such a finding: Prior to
further flight, accomplish the requirements of either paragraph
(b)(2)(i) or (b)(2)(ii) of this AD in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Service Bulletin DC10-32-241, dated December 13, 1995. -
(i) Remove the chrome plating on the trunnion bolt in accordance
with the service bulletin; replace the plating in accordance with
the Component Maintenance Manual (CMM), Chapter 20-10-02, Revision
31, dated September 1, 1991, or in accordance with a method approved
by a McDonnell Douglas Designated Engineering Representative (DER)
who has been given a special delegation by the Manager, Los Angeles
ACO, to make such a finding; and reinstall the reworked bolt in
accordance with the service bulletin. Or -
(ii) Replace the trunnion bolt with a serviceable part in
accordance with the service bulletin. -
(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 ACO. 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.
-(d) 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. -
(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Service Bulletin DC10-32-241, dated December 13, 1995. 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, 3855
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention:
Technical Publications Business Administration, Department C1-L51
(2-60). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. -
(f) This amendment becomes effective on September 3, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 22, 1996.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-19012 Filed 7-26-96; 8:45 am]
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