[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 202 (Tuesday, October 20, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55940-55942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-27882]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-73-AD; Amendment 39-10846; AD 98-21-37]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -15, 
-30, and -40 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, -15, -30, and -
40 series airplanes, that requires installation of a new protector cap 
in all fuel tank boost/transfer pump housings. This amendment is 
prompted by reports of inoperative fuel boost/transfer pumps due to 
arcing or burning of the electrical connectors. The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to prevent damage to the fuel tank boost/
transfer pump housings in case of an electrical connector malfunction, 
which could result in increased risk of a fuel tank explosion or fire.

DATES: Effective November 23, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 23, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from The Boeing Company, Douglas Products Division, 3855 
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California

[[Page 55941]]

90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. 
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 Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roscoe Van Dyke, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5254; fax (562) 
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, -15, -30, and -40 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on June 12, 1998 (63 FR 32154). That action proposed 
to require installation of a new protector cap in all fuel tank boost/
transfer pump housings.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Support for the Proposal

    Several commenters support the intent of the proposal.

Request To Extend Compliance Time

    Two commenters request that the compliance time be extended. One 
commenter requests an extension from 24 to 30 months to allow for parts 
delivery from the manufacturer. Another commenter requests an extension 
to 40 months to coincide with its maintenance check schedule.
    The FAA does not concur that the compliance time should be 
extended. The FAA has been advised by the manufacturer that required 
parts will be available in time for installation within the proposed 
24-month compliance period. Furthermore, the FAA finds that 24 months 
should provide ample time for the modification to be accomplished 
during scheduled maintenance. Therefore, in consideration of parts 
availability and operators' maintenance schedules, the FAA has 
determined that the 24-month compliance time not only is necessary to 
ensure the safety of the fleet, but will provide a reasonable time 
period to accomplish the modification. No change to the final rule is 
necessary in this regard.

Request To Revise Cost Estimate

    Two commenters state that the proposed cost estimate is too low. 
One commenter states that the parts cost is higher than the figure 
reported in the proposal. Another commenter suggests increased, ``more 
realistic'' work hour estimates for the three airplane groups 
identified in the proposal, and states that additional time would be 
required if fuel tank entry is needed to perform work specified in 
another service bulletin (Crane Service Bulletin 60-843-3-28-14).
    The FAA does not concur that the cost estimate should be revised. 
With respect to parts cost, the cost estimate as proposed is based on 
information provided by the manufacturer. McDonnell Douglas DC-10 
Service Bulletin 28-97 (which was cited in the proposal as the 
appropriate source of service information) indicated a sliding scale 
for parts costs relative to the quantities of parts purchased; those 
figures correspond to the parts cost figures reported in the AD.
    With respect to the work hour estimate, the FAA infers that the 
commenter requests that the AD be revised to include work hours for 
indirect labor associated with placing the airplane into maintenance 
status and gaining access to accomplish the required actions. The FAA 
advises that the proposed estimate does not reflect work hours for such 
indirect labor. In addition, the FAA infers that the commenter requests 
that the AD be revised to include work hours necessary to accomplish 
the referenced Crane service bulletin. However, the Crane service 
bulletin is not described in the proposal, and the proposed cost 
estimate does not account for modifications or maintenance not required 
by this AD.
    The FAA finds that the parts and direct labor cost estimates, as 
proposed, are appropriate. No change to the final rule is necessary.

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 188 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 151 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD.
    For airplanes identified as Group I in McDonnell Douglas DC-10 
Service Bulletin 28-97, Revision 1, dated October 8, 1985, it will take 
approximately 12 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $3,400 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the modification required by this AD on 
U.S. operators of Group I airplanes is estimated to be $4,120 per 
airplane.
    For airplanes identified as Group II in the referenced service 
bulletin, it will take approximately 15 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required modification, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $4,100 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification 
required by this AD on U.S. operators of Group II airplanes is 
estimated to be $5,000 per airplane.
    For airplanes identified as Group III in the referenced service 
bulletin, it will take approximately 17 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required modification, at an average labor rate of $60 
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $4,800 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification 
required by this AD on U.S. operators of Group III airplanes is 
estimated to be $5,820 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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

[[Page 55942]]

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:

98-21-37  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-10846. Docket 98-NM-73-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-10-10, -15, -30, and -40 series 
airplanes; as listed in McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 28-
97, Revision 1, dated October 8, 1985; 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 (b) 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 damage to the fuel tank boost/transfer pump housings 
in case of an electrical connector malfunction, which could result 
in increased risk of a fuel tank explosion or fire, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install a new protector cap in all fuel tank boost/transfer pump 
housings in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 
28-97, dated May 10, 1982, or Revision 1, dated October 8, 1985.
    (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 
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 actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 28-97, dated May 10, 1982; or 
McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 28-97, Revision 1, dated 
October 8, 1985. 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 The Boeing Company, 
Douglas Products Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, 
California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business 
Administration, Dept. 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 ACO, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 23, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 9, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-27882 Filed 10-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U