[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 26, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4186-4188]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1775]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-213-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 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 all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 
series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time detailed 
visual inspection to determine if wire segments of the wire bundle 
routed through the feed through on the aft side of the flight 
engineer's station are damaged or chafed, and corrective actions, if 
necessary. This proposal is prompted by a report of smoke coming out of 
the flight engineer's upper right circuit breaker panel, which was 
followed by circuit breakers popping and the panel lights going out. 
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent 
chafing of the wire bundle located behind the flight engineer's panel 
caused by the wire bundle coming in contact with the lower edge of the 
feed through and consequent electrical arcing, which could result in 
smoke and fire in the cockpit.

DATES:  Comments must be received by March 13, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-213-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: 
Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). 
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, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Natalie Phan-Tran, Aerospace 
Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California. 90712-4137; telephone (562) 
627-5343; fax (562) 627-5210.

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 99-NM-213-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-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 99-NM-213-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    As part of its practice of re-examining all aspects of the service 
experience of

[[Page 4187]]

a particular aircraft whenever an accident occurs, the FAA has become 
aware of an incident in which smoke came out of the flight engineer's 
upper right circuit breaker panel which was followed by circuit 
breakers popping and the panel lights going out. This incident occurred 
on a McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 series airplane. Investigation 
revealed that the wire segments of the wire bundle routed through the 
feed through behind the flight engineer's station had been damaged. 
This condition has been attributed to excessive preloading of the 
support clamp and bracket during manufacturing. Such excessive 
preloading caused the wire bundle support clamp to rotate, which 
resulted in the wire bundle contacting the lower edge of the feed 
through. This condition, if not corrected, could result in chafing of 
electrical wires and consequent electrical arcing, which could result 
in smoke and fire in the cockpit.

Other Related Rulemaking

    The FAA, in conjunction with Boeing and operators of Model DC-10 
series airplanes, is continuing to review all aspects of the service 
history of those airplanes to identify potential unsafe conditions and 
to take appropriate corrective actions. This proposed AD is one of a 
series of actions identified during that process. The process is 
continuing and the FAA may consider additional rulemaking actions as 
further results of the review become available.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin DC10-24A149, Revision 01, dated May 6, 1999. The service 
bulletin describes procedures for a one-time detailed visual inspection 
to determine if wire segments of the wire bundle routed through the 
feed through on the aft side of the flight engineer's station are 
damaged or chafed; and repair of the wires, and modification of the 
wire bundle support clamp on the aft side of the flight engineer's 
station, if necessary. The modification includes installation of a 
grommet around the lower edge of the feed through and new support 
bracket, and relocation of the wire bundle support clamp. 
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is 
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    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 accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 412 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 300 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed AD, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$18,000, or $60 per airplane.
    The 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.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 
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:

McDonnell Douglas:
    Docket 99-NM-213-AD.
    Applicability: All Model DC-10 series airplanes, certificated in 
any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 chafing of the wire bundle located behind the flight 
engineer's panel caused by the wire bundle coming in contact with 
the lower edge of the feed through and consequent electrical arcing, 
which could result in smoke and fire in the cockpit, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, perform a 
one-time detailed visual inspection to determine if the wire 
segments of the wire bundle routed through the feed through on the 
aft side of the flight engineer's station are damaged or chafed, in 
accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-
24A149, Revision 01, dated May 6, 1999.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''

Corrective Actions

    (1) For airplanes identified as Group 1 in the service bulletin: 
Accomplish paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (a)(1)(ii) of this AD, as 
applicable.
    (i) If no damaged or chafed wire is found, no further action is 
required by this AD.

[[Page 4188]]

    (ii) If any damaged or chafed wire is found, prior to further 
flight, repair in accordance with the service bulletin;
    (2) For airplanes identified as Group 2 in the service bulletin: 
Accomplish paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this AD, as 
applicable.
    (i) If no damaged or chafed wire is found, within 1 year after 
the effective date of this AD, revise the wire bundle support clamp 
installation at the flight engineer's station in accordance with the 
service bulletin.
    (ii) If any damaged or chafed wire is found, prior to further 
flight, repair the wiring, and revise the wire bundle support clamp 
installation at the flight engineer's station, in accordance with 
the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 20, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-1775 Filed 1-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U