[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 26, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4184-4186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1776]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-214-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 Series 
Airplanes and KC-10A (Military) 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 certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
DC-10 series airplanes and KC-10A (military) airplanes. This proposal 
would require a general visual inspection of electrical power feeder 
cables, airplane structure, and insulation blankets at a certain 
fuselage station to detect chafing and arcing damage, and corrective 
actions, if necessary; and installation of a standoff and clamp. This 
proposal is prompted by an incident in which the power feeder cables in 
the cabin electrical system were found to be chafed and arced against a 
fuselage frame due to insufficient clearance between the cables and 
airplane structure. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent such chafing and arcing, which could cause smoke 
and fire in the overhead of the main cabin.

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-214-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-214-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-214-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 a particular aircraft whenever an accident occurs, the 
FAA has become aware of an incident in which the power feeder cables in 
the cabin electrical system had chafed and arced against the fuselage 
frame at station Y=1099.000 between longerons 9 and 10 (right side). 
The cable had burned in half, damaging

[[Page 4185]]

a three-inch section of the fuselage frame and adjacent insulation 
blankets. This incident occurred on a McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 
series airplane. The cause of the chafing was insufficient clearance 
between the electrical power cable and the fuselage structure. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in smoke and fire in the 
overhead of the main cabin.

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 DC10-24A163, dated July 28, 1999. The service bulletin 
describes procedures for a general visual inspection of electrical 
power feeder cables, airplane structure, and insulation blankets at 
station Y=1099.000 between longerons 9 and 10 (right side) to detect 
chafing and arcing damage; installation of a standoff and clamp at 
station Y=1093.000, longeron 10; and corrective actions, if necessary. 
The corrective actions involve repair or replacement of damaged power 
feeder cables, airplane structure, or insulation blankets with new 
parts. 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.

Typographical Error in Service Information

    Operators should note the applicability statement of the proposed 
AD differs from the effectivity listing of the referenced service 
bulletin in that it includes McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-15 series 
airplanes in the applicability statement. The service bulletin contains 
a typographical error that identifies Model ``DC-10-20'' series 
airplanes (which do not exist) as one of the affected models rather 
than Model DC-10-15 series airplanes. However, the manufacturer's 
fuselage numbers listed in the service bulletin corresponds to the 
affected Model DC-10-15 series airplanes. Therefore, the applicability 
statement of the proposed AD correctly refers to the subject service 
bulletin for the listing of affected airplanes.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 160 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 80 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $4,800, or $60 per airplane.
    It would take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish 
the proposed installation, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,800, or $60 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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-214-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-10 series airplanes and KC-10A 
(military) airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin DC10-24A163, dated July 28, 1999; 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 arcing of the power feeder cables against the 
fuselage structure, which could cause smoke and fire in the overhead 
of the main cabin, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a general visual inspection of the power feeder cables in the cabin 
electrical system, airplane structure, and insulation blankets at 
station Y=1099.000 between longerons 9 and 10 (right side) for 
evidence of chafing and arcing damage, in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A163, dated July 28, 1999.

    Note 2:  For the purposes of this AD, a general visual 
inspection is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or 
exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect

[[Page 4186]]

obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection 
is made under normally available lighting conditions such as 
daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or drop-light, and may 
require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, 
ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area 
being checked.''

Condition 1 Corrective Action

    (1) If no chafing or damage to the power feeder cables, 
structure, or insulation blankets is detected: Prior to further 
flight, install a standoff and clamp at station Y=1093.000, longeron 
10, in accordance with Condition 1 of the Work Instructions of the 
service bulletin.

Condition 2 Corrective Action

    (2) If any chafed power feeder cable is detected, and if no 
damage to adjacent structure or insulation blankets is detected: 
Prior to further flight, repair or replace the power feeder cables 
in the cabin electrical system with new power feeder cables; and 
install a standoff and clamp at station Y=1093.000, longeron 10, in 
accordance with Condition 2 of the Work Instructions of the service 
bulletin.

Condition 3 Corrective Action

    (3) If any chafed power feeder cable is detected, and if any 
damage to the adjacent structure and/or insulation blankets is 
detected: Prior to further flight, accomplish the actions specified 
in paragraphs (a)(3)(i), (a)(3)(ii), (a)(3)(iii), and (a)(3)(iv) of 
this AD, as applicable, in accordance with Condition 3 of the Work 
Instructions of the service bulletin.
    (i) Repair or replace the damaged power feeder cables in the 
cabin electrical system with new power feeder cables.
    (ii) Repair or replace the damaged structure with new structure.
    (iii) Repair or replace the damaged insulation blankets with new 
insulation blankets; however, insulation blankets made of metallized 
polyethyleneteraphthalate (MPET) may not be used.
    (iv) Install a standoff and clamp at station Y=1093.000, 
longeron 10.

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. 00-1776 Filed 1-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P