[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 26, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4182-4184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1777]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-215-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 certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
DC-10 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time detailed 
visual inspection of the galley power feeder cables and fuselage 
structure at a certain station to detect chafing or arcing damage to 
the cables and structure or to detect arcing damage to the insulation 
blankets; and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposal also 
would require installation of spacers between the galley power feeder 
cable clamps and fuselage structure. This proposal is prompted by 
reports indicating that the galley power feeder cables chafed against a 
certain fuselage frame in the forward lower cargo compartment, which 
resulted in electrical arcing. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to prevent such chafing and arcing due to insufficient 
clearance between the cables and the airplane structure, which could 
result in smoke and fire in the forward lower cargo compartment.

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-215-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, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, 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-215-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-215-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

[[Page 4183]]

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 two incidents in which the galley power feeder 
cables chafed against the fuselage station Y=635.000 frame in the 
forward lower cargo compartment, which resulted in electrical arcing. 
These incidents occurred on McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 series 
airplanes. Investigation revealed that there was insufficient clearance 
between the cables and the airplane structure. This condition, if not 
corrected, could cause arcing of the galley power feeder cables against 
the airplane structure, which could result in smoke and fire in the 
forward lower cargo compartment.

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 DC10-24A162, dated July 28, 1999, which describes procedures 
for a one-time detailed visual inspection of the galley power feeder 
cables and fuselage structure at station Y=635.000 to detect chafing or 
arcing damage to the cables and structure or to detect arcing damage to 
the insulation blankets; and corrective actions, if necessary. The 
corrective actions include repair or replacement of chafed cables with 
new cables; repair of damaged frames; and replacement of damaged 
insulation blankets with new insulation blankets. This service bulletin 
also describes procedures for installation of spacers between the 
galley power feeder cable clamps and fuselage structure. 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, this 
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 168 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 103 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, 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 
$12,360, or $120 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-215-AD.
    Applicability: Model DC-10 series airplanes, as listed in McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A162, 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 chafing and arcing of the galley power feeder cables 
against the airplane structure due to insufficient clearance between 
the cables and the airplane structure, which could result in smoke and 
fire in the forward lower cargo compartment, accomplish the following:

Inspection, Installation of Spacers, and Corrective Actions, If 
Necessary

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a 
detailed visual inspection of the galley external power feeder cables 
and fuselage structure at station Y=635.000 to detect chafing or arcing 
damage to the cables and structure or to detect arcing damage to the 
insulation blankets, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin DC10-24A162, dated July 28, 1999.

    Note 2:  For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
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.''


[[Page 4184]]


    (1) If any damage or chafing is detected, prior to further flight, 
accomplish the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), 
(a)(1)(iii), and (a)(1)(iv) of this AD, as applicable, in accordance 
with Condition 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service 
bulletin.
    (i) Repair or replace the chafed cables with new cables.
    (ii) Repair the damaged frame.
    (iii) Replace the damaged insulation blanket with a new blanket; 
however, insulation blankets made of metallized 
polyethyleneteraphthalate (MPET) may not be used.
    (iv) Install spacers between the galley power feeder cable clamps 
and fuselage structure.
    (2) If no damage or chafing is detected, prior to further flight, 
install spacers between the galley power feeder cable clamps and 
fuselage structure in accordance with Condition 1 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of 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. 00-1777 Filed 1-25-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U