[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 29, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71076-71078]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30444]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-148-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 general visual 
inspection to detect chafing or damage of the feeder cables of the 
external ground power in the forward cargo compartment between certain 
fuselage stations; and repair, if necessary. This proposal also would 
require installation of spiral wrap on the feeder cables of the 
external ground power. This action is necessary to prevent chafing of 
the feeder cables during removal of the sump panels of the cargo floor, 
which could result in electrical arcing and damage to adjacent 
structure, and consequent smoke and/or fire in the forward cargo 
compartment. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by January 16, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-148-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-148-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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, 
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, 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.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 2000-NM-148-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. 2000-NM-148-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 that the feeder cable of the external ground power 
failed on McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 series airplanes. The cause of 
this failure is attributed to cables being chafed during prior removal 
of the sump panels of the cargo floor, which resulted in electrical 
arcing and damage to adjacent structure. These conditions, if not 
corrected, could result in smoke and/or fire in the forward 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 DC10-24A147, Revision 02, dated March 6, 2000. The service 
bulletin describes procedures for a general visual inspection to detect 
chafing or damage of the feeder cables of the external ground power in 
the forward cargo compartment between fuselage stations Y=879.000 and 
Y=1019.000 left of centerline; and repair, if necessary. The service 
bulletin also describes procedures for installation of spiral wrap on 
the feeder cables of the external ground power. Accomplishment of the 
actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately 
address the identified unsafe condition.

[[Page 71077]]

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 260 Model DC-10 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 171 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
    For Groups 1, 2, and 3 airplanes, it would take approximately 5 
work hours per airplane (including gaining and closing access) 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 
inspection AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $300 per airplane.
    For Group 1 airplanes, it would take approximately 2 work hours per 
airplane (including gaining and closing access) to accomplish the 
proposed installation, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $140 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed installation AD on U.S. 
operators of Group 1 airplanes is estimated to be $260 per airplane.
    For Group 2 airplanes, it would take approximately 3 work hours per 
airplane (including gaining and closing access) to accomplish the 
proposed installation, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $140 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed installation AD on U.S. 
operators of Group 2 airplanes is estimated to be $320 per airplane.
    For Group 3 airplanes, it would take approximately 4 work hours per 
airplane (including gaining and closing access) to accomplish the 
proposed installation, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $140 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed installation AD on U.S. 
operators of Group 3 airplanes is estimated to be $380 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 proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact 
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time 
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. 
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the 
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions.

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 2000-NM-148-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-10 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A147, Revision 02, 
dated March 6, 2000; 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 of the feeder cables during removal of the 
sump panels of the cargo floor, which could result in electrical 
arcing and damage to adjacent structure, and consequent smoke and/or 
fire in the forward cargo compartment, accomplish the following:

Inspection, Installation of Spiral Wrap, and Repair, If Necessary

    (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD per 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A147, Revision 02, 
dated March 6, 2000.
    (1) Do a general visual inspection to detect chafing or damage 
of the feeder cables of the external ground power in the forward 
cargo compartment between fuselage stations Y=879.000 and Y=1019.000 
left of centerline. If any chafing or damage is detected, before 
further flight, repair the feeder cables of the external ground 
power and adjacent structure.

    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 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.''

    (2) Install spiral wrap on the feeder cables of the external 
ground power.

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. 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 Angles ACO.


[[Page 71078]]



Special Flight Permit

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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 November 22, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-30444 Filed 11-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U