[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 81 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20915-20917]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9935]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-273-AD; Amendment 39-12194; AD 2001-08-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8 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-8 series airplanes, 
that requires an inspection of the antifogging or heating wiring to 
detect chafing or damage, as applicable; inspection of the insulation 
blankets to detect damage; and repair, if necessary. This amendment 
also requires revising the clearview window heating wiring 
installations. This amendment is prompted by a report of an electrical 
short that resulted in damage to the antifogging circuit wiring and 
insulation blanket above the Captain's clearview window. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent chafed and damaged wires 
as a result of a sharp bend and restricted space between the fuselage 
frame and the clearview window in the full open position, which could 
result in an electrical short, damage to the antifogging circuit wiring 
and insulation blanket, and consequent smoke and fire in the flight 
deck.

DATES: Effective May 31, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 31, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data 
and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). 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, 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: Elvin Wheeler, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 20916]]

Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5344; 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-8 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
September 1, 2000 (65 FR 53201). That action proposed to require an 
inspection of the antifogging or heating wiring to detect chafing or 
damage, as applicable; inspection of the insulation blankets to detect 
damage; and repair, if necessary. That action also proposed to require 
revising the clearview window heating wiring installations.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 163 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 113 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required detailed visual 
inspections, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspections required by 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $13,560, or $120 per 
airplane.
    The FAA also estimates that 54 airplanes of U.S. registry specified 
as ``Group 1'' in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC8-30A032, 
Revision 02, dated September 21, 1999, will be affected by this AD, 
that it will take approximately 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required wiring revision, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the wiring 
revision required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$16,200, or $300 per airplane.
    The FAA also estimates that 59 airplanes of U.S. registry specified 
as ``Group 2'' in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC8-30A032, 
Revision 02, dated September 21, 1999, will be affected by this AD, 
that it will take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish 
the required wiring revision, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the wiring 
revision required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$14,160, or $240 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. 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 adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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 
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:

2001-08-17  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12194.

    Applicability: Model DC-8-11, DC-8-12, DC-8-21, DC-8-31, DC-8-
32, DC-8-33, DC-8-41, DC-8-42, DC-8-43, DC-8-51, DC-8-52, DC-8-53, 
DC-88-55, DC-8F-54, DC-8F-55, DC-8-61, DC-8-61F, DC-8-62, DC-8-62F, 
DC-8-63, and DC-8-63F series airplanes, as listed in McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC8-30A032, Revision 02, dated 
September 21, 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 chafed and damaged wires as a result of a sharp bend 
and restricted space between the fuselage frame and the clearview 
window in the full open position, which could result in an 
electrical short, damage to the antifogging circuit wiring and 
insulation blanket, and consequent smoke and fire in the flight 
deck, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Modification

    (a) Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a detailed visual inspection of the heating wiring (Group 1 
airplanes) or antifogging wiring (Group 2 airplanes) to detect 
chafing or damage, as applicable; perform a general visual 
inspection of the insulation blankets to detect damage; and revise 
the clearview window heating wiring conduit installation; in 
accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC8-30A032, 
Revision 02, dated September 21, 1999. If any damaged insulation 
blanket or wire is detected, or if any chafed wire is detected, 
prior to further flight, repair in accordance with the service 
bulletin.

    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

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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.''


    Note 3: 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.''

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 4: 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC8-30A032, Revision 02, dated 
September 21, 1999. 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 Boeing 
Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach 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, 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.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on May 31, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 17, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-9935 Filed 4-25-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P