[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 29, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45568-45570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21495]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-149-AD; Amendment 39-12413; AD 2001-17-22]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 and MD-10 
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-10 and MD-10 series 
airplanes, that requires an inspection of the one phase remote control 
circuit breakers (RCCB) in the main avionics compartment and center 
accessory compartment to determine their part numbers and serial 
numbers, and replacement of RCCB's with certain RCCB's, if necessary. 
This action is necessary to ensure that defective braze

[[Page 45569]]

joints of certain latch assemblies of the RCCB are not installed on the 
airplane. Defective braze joints could fail and prevent the RCCB from 
tripping during an overload condition, which could result in a fire and 
smoke in certain wire bundles that are routed to and from the main 
avionics compartment or center accessory compartment. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective October 3, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 3, 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: 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: 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-10 and MD-10 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register 
on November 29, 2000 (65 FR 71074). That action proposed to require an 
inspection of the one phase remote control circuit breakers (RCCB) in 
the main avionics compartment and center accessory compartment to 
determine their part numbers and serial numbers, and replacement of 
RCCB's with certain RCCB's, if necessary.

Comments Received

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Concur With the NPRM

    Two commenters concur with the intent and requirements of the NPRM.

Request To Revise the Compliance Time

    One commenter, an operator, requests that the compliance time for 
the ``on-condition'' replacement of the RCCB be revised from ``prior to 
further flight'' to ``replacement before compliance date.'' The 
commenter notes that, before the proposed inspection is performed, the 
extent of the problem is unknown, and it would be hard for the 
operators to procure sufficient RCCB's. The commenter concludes that 
such an extension of the compliance time would prevent possible 
grounding of airplanes.
    The FAA does not concur that the compliance time for the ``on-
condition'' replacement should be revised. We acknowledge the 
commenter's concern about the availability of replacement RCCB's; 
however, the manufacturer has advised us that adequate parts for the 
replacement of RCCB's are available. Therefore, no change in this 
regard is necessary to the final rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 446 Model DC-10 and MD-10 series airplanes 
of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 
312 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it 
will take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
required inspection, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection 
required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $112,320, or 
$360 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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:

2001-17-22  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12413. Docket 2000-NM-
149-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-10 and MD-10 series airplanes, as listed 
in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A164, dated June 22, 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

[[Page 45570]]

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 fire and smoke in certain wire bundles that are 
routed to and from the main avionics compartment or center accessory 
compartment, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Replacement, if Necessary

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a one-time general visual inspection of the one phase remote control 
circuit breakers (RCCB) in the main avionics compartment and center 
accessory compartment to determine the part numbers and serial 
numbers (identified in Table 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the service bulletin), in accordance with Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin DC10-24A164, dated June 22, 2000.

    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.''

    (1) If any RCCB has a part number listed in Table 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin and the 
corresponding serial number is NOT identified in that table, no 
further action is required by this AD.
    (2) If any RCCB has a part number listed in Table 2 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin and the 
corresponding serial number is identified in that table, before 
further flight, replace the RCCB with a RCCB having the same part 
number with a serial number that is NOT identified in Table 2, 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. 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 Permit

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance 
withSecs. 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 Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin DC10-24A164, dated June 22, 2000. 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: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-
0024). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 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 October 3, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 20, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-21495 Filed 8-28-01; 8:45 am]
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