[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 103 (Thursday, May 29, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31975-31976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13223]



[[Page 31975]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-358-AD; Amendment 39-13163; AD 2003-11-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-
10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), 
DC-10-40, and DC-10-40F Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas airplanes, that requires 
inspections of the linear variable differential transducers (LVDTs) of 
the autopilot for discrepancies, and follow-on actions if necessary. 
This amendment is prompted by information from the manufacturer 
advising that certain LVDTs were delivered with an undersize nylok 
element on the threaded extension. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent failure of the LVDTs, which could result in an 
automatic pitch trim malfunction or an autopilot disconnect, and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective July 3, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 3, 2003.

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: Ron Atmur, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5224; 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-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F, DC-10-30F (KC-10A 
and KDC-10), DC-10-40, and DC-10-40F airplanes was published as a 
supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal 
Register on March 17, 2003 (68 FR 12618). That action proposed to 
require inspections of the linear variable differential transducers 
(LVDTs) of the autopilot for discrepancies, and follow-on actions if 
necessary. That action also proposed to expand the applicability of the 
original NPRM.

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 in the supplmental NPRM.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance. However, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we 
have retained the language of the supplemental NPRM regarding that 
material.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 394 Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, 
DC-10-30, DC-10-30F, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, and DC-
10-40F airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 252 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this 
AD.
    We estimate that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the inspection specified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin DC10-22A126, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of that inspection required by 
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $15,120, or $60 per 
airplane.
    We estimate that it will take approximately 1 work hour per 
airplane to accomplish the inspections specified in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin DC10-22A127, at an average labor rate of $60 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of these inspections 
required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $15,120, or 
$60 per airplane.
    Should an operator be required to perform the follow-on actions 
specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-22A126, the cost 
estimates are as follows:
    [sbull] Condition 2-Repair/inspect: 1 work hour per airplane at $60 
per work hour.
    [sbull] Condition 4-Realign: 1 work hour per airplane at $60 per 
work hour.
    [sbull] Condition 5-Replace LVDT: 1 work hour per airplane at $60 
per work hour; estimated parts cost of $900.
    [sbull] Condition 6-Replace hangar: 1 work hour per airplane at $60 
per work hour; estimated parts cost of $100.
    Should an operator be required to perform the follow-on actions 
specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-22A127, the cost 
estimates are as follows:
    [sbull] Option 1-Replace LVDT and do adjustment/test: 2 work hours 
per airplane at $60 per work hour; estimated parts cost of $900.
    [sbull] Option 2-Install a heat shrinkable sleeve and inspect: 2 
work hours per airplane at $60 per work hour.
    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

[[Page 31976]]

``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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-11-04 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13163. Docket 2001-NM-
358-AD.
    Applicability: Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, 
DC-10-30F, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, and DC-10-40F 
airplanes; as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-22A126, 
dated October 31, 2001; and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-
22A127, dated December 17, 2001; 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 (c) 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 failure of the linear variable differential 
transducers (LVDTs) of the autopilot, which could result in an 
automatic pitch trim malfunction or an autopilot disconnect, and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:

Detailed Inspections/Follow-on Actions

    (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD: Do the 
detailed inspections of the LVDTs of the autopilot for discrepancies 
as required by paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.

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

    (1) Inspect the LVDTs for affected serial numbers (with 
undersize nylok elements) per Figure 1 of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin DC10-22A127, dated December 17, 2001, excluding Evaluation 
Form. If any affected serial number is found, before further flight, 
do either Option 1 (including replacing the LVDT with a new LVDT and 
doing an automatic pitch trim adjustment/test), or Option 2 
(including installing a heat-shrinkable sleeve over the LVDT jamnut 
and doing repetitive inspections for any loose jamnut every 500 
flight hours until the LVDT is replaced with a new LVDT), of 
Condition 1 of the service bulletin, per the service bulletin. If 
any discrepancy is found, before further flight, replace the LVDT 
with a new LVDT. If no discrepancy is found, no further action is 
required by this paragraph.
    (2) Inspect the shear rivets of the LVDTs of the drive assembly 
of the automatic pitch trim for discrepancies (shearing and/or 
looseness), per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-22A126, dated 
October 31, 2001, excluding Evaluation Form. If any discrepancy is 
found, before further flight, do Conditions 2 through 6 (including 
repairing the driver assembly and inspecting the LVDT within 9 
months after doing the repair; doing an automatic pitch trim 
adjustment/test; aligning the LVDT; replacing the existing LVDT with 
a new LVDT; and replacing the hangar assembly with a new assembly), 
as applicable, of the service bulletin, per the service bulletin. If 
no discrepancy is found, no further action is required by this 
paragraph.

Part Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no one may install an 
LVDT with a serial number listed in the ``Affected Serial Numbers'' 
table in Figure 1 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-22A127, 
dated December 17, 2001, excluding Evaluation Form, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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 Permits

    (d) 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

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin DC10-22A126, dated October 31, 2001, excluding 
Evaluation Form; and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-22A127, 
dated December 17, 2001, excluding Evaluation Form; as applicable. 
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; 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

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 3, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 21, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-13223 Filed 5-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P