[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 173 (Monday, September 8, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52870-52872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-22709]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-08-AD]
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: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas 
airplanes listed above. This proposal would require a one-time 
inspection for damage of the power feeder cables and surrounding 
structure, and repair if necessary. For certain airplanes, this 
proposal would require fabricating and installing a power feeder 
support bracket assembly and clamps at station Y=595.000, left side. 
For certain other airplanes, this proposal would require installing two 
power feeder support brackets and clamps at station Y=606.000, left 
side. This action is necessary to prevent chafing of the external 
ground power feeder cables against the adjacent structure, which could 
result in arcing and fire. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 23, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-08-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. 2002-NM-08-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 or 2000 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: Data 
and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). 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 action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] 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

[[Page 52871]]

submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2002-NM-08-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. 2002-NM-08-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received a report of arcing and a fire on a McDonnell 
Douglas Model DC-10 airplane in the area of the external ground power 
feeder cables and the adjacent structure at station Y=595.000, left 
side, at longerons 40 and 41. Chafing of the cables against the 
structure was discovered during maintenance. Investigation has revealed 
that, lacking any clamping in the area, the power feeder cables had 
been pulled taut against the adjacent structure, resulting in the 
chafing. This condition, if not corrected, could result in arcing and 
fire at this location.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
DC10-24A171, Revision 02, dated March 7, 2003. The service bulletin 
describes procedures for a visual inspection of the power feeder cables 
and surrounding structure for damage, and repair if necessary. In 
addition, for Group 1 and Group 3 airplanes, which have a floor beam at 
station Y=595.000, the service bulletin describes procedures for 
fabricating and installing a power feeder support bracket assembly and 
clamps at station Y=595.000, left side. For Group 2 airplanes, which 
have a floor beam at station Y=606.000, the service bulletin describes 
procedures for installing two power feeder support brackets and clamps 
at station Y=606.000, left side. 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, the 
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously, except as described below.

Changes to 14 CFR part 39/Effect on the Proposed 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 (AMOCs). This proposed AD identifies the office authorized 
to approve AMOCs in paragraph (c).

Change to Labor Rate Estimate

    We have reviewed the figures we have used over the past several 
years to calculate AD costs to operators. To account for various 
inflationary costs in the airline industry, we find it necessary to 
increase the labor rate used in these calculations from $60 per work 
hour to $65 per work hour. The cost impact information, below, reflects 
this increase in the specified hourly labor rate.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 59 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 44 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD.
    It would take approximately 2 to 3 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the proposed actions, at an average labor rate of $65 per 
work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $385 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $22,660 to $25,520, or $515 to $580 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 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 2002-NM-08-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; certificated in any category; as listed in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin DC10-24A171, Revision 02, dated March 7, 2003.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent chafing of the external ground power feeder cables 
against the adjacent structure, which could result in arcing and 
fire, accomplish the following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Perform 
a general visual inspection for damage of the power feeder cables 
and surrounding structure, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A171, Revision 
02, dated March 7, 2003. If any damage is found, repair it before 
further flight in accordance with the service bulletin. Inspections 
and repairs done before

[[Page 52872]]

the effective date of this AD in accordance with Revision 01 of the 
service bulletin, dated November 6, 2002, are also acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of this paragraph.

    Note: 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 from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight 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.''

Bracket Installation

    (b) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Perform 
the actions specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin DC10-24A171, Revision 02, dated March 7, 2003. 
Accomplishment of the actions before the effective date of this AD 
in accordance with Revision 01 of the service bulletin, dated 
November 6, 2002 is also acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of this paragraph.
    (1) For Group 1 and Group 3 airplanes: Fabricate and install a 
new power feeder support bracket assembly and clamps at station 
Y=595.000, left side. Bracket fabrication and installation done 
before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the original 
issue of the service bulletin, dated October 18, 2001, is also 
acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) 
of this AD.
    (2) For Group 2 airplanes: Install 2 power feeder support 
brackets and clamps at station Y=606.000, left side.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 29, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-22709 Filed 9-5-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P