[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 181 (Thursday, September 18, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54682-54684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-23821]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-07-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-
10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, 
DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F Airplanes; and Model MD-11 and MD-
11F 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-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), 
DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F airplanes; and Model MD-
11 and MD-11F airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the 
left and right number one passenger door bolted lower seal-to-retainer 
and girt bar view window assemblies with new, double-flush riveted 
assemblies. This action is intended to prevent the number one passenger 
door slide from inflating before it has cleared the slide cover, which 
could result in the slide being unusable during an emergency evacuation 
and consequent injury to passengers or airplane crewmembers. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 3, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-07-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington. 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. 2003-NM-07-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.

[[Page 54683]]

    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from the 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: Ken Sujishi, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5353; 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 
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2003-NM-07-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. 2003-NM-07-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of the number one passenger door slide 
not deploying properly when the door was activated on two McDonnell 
Douglas Model MD-11 airplanes. Although the exact cause of the improper 
deployment has not been determined, it may be possible for the 
inflation lanyard of the evacuation slide to hang up on the ends of 
certain fasteners. These fasteners are used in the door bottom seal-to-
retainer assembly and the view window assembly. If the lanyard hangs up 
on the fasteners as the passenger door moves upward during emergency 
use, it may be possible for the slide to begin inflating before it has 
cleared the slide cover. This action is intended to prevent the number 
one passenger door slide from inflating before it has cleared the slide 
cover, which could result in the slide being unusable during an 
emergency evacuation and consequent injury to passengers or airplane 
crewmembers.
    The subject area on certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-
10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, 
DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F airplanes is almost identical to 
that on the affected Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. Therefore, all 
of these models may be subject to the same unsafe condition.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
DC10-25A378 dated November 27, 2002 (for Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-
10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, 
MD-10-10F, MD-10-30F series airplanes). The FAA has also reviewed and 
approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A262, Revision 01, dated 
February 11, 2003 (for Model MD-11 and MD-11F series airplanes). These 
service bulletins describe procedures for replacing the passenger door 
seal and view window retainer assemblies on the door lower cover with 
new, double-flush riveted assemblies. Accomplishment of the actions 
specified in the service bulletins 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 applicable service bulletin described previously.

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). Because we have now included this material in part 
39, only the office authorized to approve AMOCs is identified in each 
individual AD.

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 350 Model DC-10 airplanes, and 
approximately 195 Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes of the affected design 
in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 263 Model DC-10 
airplanes and 81 Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes of U.S. registry would 
be affected by this proposed AD.
    The following table shows the estimated cost impact for airplanes 
affected by this proposed AD:

[[Page 54684]]



                                               Table.--Cost Impact
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                                                                  Labor cost per  Parts cost per   Maximum fleet
                      Model                         Work hours       airplane        airplane          cost
                                                    (estimated)     (estimated)     (estimated)     (estimated)
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DC-10 and MD-10 airplanes.......................               2            $130          $6,024      $1,618,502
MD-11 and -11F airplanes........................               1              65           6,024         493,209
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    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 2003-NM-07-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, 
DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and 
MD-10-30F airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
DC10-25A378, dated November 27, 2002; and Model MD-11 and MD-11F 
airplanes, as listed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A262, 
Revision 01, dated February 11, 2003; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the number one passenger door slide from inflating 
before it has cleared the slide cover, which could result in the 
slide being unusable during an emergency evacuation and consequent 
injury to passengers or airplane crewmembers, accomplish the 
following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the left and right number one passenger door bolted lower 
seal-to-retainer and girt bar view window assemblies with the new, 
double-flush riveted assemblies, per the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-25A378, dated November 27, 
2002 (for Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F 
(KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F 
airplanes), or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A262, Revision 
01, dated February 11, 2003 (for Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes); 
as applicable.

Replacements Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (b) Replacements accomplished before the effective date of this 
AD per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A262, dated November 27, 
2002, are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding action specified in this AD.

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 September 11, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-23821 Filed 9-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P