[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 23, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 74166-74167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31193]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-08-AD; Amendment 39-13396; AD 2003-25-13]
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.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas airplanes, that requires a one-
time inspection for damage of the power feeder cables and surrounding 
structure, and repair if necessary. For certain airplanes, this 
amendment requires fabricating and installing a power feeder support 
bracket assembly and clamps at station Y=595.000, left side. For 
certain other airplanes, this amendment requires 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: Effective January 27, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 27, 2004.

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 airplanes was published in the Federal Register on September 8, 
2003 (68 FR 52870). That action proposed to require a one-time 
inspection for damage of the power feeder cables and surrounding 
structure, and repair if necessary. For certain airplanes, that action 
proposed to require fabricating and installing a power feeder support 
bracket assembly and clamps at station Y=595.000, left side. For 
certain other airplanes, that action proposed to require installing two 
power feeder support brackets and clamps at station Y=606.000, left 
side.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received. The commenter supports the proposal.

Conclusion

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

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 
will be affected by this AD.
    It will take approximately 2 to 3 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $65 per 
work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $385 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 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 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.

[[Page 74167]]

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:

2003-25-13 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13396. 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 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 1: 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) Unless otherwise specified by this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A171, 
Revision 02, dated March 7, 2003. 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

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 27, 2004.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 11, 2003.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31193 Filed 12-22-03; 8:45 am]
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