[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 3, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9934-9935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4563]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-07-AD; Amendment 39-13500; AD 2004-05-06]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
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 amendment requires 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 necessary 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: Effective April 7, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 7, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 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: 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: 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 (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 was published in the Federal Register on 
September 18, 2003 (68 FR 54682). That action proposed to 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.

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.

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 AD.

[[Page 9935]]

    The following table shows the estimated cost impact for airplanes 
affected by this AD:

                                          Table--Cost Impact--Estimated
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                                                                  Labor cost per  Parts cost per   Maximum fleet
                     Model                          Work hours       airplane        airplane          cost
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DC-10 and MD-10 airplane.......................               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 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

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:

2004-05-06 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13500. 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin DC10-25A378, dated November 27, 2002; or Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A262, Revision 01, dated February 11, 
2003; 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 Airplanes, 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 April 7, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 20, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-4563 Filed 3-2-04; 8:45 am]
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