[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 99 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29209-29210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11284]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-237-AD; Amendment 39-13642; AD 2004-10-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-30 
Airplane

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to a certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-30 airplane, that 
requires an inspection of the power feeder cable assembly of the 
auxiliary power unit (APU) for chafing, correct type of clamps, and 
proper clamp installation; and corrective actions, if necessary. This 
action is necessary to prevent the loss of the APU generator due to 
chafing of the generator power feeder cables, and consequent electrical 
arcing and smoke/fire in the APU compartment. This action is intended 
to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective June 25, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 25, 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 National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

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 a certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
DC-10-30 airplane was published in the Federal Register on March 5, 
2004 (69 FR 10366). That action proposed to require an inspection of 
the power feeder cable assembly of the auxiliary power unit (APU) for 
chafing, correct type of clamps, and proper clamp installation; and 
corrective actions, if necessary.

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

    The FAA estimates that 1 Model DC-10-30 airplane, having fuselage 
number 0106, of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required 
inspection, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the required inspection on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $65.
    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.

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.

[[Page 29210]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

2004-10-12 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13642. Docket 2002-NM-
237-AD.

    Applicability: Model DC-10-30 airplane, fuselage number 0106; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent the loss of the auxiliary power unit (APU) generator 
due to chafing of the generator power feeder cables, and consequent 
electrical arcing and smoke/fire in the APU compartment, accomplish 
the following:

Inspection and Corrective Action(s), if Necessary

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
general visual inspection of the power feeder cable assembly of the 
APU for chafing, correct type (including part number) of clamps, and 
proper clamp installation, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-
24A137, Revision 02, dated October 15, 2001.

    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.''

    (1) Condition 1. If no signs of wire chafing are found, and all 
clamps are of the correct type (including the correct part number) 
and are installed properly, no further action is required by this 
AD.
    (2) Condition 2. If any wire chafing, incorrect type of any 
clamp (including incorrect part number), or improper clamp 
installation is found, before further flight, do the applicable 
corrective action(s) (e.g., repair, replace, and modify discrepant 
part) per the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.

Actions Accomplished per Previous Issues of Service Bulletin

    (b) Accomplishment of the inspection and any applicable 
corrective actions, per Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-24-137, dated 
September 15, 1987; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A137, 
Revision 01, dated May 31, 2001; before the effective date of this 
AD, is considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of 
this AD.

Accomplishment of the Actions per AD 2001-24-22

    (c) Accomplishment of the actions specified in AD 2001-24-22, 
amendment 39-12539, is acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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

    (e) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A137, 
Revision 02, dated October 15, 2001. 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 
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information 
on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, 
or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on June 25, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 10, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-11284 Filed 5-20-04; 8:45 am]
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