[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 22, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14432-14434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5574]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20662; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-191-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 (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain McDonnell Douglas airplanes. This proposed AD would require 
a general visual inspection for damage to the Firex discharge pipes and 
wye assembly of the number 2 engine fire extinguishing system; and 
corrective and other specified actions, as applicable. This proposed AD 
is prompted by reports of freezing damage to the Firex discharge pipes 
and wye assembly of the number 2 engine, and one report of a level 1 
ENG FIRE AGENT LO alert during flight. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent accumulation of water in the discharge pipes and possible 
consequent freezing damage to the discharge pipes and wye assembly, 
which could lead to failure of the fire extinguishing system during a 
fire in the number 2 engine.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 6, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide Rulemaking Web Site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     By Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood 
Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service 
Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024).
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket 
number is FAA-2005-20662; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2004-NM-191-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5262; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20662; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-191-AD'' in the subject line

[[Page 14433]]

of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. We will consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may 
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    We have received reports of damage to the Firex discharge pipes and 
wye assembly of the number 2 engine of two McDonnell Douglas Model DC-
10-30F airplanes, and one report of a level 1 ENG FIRE AGENT LO alert 
during flight on a Model DC-10-30F airplane. We have also received 
reports of accumulated water being discovered in the Firex discharge 
pipes of one Model DC-10-10F airplane and two Model MD-11F airplanes. 
Investigation revealed that water can collect and remain in the 
discharge pipes. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
freezing and ice damage to the discharge pipes and wye assembly, and 
consequent failure of the fire extinguishing system during a fire in 
the number 2 engine.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-26A060, dated 
July 20, 2004 (for Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes), and Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin DC10-26A065, dated August 19, 2004 (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). The service 
bulletins describe procedures for performing a visual inspection for 
leaks, bulges, ruptures, or other damage to the Firex discharge pipes 
or wye assembly; and corrective actions and other specified actions, as 
applicable. Corrective actions include replacing the discharge pipes 
with new discharge pipes; and, if necessary, replacing the wye assembly 
with a new wye assembly. Other specified actions include modifying and 
reidentifying undamaged discharge pipes. Accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information is intended to adequately address 
the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    Although the Boeing service bulletins contain instructions to 
``visually examine'' the discharge pipes and wye assembly, this 
proposed AD would require a ``general visual inspection.'' We have 
defined this type of inspection in Note 1 of this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 530 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The following tables provide the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD. The proposed actions 
would be performed at an estimated average labor rate of $65 per work 
hour.

                                       Inspection Costs for All Airplanes
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                                                                                        Number of
                                                                          Cost per        U.S.-
                         Action                            Work hours     airplane     registered    Fleet cost
                                                                                        airplanes
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Inspection..............................................            1           $65           343       $22,295
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                             Replacement Costs for Model MD-11 and MD-11F Airplanes
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                                                                                        Number of
                                                                          Cost per        U.S.-
                  Action                     Work hours    Parts cost     airplane     registered    Fleet cost
                                                                                        airplanes
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Replace discharge pipe....................            2        $7,170        $7,300           195    $1,423,500
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 Replacement Costs for 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
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                                                                                         Number of
                                                                             Cost per      U.S.-
            Group                   Action        Work hours   Parts cost    airplane    registered   Fleet cost
                                                                                         airplanes
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1............................  Replace                     2       $7,170       $7,300          231   $1,686,300
                                discharge pipe.

[[Page 14434]]

 
2............................  Replace                     2        8,794        8,924           16      142,784
                                discharge pipe.
3............................  Replace                     2        7,170        7,300           11       80,300
                                discharge pipe.
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Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

McDonnell Douglas: Docket No. FAA-2005-20662; Directorate Identifier 
2004-NM-191-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by May 6, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to 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 as identified in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-26A065, dated August 19, 2004; 
and Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-26A060, dated July 20, 2004; certificated in 
any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of freezing damage to the 
Firex discharge pipes and wye assembly of the number 2 engine, and 
one report of a level 1 ENG FIRE AGENT LO alert during flight. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent accumulation of water in the 
discharge pipes and possible consequent freezing damage to the 
discharge pipes and wye assembly, which could lead to failure of the 
fire extinguishing system during a fire in the number 2 engine.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspection and Corrective and Other Specified Actions

    (f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a general visual inspection for damage to the Firex 
discharge pipes and wye assembly of the fire extinguishing system of 
the number 2 engine, and corrective and other specified actions; by 
doing all the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-26A060, dated July 20, 2004 
(for Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes); or Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin DC10-26A065, dated August 19, 2004 (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); as applicable. Do 
the corrective and other specified actions, as applicable, prior to 
further flight.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``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 
ensure visual access to all 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.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 9, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5574 Filed 3-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P