[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 66 (Thursday, April 7, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17618-17620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6910]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20882; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-241-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, MD-10-30F, 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 identified above. This proposed 
AD would require repetitive functional tests for noisy or improper 
operation of the exterior emergency control handle assemblies of the 
mid, overwing, and aft passenger doors, and corrective actions if 
necessary. This proposed AD also would provide for optional terminating 
action for the repetitive tests. This proposed AD is prompted by a 
report that the exterior emergency control mechanism handles were 
inoperative on a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 airplane. We are proposing 
this AD to prevent failure of the passenger doors to operate properly 
in an emergency condition, which could delay an emergency evacuation 
and possibly result in injury to passengers and flightcrew.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 23, 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-2005-20882; the directorate identifier for this 
docket is 2004-NM-241-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Sujishi, Aerospace Engineer; Cabin 
Safety, Mechanical, and Environmental Branch; ANM-150L; 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

    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-2005-20882; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-241-AD'' in the subject line 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

[[Page 17619]]

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 a report indicating that an operator found, during 
a heavy maintenance visit, that the emergency control mechanism handles 
of the mid, overwing, and aft passenger doors were inoperative on a 
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 airplane. Investigation revealed that the six 
steel bearings in each control mechanism were corroded and had seized. 
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of the 
passenger doors to operate properly in an emergency condition, which 
could delay an emergency evacuation and possibly result in injury to 
passengers and flightcrew.

Similar Models

    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, MD-10-30F, and MD-11F airplanes is almost 
identical to that on the affected Model MD-11 airplanes. Therefore, all 
of these models may be subject to the same unsafe condition.

Other Related Rulemaking

    Operators should note that a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), 
docket identifier 2001-NM-359-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, MD-10-30F, MD-11 and 
MD-11F airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on November 12, 
2003 (68 FR 64006). That NPRM proposed to require repetitive operation 
of the exterior emergency door handle of the forward passenger door to 
determine if binding exists in the exterior emergency control handle 
mechanism, and corrective actions if necessary.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-52-044 and 
Service Bulletin DC10-52-219; both Revision 1; both dated September 3, 
2004. The service bulletins describe procedures for, among other 
things, repetitive functional tests for noisy or improper operation of 
the exterior emergency control handle assemblies of the mid, overwing, 
and aft passenger doors, and corrective actions if necessary. 
Corrective actions include replacing the steel bearings with bearings 
made from corrosion-resistant material. The service bulletins also 
indicate that replacing the steel bearings as described provides 
optional terminating action for the repetitive tests. 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.
    Operators should note that this proposed AD allows operators to 
continue the repetitive functional tests instead of doing the 
terminating action. In making this determination, the FAA considers 
that, in the case of this AD, long-term continued operational safety is 
adequately assured by doing the repetitive functional tests to detect 
binding before it represents a hazard to the airplane, and by doing 
corrective actions within the specified time limits.

Clarification of Service Information

    The service information also describes procedures for installing 
lube fittings in the emergency control handle assemblies to minimize 
the possibility that binding of the exterior door free fall handle 
mechanisms would prevent the passenger doors from free falling to the 
closed position. Installing the lube fittings does not help to correct 
the unsafe condition specified by this proposed AD and would therefore 
not be required by this proposed AD.
    The service information is applicable to all mid, overwing, and aft 
passenger doors. However, some of these doors may have been fastened 
shut to render them inoperable according to some approved freighter 
configurations. Such doors would not be subject to the requirements of 
this proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 633 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 218 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour, for U.S. operators to comply 
with this proposed AD.

                                           Test and Modification Costs
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                                                  Work     Parts                                         Fleet
                    Action                       hours      cost            Cost per airplane             cost
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Functional test...............................        1        N/A  $65 per test cycle...............    $14,170
Replace bearings..............................        6       $825  1,215 per door, if required......        N/A
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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.

[[Page 17620]]

    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-2005-20882; Directorate Identifier 
2004-NM-241-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by May 23, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the airplanes identified in Table 1 of 
this AD; certificated in any category.

                         Table 1.--Applicability
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             Airplane model                Applicable service bulletin
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DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-    McDonnell Douglas Service
 30, DC-10-30F airplanes (KC-10A and      Bulletin DC10-52-219, Revision
 KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-     1, dated September 3, 2004.
 10F, MD-10-30F airplanes.
MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes.............  McDonnell Douglas Service
                                          Bulletin MD11-52-044, Revision
                                          1, dated September 3, 2004.
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Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the 
exterior emergency control mechanism handles of the mid, overwing 
and aft passenger doors were inoperative. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the passenger doors to operate properly in an 
emergency condition, which could delay an emergency evacuation and 
possibly result in injury to passengers and flightcrew.

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.

Service Bulletin Reference

    (f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the 
Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 
MD11-52-044, Revision 1, and Service Bulletin DC10-52-219, Revision 
1; both dated September 3, 2004; as applicable.

Functional Test

    (g) Within 6,000 flight hours or 18 months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a functional test 
of the exterior emergency control handle assemblies of the mid, 
overwing, and aft passenger doors; by doing all actions specified in 
the applicable service bulletin, except as provided by paragraph (i) 
of this AD.
    (1) If the functional test reveals no noisy operation or 
binding: Repeat the functional test at intervals not to exceed 6,000 
flight hours or 18 months, whichever occurs later, until the 
terminating action of paragraph (h) of this AD has been 
accomplished.
    (2) If any functional test required by this AD reveals noisy 
operation or binding: Prior to further flight, replace the steel 
bearings with bearings made from corrosion-resistant material in 
accordance with the applicable service bulletin.

Optional Terminating Action

    (h) Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (g)(2) 
of this AD constitutes terminating action for the repetitive tests 
required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD only for the modified doors.

Inoperable Doors

    (i) Any mid, overwing, or aft passenger door that has been 
fastened shut and rendered inoperable according to some approved 
airplane freighter configuration is not subject to the requirements 
of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (j) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 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 31, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6910 Filed 4-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P