[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 107 (Tuesday, June 5, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30967-30968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-10669]



[[Page 30967]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27334; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-279-AD; 
Amendment 39-15080; AD 2007-12-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-33, -42, 
and -43 Airplanes; Model DC-8-50 Series Airplanes; Model DC-8F-54 and -
55 Airplanes; Model DC-8-60 Series Airplanes; Model DC-8-60F Series 
Airplanes; Model DC-8-72 Airplanes; and Model DC-8-70F Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain McDonnell Douglas airplanes described previously. This AD 
requires installing bonding jumpers to the airplane wing structure from 
the fuel system in-line electrical solenoid valves along the left and 
right wing front spar. This AD results from fuel system reviews 
conducted by the manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent point-
of-contact arcing or filament heating damage in the fuel lines that 
could create a potential ignition source, which, in combination with 
flammable fuel vapors, could cause a fuel tank explosion and consequent 
loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 10, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of July 10, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and 
Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for service information 
identified in this 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:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain McDonnell 
Douglas Model DC-8-33, -42, and -43 airplanes; Model DC-8-50 series 
airplanes; Model DC-8F-54 and -55 airplanes; Model DC-8-60 series 
airplanes; Model DC-8-60F series airplanes; Model DC-8-72 airplanes; 
and Model DC-8-70F series airplanes. That NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on February 26, 2007 (72 FR 8309). That NPRM proposed 
to require installing bonding jumpers to the airplane wing structure 
from the fuel system in-line electrical solenoid valves along the left 
and right wing front spar.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the 
determination of the cost to the public.

Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph

    We have revised this action to clarify the appropriate procedure 
for notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD with the 
change described previously. We have determined that this change will 
neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the 
scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 216 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 145 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this AD, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. The 
total fleet cost is estimated to be between $456,460 and $1,018,770.

                             Estimated Costs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Work                Cost per
             Airplane group               hours     Parts      airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1......................................        8     $2,508       $3,148
2......................................        9      4,237        4,957
3......................................       10      6,226        7,026
4......................................        8      4,473        5,113
5......................................        6      3,674        4,154
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

[[Page 30968]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-12-02 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-15080. Docket No. FAA-
2007-27334; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-279-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective July 10, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-33, -42, and 
-43 airplanes; Model DC-8-51, -52, -53, and -55 airplanes; Model DC-
8F-54 and -55 airplanes; Model DC-8-61, -62, and -63 airplanes; 
Model DC-8-61F, -62F, and -63F airplanes; Model DC-8-72 airplanes; 
and Model DC-8-71F, -72F, and -73F airplanes; certificated in any 
category; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin DC8-28-091, dated 
November 7, 2006.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to prevent point-of-contact 
arcing or filament heating damage in the fuel lines that could 
create a potential ignition source, which, in combination with 
flammable fuel vapors, could cause a fuel tank explosion and 
consequent loss of the airplane.

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.

Installation of Bonding Jumpers

    (f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, 
install bonding jumpers to the airplane wing structure from the fuel 
system in-line electrical solenoid valves along the left and right 
wing front spar, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Service Bulletin DC8-28-091, dated November 7, 2006.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) 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.
    (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin DC8-28-091, dated 
November 7, 2006, to perform the actions that are required by this 
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation 
by reference of this document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 
1 CFR part 51. Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach 
Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, 
Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), 
for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 25, 2007.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-10669 Filed 6-4-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P