[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 12, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51994-51996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17829]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28351; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-074-AD; 
Amendment 39-15192; AD 2007-19-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11, MD-11F, 
DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, and 
MD-10-30F Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11, MD-11F, DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F 
(KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, and MD-10-30F airplanes. This 
AD requires measuring the electrical resistance of the bond between the 
No. 2 fuel transfer pump adapter surface of the fuel tank and the fuel 
transfer pump housing flange, and performing corrective and other 
specified actions as applicable. This AD results from a design review 
of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadequate 
bonding between the No. 2 fuel transfer pump adapter surface of the 
fuel tank and the fuel transfer pump housing flange. Inadequate bonding 
could result in a potential ignition source inside the fuel tank if the 
fuel transfer pump and structure interface are not submerged in fuel, 
which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a 
fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 17, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of October 17, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., 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: Serj Harutunian, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5254; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov 
or in person at the Docket Operations office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Operations 
office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is located on the ground floor of the 
West Building at the DOT 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 MD-11, MD-11F, DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-
10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, and MD-10-30F airplanes. That NPRM was 
published in the Federal Register on June 5, 2007 (72 FR 31003). That 
NPRM proposed to require measuring the electrical resistance of the 
bond between the No. 2 fuel transfer pump adapter surface of the fuel 
tank and the fuel transfer pump

[[Page 51995]]

housing flange, and performing corrective and other specified actions 
as applicable.

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.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 573 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 399 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The required measurement takes about 1 work hour per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of this AD for U.S. operators is $31,920, or $80 per 
airplane.

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.

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

    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):

2007-19-02 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-15192. Docket No. FAA-
2007-28351; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-074-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective October 17, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11, MD-11F, 
DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, and 
MD-10-30F airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in 
Boeing Service Bulletins DC10-28-250 and MD11-28-129, both dated 
July 26, 2006.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank 
systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadequate bonding 
between the No. 2 fuel transfer pump adapter surface of the fuel 
tank and the fuel transfer pump housing flange. Inadequate bonding 
could result in a potential ignition source inside the fuel tank if 
the fuel transfer pump and structure interface are not submerged in 
fuel, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result 
in 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.

Measure Electrical Resistance/Corrective & Other Specified Actions

    (f) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Measure the electrical resistance of the bond between the No. 2 fuel 
transfer pump adapter surface of the fuel tank and the fuel transfer 
pump housing flange in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-28-250 or MD11-28-129, 
both dated July 26, 2006, as applicable.
    (1) If the resistance measurement is 2.5 milliohms or less: No 
further action is required by this paragraph.
    (2) If the resistance measurement is more than 2.5 milliohms: 
Before further flight, electrically bond the fuel tank No. 2 fuel 
transfer pump housing surfaces in accordance with the service 
bulletin.
    (3) Before further flight thereafter, do an electrical 
resistance bonding test to verify the electrical resistance between 
the fuel transfer pump housing and the structure is 2.5 milliohms 
maximum. If that electrical resistance is not achieved, rework the 
electrical bond until the electrical resistance is achieved. Do the 
actions in accordance with the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) 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.
    (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 DC10-28-250, dated July 
26, 2006; or Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-28-129, dated July 26, 
2006; as applicable, 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 these 
documents 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.


[[Page 51996]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 31, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-17829 Filed 9-11-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P