[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 86 (Friday, May 2, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24155-24157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-9439]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0015; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-328-AD; 
Amendment 39-15498; AD 2008-09-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-
10-10F, DC-10-15, and MD-10-10F Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, and MD-10-10F 
airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for the presence of 
stray nickel or chrome plating deposits on the air filler valve bore of 
certain main landing gear (MLG) shock strut cylinders, and if 
necessary, related investigative and corrective actions. Doing the 
corrective action terminates the repetitive inspections. This AD 
results from a report of a left MLG collapse during landing rollout. We 
are issuing this AD to detect and correct stray nickel and chrome 
plating deposits, corrosion, and cracking of the air filler valve bore 
on the MLG cylinder, which could result in landing gear failure, 
significant damage to the airplane, and injury to personnel.

DATES: This AD is effective June 6, 2008.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 6, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this 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).

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is the Document Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, 
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maureen Moreland, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5238; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to 
certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, and MD-
10-10F airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
January 14, 2008 (73 FR 2206). That NPRM proposed to require repetitive 
inspections for the presence of stray nickel or chrome plating deposits 
on the air filler valve bore of certain main landing gear (MLG) shock 
strut cylinders, and if necessary, related investigative and corrective 
actions. Doing the corrective action would terminate the repetitive 
inspections.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We considered the comment received from the commenter.

Support for the NPRM

    The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), supports the 
intent of the NPRM.

Request To Reduce the Compliance Time

    ALPA requests that we reduce the 24-month compliance time for the 
airplanes identified in paragraph (f)(2) of the NPRM. ALPA requests the 
reduction in compliance time due to the stated severity of a landing 
gear failure, the relatively short inspection times, and the low 
estimated inspection costs.
    We do not agree to reduce the compliance time specified in 
paragraph (f)(2) of this AD. In developing the compliance time for this 
AD action, we considered not only the safety implications of the 
identified unsafe

[[Page 24156]]

condition, but the average utilization rate of the affected fleet, the 
practical aspects of an orderly inspection of the fleet during regular 
maintenance periods, and the availability of replacement parts. In 
addition, we also considered the manufacturer's recommendation for an 
appropriate compliance time. After considering all the available 
information, we determined that the 24-month compliance time represents 
an appropriate interval of time in which the required actions can be 
performed in a timely manner within the affected fleet, while still 
maintaining an adequate level of safety. However, if additional data 
are presented that would justify a shorter compliance time, we might 
consider further rulemaking on this issue. We have not changed this AD 
in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 75 airplanes of U.S. registry. The 
following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to 
comply with this AD.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                   Number of
                                   Work     Average                                                  U.S.-
             Action               hours    labor rate               Cost per product               registered                  Fleet cost
                                            per hour                                               airplanes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.....................        4          $80  $320, per inspection cycle...............           75  $24,000, per inspection cycle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    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.
    You can find our regulatory evaluation and the estimated costs of 
compliance in the AD Docket.

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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2008-09-17 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-15498. Docket No. FAA-
2008-0015; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-328-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 6, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-10-
10F, DC-10-15, and MD-10-10F airplanes, certificated in any 
category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-
32A259, dated October 30, 2007.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report of a left main landing gear 
(MLG) collapse during landing rollout. We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct stray nickel and chrome plating deposits, 
corrosion, and cracking of the air filler valve bore on the MLG 
cylinder, which could result in landing gear failure, significant 
damage to the airplane, and injury to personnel.

Compliance

    (e) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

Inspections and Corrective Actions

    (f) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (f)(1), 
(f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD, do a video probe inspection for the 
presence of stray nickel or chrome plating deposits on the air 
filler valve bore of the MLG shock strut cylinders, and before 
further flight, do all applicable related investigative and 
corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-32A259, dated 
October 30, 2007. Repeat the video probe inspection thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 2,400 flight cycles or 20 months, whichever 
occurs first. Accomplishment of the repair specified in Part 2 of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin or the 
replacement specified in Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of the service bulletin terminates the repetitive inspections for 
that MLG shock strut cylinder.
    (1) For passenger airplanes: Within 24 months after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (2) For freighter airplanes with MLG cylinders that have 
accumulated fewer than 7,200 flight cycles in a freighter 
configuration as of the effective date of this AD: Within 24 months 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (3) For freighter airplanes with MLG cylinders that have 
accumulated 7,200 flight cycles or more in a freighter configuration 
as of the effective date of this AD: Within 6 months after the 
effective date of this AD.

[[Page 24157]]

Parts Installation

    (g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
MLG shock strut cylinder assembly, part number ARG7002-1, -501, -
503, or -505, on any airplane, unless the air filler valve bore hole 
has been oversized and closing action has been accomplished in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-32A259, dated 
October 30, 2007, and the MLG shock strut cylinder assembly has been 
permanently identified with part number SB10320259-3 adjacent to the 
existing ARG7002 part number.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, ATTN: Maureen Moreland, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe 
Branch, ANM-120L, Los Angeles ACO, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5238; fax (562) 
627-5210; has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested using 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

    (i) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-32A259, 
dated October 30, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this 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).
    (3) You may review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 18, 2008.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-9439 Filed 5-1-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P