[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 123 (Monday, June 28, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36579-36581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15653]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0553; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-070-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Model DC-10-30, DC-10-30F, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-
10-40, DC10-40F, and MD-10-30F airplanes. This proposed AD would 
require doing a one-time inspection of the wire bundles to determine if 
wires touch the upper surface of the center upper auxiliary fuel tank, 
and marking the location if necessary; a one-time inspection for 
splices and damage of all wire bundles routed above the center upper 
auxiliary fuel tank; a one-time inspection for damage to the fuel vapor 
barrier seal and upper surface of the center upper auxiliary fuel tank; 
and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposed AD would also 
require installing non-metallic barrier/shield sleeving to the wire 
harnesses, new clamps, new attaching hardware, and new extruded 
channels. This proposed AD results from fuel system reviews conducted 
by the manufacturer. We are proposing this AD to prevent the potential 
of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with 
flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and 
consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 12, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, 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, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-
0001; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; e-mail 
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may 
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 425-227-1221.

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 proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (telephone 800-647-5527) is in the 
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly 
after receipt.

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 send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2010-0553; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-070-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The FAA has examined the underlying safety issues involved in fuel 
tank explosions on several large transport airplanes, including the 
adequacy of existing regulations, the service history of airplanes 
subject to those regulations, and existing maintenance practices for 
fuel tank systems. As a result of those findings, we issued a 
regulation titled ``Transport Airplane Fuel Tank System Design Review, 
Flammability Reduction and Maintenance and Inspection Requirements'' 
(66 FR 23086, May 7, 2001). In addition to new airworthiness standards 
for transport airplanes and new maintenance requirements, this rule 
included Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 (``SFAR 88,'' 
Amendment 21-78, and subsequent Amendments 21-82 and 21-83).
    Among other actions, SFAR 88 requires certain type design (i.e., 
type certificate (TC) and supplemental type certificate (STC)) holders 
to substantiate that their fuel tank systems can prevent ignition 
sources in the fuel tanks. This requirement applies to type design 
holders for large turbine-powered transport airplanes and for 
subsequent modifications to those airplanes. It

[[Page 36580]]

requires them to perform design reviews and to develop design changes 
and maintenance procedures if their designs do not meet the new fuel 
tank safety standards. As explained in the preamble to the rule, we 
intended to adopt airworthiness directives to mandate any changes found 
necessary to address unsafe conditions identified as a result of these 
reviews.
    In evaluating these design reviews, we have established four 
criteria intended to define the unsafe conditions associated with fuel 
tank systems that require corrective actions. The percentage of 
operating time during which fuel tanks are exposed to flammable 
conditions is one of these criteria. The other three criteria address 
the failure types under evaluation: Single failures, single failures in 
combination with a latent condition(s), and in-service failure 
experience. For all four criteria, the evaluations included 
consideration of previous actions taken that may mitigate the need for 
further action.
    We have determined that the actions identified in this AD are 
necessary to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel 
tanks, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result 
in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.
    Fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer have determined 
that wires routed above the center upper auxiliary fuel tank are in 
close proximity to the upper surface of the tank. In addition, some 
wire harness mounts may have loosened, allowing the wires to contact 
the tank. This condition can cause wire damage or chafing that could 
lead to possible arcing and sparking on the fuel tank upper surface. If 
not corrected, wires in contact with the fuel tank could become 
damaged, and the possible resulting arcing and sparking could lead to 
burn-through of the upper surface of the fuel tank.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-28-244, dated 
February 25, 2010. The service bulletin describes procedures for the 
following actions.
     Doing a one-time general visual inspection of the wire 
bundles to determine if wires touch the upper surface of the center 
upper auxiliary fuel tank, and marking the location(s) where the wire 
bundle(s) contacts the upper surface of the center upper auxiliary fuel 
tank.
     Doing a one-time detailed inspection of all wire bundles 
routed above the center upper auxiliary fuel tank for splices and 
damage (such as wire chafing, arcing, or broken insulation or burn 
marks), and corrective actions, which include repairing or replacing 
damaged wires, and relocating any splice; and repairing or replacing 
wires causing damage.
     Doing a one-time detailed inspection for damage (burn 
marks) on the upper surface of the center upper auxiliary fuel tank and 
fuel vapor barrier seal, and doing corrective actions, which include 
repairing the vapor barrier seal, and contacting Boeing for repair 
instructions and doing the repair.
     Installing non-metallic barrier/shield sleeving to the 
wire harnesses, new clamps, new attaching hardware, and new extruded 
channels to raise the wire harnesses off the upper surface of the 
center upper auxiliary fuel tank.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type 
designs. This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 166 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                                 Table--Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                                          Number of U.S.-
               Inspection and installation                  Work hours     Average labor       Parts         Cost per       registered      Fleet cost
                                                                           rate per hour                      product        airplanes
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Group 1 Inspection......................................              16             $85              $0          $1,360              75        $102,000
Group 1 Installation....................................             200              85          13,309          30,309              75       2,273,175
Group 2 Inspection......................................              16              85               0           1,360              58          78,880
Group 2 Installation....................................             232              85          16,660          36,380              58       2,110,040
Group 3 Inspection......................................              16              85               0           1,360              18          24,480
Group 3 Installation....................................             200              85          12,258          29,258              18         526,644
Group 4 Inspection......................................              16              85               0           1,360              15          20,400
Group 4 Installation....................................             200              85          12,372          29,372              15         440,580
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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 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 this 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.

[[Page 36581]]

    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.

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 AD:

McDonnell Douglas Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2010-0553; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-NM-070-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by August 12, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Corporation Model DC-
10-30, DC-10-30F, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC10-40F, 
and MD-10-30F airplanes, certificated in any category; as specified 
in Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-28-244, dated February 25, 2010.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD 
to reduce the potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, 
which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in 
fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.

Compliance

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

Actions

    (g) Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), and (g)(4) 
of this AD, as applicable, and do all applicable corrective actions, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service 
Bulletin DC10-28-244, dated February 25, 2010, except as required by 
paragraph (h) of this AD. Do all applicable corrective actions 
before further flight.
    (1) Do a one-time general visual inspection of the wire bundles 
to determine if wires touch the upper surface of the center upper 
auxiliary fuel tank, and mark the location as applicable.
    (2) Do a one-time detailed inspection for splices and damage of 
all wire bundles between Stations Y=1219.000 and Y=1381.000 between 
X=-40 to X=-90 (right side) and X=15 to X=85 (left side) above the 
center upper auxiliary fuel tank.
    (3) Do a one-time detailed inspection for damage (burn marks) on 
the upper surface of the center upper auxiliary fuel tank and to the 
fuel vapor barrier seal.
    (4) Install non-metallic barrier/shield sleeving to the wire 
harnesses, new clamps, new attaching hardware, and new extruded 
channels.
    (h) Where Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-28-244, dated February 
25, 2010, specifies to contact Boeing for repair instructions: 
Before further flight, repair the center upper auxiliary fuel tank 
using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified 
in paragraph (i) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (i)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if 
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion 
Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles ACO, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5262; fax (562) 
627-5210.
    (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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or 
principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a 
principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. 
The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair required by this AD if it is approved by the 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization 
(ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO to 
make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair 
must meet the certification basis of the airplane and the approval 
must specifically refer to this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 16, 2010.
Robert D. Breneman,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-15653 Filed 6-25-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P