[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 1, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31462-31464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-12592]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1044; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-033-AD; 
Amendment 39-16704; AD 2011-11-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company 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; Model MD-10-10F, MD-10-30F, MD-11, and MD-11F Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for the products listed above. That AD currently requires an inspection 
to determine if a certain fuel pump housing electrical connector is 
installed. The existing AD also requires a revision to the FAA-approved 
airplane flight manual (AFM) to advise the flightcrew of the 
appropriate procedures for disabling certain fuel pump electrical 
circuits following failure of a fuel pump housing electrical connector 
if applicable. The existing AD also requires the deactivation of 
certain fuel tanks or fuel pumps and the installation of placards if 
applicable. The existing AD allows the optional replacement of the fuel 
pump housing electrical connectors with new, improved parts, which 
would terminate the AFM revisions, deactivation of certain fuel tanks 
and fuel pumps, and placard installation. This new AD instead requires 
replacing the fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly with a 
new part and doing repetitive inspections for continuity, resistance, 
and insulation resistance, and doing corrective actions if necessary. 
This AD was prompted by reports of failures of a certain fuel pump 
housing electrical connector. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct insulation resistance degradation and arcing in the potted 
backside of the electrical connector assembly of the fuel boost/
transfer pump housing, which could compromise its performance and cause 
an ignition source in the fuel tank, resulting in a fuel tank explosion 
and consequent loss of the airplane.

DATES: This AD is effective July 6, 2011.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 6, 2011.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is 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: Philip Kush, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
phone: 562-627-5263; fax: 562-627-5210.; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede airworthiness directive (AD) 2007-15-05, amendment 
39-15134 (72 FR 40216, July 24, 2007). That AD applies to the specified 
products. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 5, 
2010 (75 FR 68246). That NPRM proposed to require replacing the fuel 
pump housing electrical assembly with a new part and doing repetitive 
inspections for continuity, resistance, and insulation resistance, and 
doing corrective actions, if necessary.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request for Addition of Part Number

    FedEx requested that we add, in the header above the Summary and 
paragraphs (c), (e), and (f) of the proposed AD, the part number of the 
fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly requiring replacement. 
FedEx stated that the change will clarify the AD and avoid unnecessary 
work and cost to the operators.
    We partially agree with the commenter. We disagree with adding the 
part number of the fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly 
requiring replacement to the header information, paragraph (c), and 
paragraph (f) of this AD because the affected part could be rotated 
onto any of the airplanes listed in the applicability. However, we 
agree that clarification of paragraph (h) of this AD (referred to as 
paragraph (g) in the NPRM) is needed. In order to comply with this AD, 
for all airplanes in the applicability it must be determined if the 
fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly having part number (P/
N) 60-84355-1 is installed. We have added paragraph (g) to specify the 
inspection to determine the part number. We have also added a reference 
of P/N 60-84355-1 to paragraph (h) of this AD for clarification. In 
addition, we have added a reference of P/N 60-84355-1 to paragraph (e) 
of this AD for clarification.

[[Page 31463]]

Clarification of Paragraph (i) of This AD

    We have revised paragraph (i) of this AD by replacing the phrase, 
``replacing the fuel pump electrical connector assembly as required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD'' with the phrase, ``installing the fuel pump 
housing electrical connector assembly having P/N 60-84351, in 
accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-28A261 or Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A143,'' to clarify that P/N 60-84351 must 
be repetitively inspected after installation.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD with the change described previously--and minor editorial changes. 
We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 281 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                                     Number of U.S.-
              Action                    Work hours        Average labor          Parts           Cost per airplane     registered         Fleet cost
                                                          rate per hour                                                 airplanes
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Inspection.......................  Between 20 and 36                $85  $0..................  Between $1,700 and               281  Between $477,700
                                    per inspection                                              $3,060 per                            and $859,860 per
                                    cycle.                                                      inspection cycle.                     inspection cycle.
Replacement......................  Up to 44............              85  Up to $4,478........  Up to $8,218........             281  Up to $2,309,258.
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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 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2007-15-05, Amendment 39-15134 (72 FR 40216, July 24, 2007), and adding 
the following new AD:

2011-11-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16704; Docket No. FAA-
2010-1044; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-033-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 6, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2007-15-05, Amendment 39-15134.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all The Boeing Company 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, 
certificated in any category.

Subject

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

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD results from reports of failures of the fuel pump 
housing electrical connector having P/N 60-84355-1. The Federal 
Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to detect and correct 
insulation resistance degradation and arcing in the potted backside 
of the electrical connector assembly of the fuel boost/transfer pump 
housing, which could compromise its performance and cause an 
ignition source in the fuel tank, resulting in a fuel tank explosion 
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.

Inspection and Change

    (g) For all airplanes: Within 10 months after the effective date 
of this AD, do an inspection of the fuel pump housing electrical 
connector to determine if part number (P/N) 60-84355-1 is installed. 
A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of 
this inspection if the part number of the fuel pump housing 
electrical connector can be conclusively determined from that 
review.
    (h) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, any airplane is determined to have fuel pump housing electrical 
connector assembly having P/N 60-84355-1: Within 10 months after the 
effective

[[Page 31464]]

date of this AD, do the actions in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of 
this AD, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-28A261, dated December 1, 2009; 
or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A143, dated December 2, 
2009; as applicable.
    (1) Replace the fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly 
having P/N 60-84355-1 with new P/N 60-84351; or
    (2) Do the actions required by paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and 
(h)(2)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Using a digital multi-meter, do a continuity, resistance, 
and insulation resistance inspection from the terminal strip through 
the fuel boost/transfer pump; and all applicable corrective actions 
specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-28A261, dated 
December 1, 2009; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A143, 
dated December 2, 2009; as applicable. Do all applicable corrective 
actions before further flight.
    (ii) Within 12 months after accomplishing the inspection 
required by paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this AD: Replace the fuel pump 
housing electrical connector assembly having P/N 60-84355-1 with a 
new fuel pump housing electrical connector assembly having P/N 60-
84351.
    (i) Before further flight after installing the new fuel pump 
housing electrical connector assembly, insert the applicable interim 
operating procedure regarding abnormal operations for failure of the 
fuel pump housing electrical connector into the Procedures section 
of the applicable Boeing airplane flight manual, in accordance with 
the applicable service information identified in Table 1 of this AD.

                                          Table 1--Service Information
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            Bulletin--                         Date--                                 To the--
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Boeing DC-10 Operations Bulletin   January 25, 2010..............  Boeing DC-10 Flight Crew Operating Manual.
 2-001B.
Boeing MD-10 Flight Crew           January 25, 2010..............  Boeing MD-10 Flight Crew Operations Manual.
 Operations Manual Advisory
 Bulletin 2-01B.
Boeing MD-11 Flight Crew           January 25, 2010..............  Boeing MD-11 Flight Crew Operations Manual.
 Operations Manual Advisory
 Bulletin 2-05C.
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Repetitive Inspections for P/N 60-84351

    (j) Within 18 months after installing the fuel pump housing 
electrical connector assembly having P/N 60-84351, in accordance 
with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-28A261 or Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-28A143: Do a continuity, resistance, and 
insulation resistance inspection from the terminal strip through the 
fuel boost/transfer pump, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-28A261, dated 
December 1, 2009; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A143, 
dated December 2, 2009; as applicable. Do all applicable corrective 
actions before further flight in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-28A261, dated 
December 1, 2009; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A143, 
dated December 2, 2009; as applicable. Repeat the inspections 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 18 months.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k)(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. In accordance 
with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or 
local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the ACO, send it to ATTN: Philip Kush, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
California 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5263; fax: 562-627-5210; e-
mail: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use the service information contained in table 2 of 
this AD, as applicable, to do the actions required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise.

             Table 2--All Material Incorporated by Reference
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              Document                               Date
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Boeing Alert Service Bulletin         December 1, 2009.
 DC10[dash]28A261.
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin         December 2, 2009.
 MD11[dash]28A143.
Boeing DC-10 Operations Bulletin      January 25, 2010.
 2[dash]001B to the Boeing DC-10
 Flight Crew Operating Manual.
Boeing MD-10 Flight Crew Operations   January 25, 2010.
 Manual Advisory Bulletin 2-01B to
 the Boeing MD-10 Flight Crew
 Operations Manual.
Boeing MD-11 Flight Crew Operations   January 25, 2010.
 Manual Advisory Bulletin 2-05C to
 the Boeing MD-11 Flight Crew
 Operations Manual.
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(The document number of Boeing DC-10 Operations Bulletin 2-001B is 
specified only on the first page of the document.)
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information contained in 
table 2 of this AD under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this 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.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, 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 May 12, 2011.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-12592 Filed 5-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P