[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 26, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43022-43024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14392]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-359-AD; Amendment 39-14201; AD 2005-15-12]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas 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
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation
(DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas 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, that requires
performing a functional test of the exterior emergency control handle
assemblies of the forward passenger doors, and corrective actions, if
necessary. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the forward
passenger doors to operate properly in an emergency condition, which
could delay an emergency evacuation and possibly result in injury to
passengers and flightcrew. This action is intended to address the
identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective August 30, 2005.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 30, 2005.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and
Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). This information may be
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Sujishi, Aerospace Engineer, Cabin
Safety/Mechanical and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150L, FAA, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5353; fax (562)
627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas 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
was published as a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in
the Federal Register on April 22, 2005 (70 FR 20842). That action
proposed to require performing a functional test of the exterior
emergency control handle assemblies of the forward passenger doors, and
corrective actions, if necessary.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Request To Change Description of Functional Test Criteria
One commenter requests that we revise certain criteria in the
functional test description from ``noisy operation or binding'' to
``binding.'' The commenter asserts that ``noisy operation'' is not
quantifiable and should not be used to define acceptable parameters of
door operation. The commenter states that ``binding'' is a quantifiable
metric that is sufficient to determine satisfactory door operation.
We do not agree with this request. Despite the commenter's
assertion, ``noisy operation'' is a test parameter that is widely used
to determine proper operation of mechanisms. If a mechanism is
soundless or has a sound that is typical when operating in an
acceptable manner, any such mechanism which produces an unusual sound
when operated requires investigation to determine if it is in need of
repair. In this case, the check for ``noisy operation'' within the
functional test procedure is intended to reveal whether or not a door
is approaching a binding condition and requires replacing the steel
bearings with
[[Page 43023]]
bearings made from corrosion-resistant material as specified in the
service information. We have not changed the final rule in this regard.
Explanation of Change to Table Designation
The table in paragraph (c) of the proposed AD was erroneously
identified as ``Table 2--Boeing Service Bulletins.'' In fact, there is
only one table in the proposed AD; therefore, we have reidentified this
table as ``Table 1--Boeing Service Bulletins'' in paragraph (c) of the
final rule. This change has no effect on the technical content of this
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Explanation of Change to Service Information Citations
The Boeing service information was not cited properly in paragraph
(a) of the proposed AD; those citations were incomplete. Therefore, so
operators can determine which service bulletin applies to which
affected airplanes, we have included complete citations for Boeing
Service Bulletin MD11-52-046, Revision 3, dated October 27, 2004; and
Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-52-221, Revision 2, dated October 27,
2004; in paragraph (a) of the final rule.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed, except with the
changes discussed above.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 604 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 396 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work
hour per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$25,740, or $65 per airplane, per operation.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other
administrative actions.
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 Impact
The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption
ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2005-15-12 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-14201. Docket 2001-NM-
359-AD.
Applicability: Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes; as identified
in Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-52-046, Revision 3, dated October
27, 2004; and 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, and MD-10-
30F airplanes; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-52-221,
Revision 2, dated October 27, 2004; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent failure of the forward passenger doors to operate
properly in an emergency condition, which could delay an emergency
evacuation and possibly result in injury to passengers and
flightcrew, accomplish the following:
Functional Test
(a) Within 6,000 flight hours or 18 months after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a functional test
of the exterior emergency control handle assemblies of the forward
passenger doors, by doing all actions specified in Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-52-046, Revision 3,
dated October 27, 2004 (for Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes); or
Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-52-221, Revision 2, dated October 27,
2004 (for 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, and MD-10-30F
airplanes); as applicable.
(1) If the functional test reveals no noisy operation or
binding: At intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight hours or 18 months,
whichever occurs later, repeat the functional test until the
terminating action of paragraph (b) of this AD has been
accomplished.
(2) If any functional test required by this AD reveals noisy
operation or binding: Prior to further flight, replace the steel
bearings with bearings made from corrosion-resistant material, in
accordance with the applicable service bulletin.
Optional Terminating Action
(b) Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (a)(2)
of this AD constitutes terminating action for the repetitive tests
required by paragraph (a)(1) of this AD.
Actions Accomplished per Previous Issues of Service Bulletins
(c) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in
accordance with the Boeing service bulletins listed in Table 1 of
this AD are considered acceptable for
[[Page 43024]]
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
Table 1.--Boeing service bulletins
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Boeing service bulletin Revision Date of issue
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DC10-52-221............................. Original........................ November 5, 2001.
DC10-52-221............................. 01.............................. May 6, 2002.
MD11-52-046............................. Original........................ November 5, 2001.
MD11-52-046............................. 01.............................. May 6, 2002.
MD11-52-046............................. 02.............................. October 8, 2002.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions must be
done in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-52-221,
Revision 2, dated October 27, 2004; or Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-
52-046, Revision 3, dated October 27, 2004, as applicable. This
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. To get copies of this service information, contact Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard,
Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service
Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). To inspect copies of this
service information, go to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or to the FAA, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, California; or to the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Effective Date
(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 30, 2005.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 14, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-14392 Filed 7-25-05; 8:45 am]
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