Federal Register: March 3, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 42)

DOCID: FR Doc 04-4563

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

CFR Citation: 14 CFR Part 39

Docket ID: [Docket No. 2003-NM-07-AD; Amendment 39-13500; AD 2004-05-06]

RIN ID: RIN 2120-AA64

NOTICE: RULES

ACTION: Airworthiness directives:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Final rule.

SUBJECT CATEGORY:

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, and MD-10-30F Airplanes; and Model MD-11 and MD- 11F Airplanes

DATES: Effective April 7, 2004.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of April 7, 2004.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC1010, DC1010F, DC 1015, DC1030, DC1030F (KC10A and KDC10), DC1040, DC1040F,
MD1010F, and MD1030F airplanes; and Model MD11 and MD11F
airplanes. This amendment requires replacement of the left and right number one passenger door bolted lower sealtoretainer and girt bar view window assemblies with new, doubleflush riveted assemblies. This action is necessary to prevent the number one passenger door slide from inflating before it has cleared the slide cover, which could result in the slide being unusable during an emergency evacuation and consequent injury to passengers or airplane crewmembers. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

SUMMARY:

McDonnell Douglas,

SUPPLEMENTAL 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 DC1010, DC1010F, DC1015, DC1030, DC1030F (KC10A and KDC10), DC1040, DC1040F, MD1010F, and MD1030F airplanes; and Model MD 11 and MD11F airplanes was published in the Federal Register on September 18, 2003 (68 FR 54682). That action proposed to require replacement of the left and right number one passenger door bolted lower sealtoretainer and girt bar view window assemblies with new, doubleflush riveted assemblies.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 350 Model DC10 airplanes, and approximately 195 Model MD11 and 11F airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 263 Model DC10 airplanes and 81 Model MD11 and 11F airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this AD.

[[Page 9935]]

The following table shows the estimated cost impact for airplanes affected by this AD:
TableCost ImpactEstimated Labor cost per Parts cost per Maximum fleet Model Work hours airplane airplane cost DC10 and MD10 airplane....................... 2 $130 $6,024 $1,618,502 MD11 and 11F airplanes....................... 1 65 6,024 493,209

The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.

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
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 39AIRWORTHINESS 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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
20040506 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 3913500. Docket 2003NM07 AD.

Applicability: Model DC1010, DC1010F, DC1015, DC1030, DC1030F (KC10A and KDC10), DC1040, DC1040F, MD1010F, and
MD1030F airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC1025A378, dated November 27, 2002; and Model MD11 and MD11F airplanes, as listed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD1125A262, Revision 01, dated February 11, 2003; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent the number one passenger door slide from inflating before it has cleared the slide cover, which could result in the slide being unusable during an emergency evacuation and consequent injury to passengers or airplane crewmembers, accomplish the following:
Replacement
(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the left and right number one passenger door bolted lower sealtoretainer and girt bar view window assemblies with the new, doubleflush riveted assemblies, per the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC1025A378, dated November 27, 2002 (for Model DC1010, DC1010F, DC1015, DC1030, DC1030F
(KC10A and KDC10), DC1040, DC1040F, MD1010F, and MD1030F
airplanes), or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD1125A262, Revision 01, dated February 11, 2003 (for Model MD11 and MD11F airplanes); as applicable.
Replacements Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin (b) Replacements accomplished before the effective date of this AD per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD1125A262, dated November 27, 2002, are considered acceptable for compliance with the
corresponding action specified in this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC1025A378, dated November 27, 2002; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD1125A262, Revision 01, dated February 11, 2003; 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. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service
Management, Dept. C1L5A (D8000024). Copies may be inspected 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Effective Date

(e) This amendment becomes effective on April 7, 2004.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 20, 2004. Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 044563 Filed 3204; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 491013P

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT

Ken Sujishi, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 907124137; telephone (562) 6275353; fax (562) 6275210.