Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 Series Airplanes and Model KC-10A (Military) Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-112-AD; Amendment 39-8815; AD 94-03-08]

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 Series

Airplanes and Model KC-10A (Military) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive

(AD), applicable to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 series airplanes and

Model KC-10A (military) airplanes, that currently requires certain

structural modifications and inspections. This amendment requires

additional structural modifications and inspections. This amendment is

prompted by an evaluation by the Model DC-10 Task Group, which

identified additional modifications for mandatory action. The actions

specified by this AD are intended to prevent degradation in the

structural capabilities of the affected airplanes. This action also

reflects the FAA's decision that long-term continued operational safety

should be assured by actual modification of the airframe, where

feasible, rather than only repetitive inspections for known service

problems.

DATES: Effective March 21, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC-

K1571, ``DC-10/KC-10 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements

Document,'' Revision B, dated March 24, 1993, as listed in the

regulations, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of

March 21, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC-

K1571, ``DC-10/KC-10 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements

Document,'' Revision A, dated February 28, 1990, as listed in the

regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal

Register as of September 10, 1990 (55 FR 31816, August 6, 1990).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be

obtained from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach,

California 90801-1771, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical

Publications--Technical Administrative Support, C1-L5B. This

information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street,

Long Beach, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800

North Capitol Street NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maureen Moreland, Aerospace Engineer,

Airframe Branch, ANM-121L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long

Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-5238; fax (310) 988-

5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations by superseding AD 90-16-04, Amendment 39-6613 (55

FR 31816, August 6, 1990), which is applicable to McDonnell Douglas

Model DC-10 series airplanes and Model KC-10A (military) airplanes, was

published in the Federal Register on October 12, 1993 (58 FR 52717).

The action proposed to supersede AD 90-16-04 to require additional

structural modifications and inspections.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate

in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to

the two comments received.

The commenters support the proposed rule.

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.

There are approximately 426 Model DC-10 series airplanes and Model

KC-10A (military) airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide

fleet.

The FAA estimates that 194 airplanes of U.S. registry were

originally affected by AD 90-16-04. The requirements of that AD were

estimated to take approximately 360 work hours at a current average

labor rate of $55 per work hour. The cost for required modification

kits was estimated to be $9,600 per airplane. Based on these figures,

the FAA estimated that the total cost impact of AD 90-16-04 on U.S.

operators would be $5,703,600, or $29,400 per airplane, over the

initial 4-year time period. (These figures do not include the cost of

downtime, planning, set-up, familiarization, or tool acquisition.)

The FAA estimates that a total of 269 airplanes of U.S. registry

will be affected by the new requirements specified in this AD. This

increase in the number of affected airplanes is due to various reasons,

including transfer of ownership and the fact that additional airplanes

have accumulated time-in-service since the issuance of AD 90-16-04 and

have now reached the threshold for modification/inspection. The new

additional requirements contained in this AD action will take

approximately 796 additional work hours per airplane to accomplish, at

an average labor rate of $55 per work hour. Required parts will cost an

additional $101,900 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total

additional cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be

$39,187,920, or $145,680 per airplane, over a 4-year time period.

(These figures do not include the cost of downtime, planning, set-up,

familiarization, and tool acquisition.)

The figures discussed above are based on the assumption that no

operator has yet accomplished the currently required or the newly

required requirements of this AD action. However, the FAA has been

advised that various modifications that are required by this AD have

previously been accomplished on many of the affected airplanes.

Therefore, the future total cost impact of this AD is less that the

figure shown.

Additional airplanes will be affected as they accumulate time-in-

service and reach the threshold for modification/inspection.

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct

effects 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, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final

rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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 14 CFR part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-6613 (55 FR

31816, August 6, 1990), and by adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD), amendment 39-8815, to read as follows:

94-03-08 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-8815. Docket 93-NM-112-AD.

Supersedes AD 90-16-04, Amendment 39-6613.

Applicability: Model DC-10-10, -10F, -15, -30, -30F, -40, and -

40F series airplanes and Model KC-10A (military) airplanes,

certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

Note 1: Paragraphs (a) and (c) of this AD restate the

requirements for an initial inspection and the repetitive

inspections contained in paragraphs A. and C. of AD 90-16-04.

Therefore, for operators who have previously accomplished at least

the initial inspection in accordance with AD 90-16-04, paragraphs

(a) and (c) of this AD require that the next scheduled inspection be

performed within the specified repetitive inspection interval after

the last inspection performed in accordance with paragraphs A. and

C. of AD 90-16-04.

Note 2: Paragraphs (b) and (d) of this AD restate the

modification requirements of paragraphs B. and D. of AD 90-16-04. As

allowed by the phrase, ``unless accomplished previously,'' if the

requirements of paragraphs B. and D. of AD 90-16-04 have been

accomplished previously, paragraphs (b) and (d) of this AD do not

require that they be repeated.

To prevent structural failure, accomplish the following:

(a) For service bulletins other than those identified in

paragraph (c) of this AD, within the threshold for inspections

specified in the service bulletins listed in Table 2.1 of McDonnell

Douglas Report No. MDC-K1571, ``DC-10/KC-10 Aging Aircraft Service

Action Requirements Document,'' Revision A, dated February 28, 1990

(hereafter referred to as the ``SARD, Revision A''), or Revision B,

dated March 24, 1993 (hereafter referred to as the ``SARD, Revision

B''), or within one repetitive inspection period specified in those

service bulletins after September 10, 1990 (the effective date of AD

90-16-04, Amendment 39-6613), whichever occurs later, inspect for

cracks in accordance with those service bulletins. Repeat these

inspections thereafter at the intervals specified in the service

bulletins listed in Table 2.1 of the SARD, Revision A or Revision B.

(1) If any crack is found as a result of any inspection, prior

to further flight, either accomplish the terminating modification in

accordance with the applicable service bulletin, or repair in

accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles

Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate.

Note 3: Detection of any discrepancies other than cracking

necessitates appropriate corrective action in accordance with the

provisions of part 43 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR).

(2) Modification in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD

terminates the individual inspection requirements of the applicable

service bulletin.

(b) For service bulletins other than those identified in

paragraph (c) of this AD, prior to reaching the incorporation

thresholds listed in the SARD, Revision A or Revision B, or prior to

four years after September 10, 1990, whichever occurs later,

accomplish the structural modifications specified in the service

bulletins listed under ``S/B No. Rev.'' in Table 2.1 of the SARD,

Revision A or Revision B.

Note 4: The service bulletin revision levels listed under

``Recommended Modification'' in Table 2.1 of the SARD, Revision B,

are acceptable revisions for modifications accomplished prior to

September 10, 1990.

Note 5: The modifications required by this paragraph do not

terminate the inspection requirements of any other AD unless that AD

specifies that any such modification constitutes terminating action

for the inspection requirements.

(c) For McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletins A30-37, 30-38, 53-

16, 53-19, 53-25, 54-11, 54-27, 54-33, 55-2, and 57-7, listed in

Table 2.1 of the SARD, Revision A; and for McDonnell Douglas Service

Bulletins A30-37, 30-38, 53-16, 53-19, 53-25, 54-11, 54-27, 55-2,

and 57-7, listed in Table 2.1 of the SARD, Revision B: Within the

threshold for inspections listed under ``S/B Change Required'' in

Table 2.1 of the SARD, Revision A or Revision B, or within one

repetitive inspection period specified under ``S/B Change Required''

in Table 2.1 of the SARD, Revision A or Revision B, after September

10, 1990, whichever occurs later, inspect for cracks in accordance

with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft

Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.

Repeat these inspections thereafter at the intervals specified under

``S/B Change Required'' in Table 2.1 of the SARD, Revision A or

Revision B.

(1) If any crack is found during any inspection, prior to

further flight, either accomplish the terminating modification in

accordance with the applicable service bulletin, or repair in

accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO,

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.

(2) Modification in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD

terminates the individual inspection requirements of the applicable

service bulletin.

(d) Prior to four years after September 10, 1990, accomplish the

structural modifications stipulated in the service bulletins

specified in paragraph (c) of this AD.

(e) Within the threshold for inspections specified in the

service bulletins listed in Table 2.2 of the SARD, Revision B, or

within one repetitive inspection period specified in those service

bulletins after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs

later, inspect for cracks in accordance with those service

bulletins. Repeat these inspections thereafter at the intervals

specified in the service bulletins listed in Table 2.2 of the SARD,

Revision B.

(1) If any crack is found during any inspection, prior to

further flight, either accomplish the terminating modification in

accordance with the applicable service bulletin, or repair in

accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO,

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.

(2) Modification in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD

terminates the individual inspection requirements of the applicable

service bulletin.

(f) Prior to reaching the incorporation thresholds listed in the

SARD, Revision B, or within four years after the effective date of

this AD, whichever occurs later, accomplish the structural

modifications specified in the service bulletins listed in Table 2.2

of the SARD, Revision B.

Note 6: The service bulletin revision levels listed under

``Recommended Modification'' in Table 2.2 of the SARD, Revision B,

are acceptable revisions for modifications accomplished prior to the

effective date of this AD.

Note 7: The modifications required by this paragraph do not

terminate the inspection requirements of any other AD unless that AD

specifies that any such modification constitutes terminating action

for the inspection requirements.

(g) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through

an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add

comments and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

Note 8: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

(h) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR

21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the

requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(i) The inspections, and modification shall be done in

accordance with McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC-K1571, ``DC-10/KC-

10 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements Document,'' Revision

A, dated February 28, 1990; or McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC

K1571, ``DC-10/KC-10 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements

Document'', Revision B, dated March 24, 1993, which contains the

following list of effective pages:

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Revision sym shown on

Page No. page Date shown on page

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Pages xiii and xiv-..... (Not shown on these March 24, 1993.

pages).

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The incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas Report No. MDC

K1571, ``DC-10/KC-10 Aging Aircraft Service Action Requirements

Document'', Revision B, dated March 24, 1993, is approved by the

Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and

1 CFR part 51. The incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas

Report No. MDC-K1571, ``DC-10/KC-10 Aging Aircraft Service Action

Requirements Document,'' Revision A, dated February 28, 1990, was

approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register in

accordance 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of September 10, 1990

(55 FR 31816, August 6, 1990). Copies may be obtained from McDonnell

Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach, California 90801-1771,

Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical Publications--Technical

Administrative Support, C1-L5B. Copies may be inspected at the FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles

Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach,

California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(j) This amendment becomes effective on March 21, 1994.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 28, 1994.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-2412 Filed 2-16-94; 8:45 am]

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