Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 and Model MD-11 Series Airplanes and KC-10A (Military) Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-NM-150-AD]

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 and Model

MD-11 Series Airplanes and KC-10A (Military) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing

airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model

DC-10 series airplanes and KC-10A (military) airplanes and certain

Model MD-11 series airplanes, that currently requires inspections to

determine the serial numbers and to detect defects in the upper and

lower lock links on the nose landing gear (NLG), and rework or

replacement of any defective link with a serviceable link. The actions

specified by that AD are intended to prevent collapse of the NLG. This

action would require accomplishment of a certain inspection that would

constitute terminating action for the currently required inspections.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 6, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-NM-150-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,

Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this location

between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal

holidays.

The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be

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

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

Administrative Support, Dept. L51, M.C. 2-98; telephone (310) 593-9795.

This information may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification

Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For Model DC-10 series airplanes and

Model KC-10A (military) airplanes: Maureen Moreland, Aerospace

Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-121L, FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount

Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (310) 627-5238; fax

(310) 627-5210.

For Model MD-11 series airplanes: Wahib Mina, Aerospace Engineer,

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

Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,

Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (310) 627-5324; fax (310) 627-

5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the

proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as

they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number

and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All

communications received on or before the closing date for comments,

specified above, will be considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in

light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All

comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing

date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested

persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with

the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments

to Docket Number 94-NM-150-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request

to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, Attention: Rules

Docket No. 94-NM-150-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington

98055-4056.

Discussion

On August 25, 1994, the FAA issued AD 94-18-07, amendment 39-9020

(59 FR 44900, August 31, 1994), applicable to all McDonnell Douglas

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

certain Model MD-11 series airplanes, to require inspections to

determine the serial numbers and to detect defects in the upper and

lower lock links on the nose landing gear (NLG), and rework or

replacement of any defective link with a serviceable link. That AD also

provided optional terminating action for the required inspections. That

action was prompted by reports of defects found on certain lock links.

The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent collapse of the

NLG.

As discussed in the preamble to AD 94-18-07, continuing

investigation of the lock links revealed that, during manufacture,

these links may not have been inspected properly using a fluorescent

penetrant inspection (FPI) method. After manufacture of a lock link,

its material is etched and an FPI is performed to detect forging

defects. The FPI accomplished on the affected lock links was performed

without accomplishment of the etching process. Forging defects in these

lock links could result in eventual failure of the lock link and

subsequent collapse of the NLG.

AD 94-18-07 contained a provision for accomplishment of an optional

terminating action (performing an FPI), which, if accomplished, would

constitute terminating action for the currently required repetitive

inspections. In the preamble to AD 94-18-07, the FAA indicated that it

was considering further rulemaking to require accomplishment of that

optional terminating action. This action proposes such a requirement.

The FAA previously reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas DC-10

Alert Service Bulletin A32-238 and MD-11 Alert Service Bulletin A32-47,

both dated July 15, 1994, which describe procedures for an off-aircraft

FPI inspection (Phase III inspection) to detect defects in the upper

and lower lock links on the NLG, and rework or replacement of any

defective link. This inspection includes etching of the link material

prior to accomplishing the FPI. Accomplishment of this inspection and

rework of any defective lock link found during that inspection will

ensure that all forging defects are detected and will eliminate the

need for the repetitive inspections required currently by AD 94-18-07.

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to

exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the

proposed AD would supersede AD 94-18-07 to continue to require

inspections to determine the serial numbers and to detect defects in

the upper and lower lock links on the NLG, and rework of any defective

lock link, or replacement of any defective lock link with a serviceable

lock link. This action also would require an off-aircraft FPI (Phase

III inspection) to detect defects in the upper and lower lock links on

the NLG, and rework or replacement of any defective link.

Accomplishment of the FPI would constitute terminating action for the

repetitive inspections required currently by AD 94-18-07. The actions

would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the applicable

alert service bulletin described previously.

As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport

Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general,

some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes

that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that

have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. Under

these circumstances, at least one operator appears to have incorrectly

assumed that its airplane was not subject to an AD. On the contrary,

all airplanes identified in the applicability provision of an AD are

legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered or repaired

in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance with the AD,

the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval for an

alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with the

paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has been

included in this notice to clarify this requirement.

There are approximately 534 Model DC-10 and MD-11 series airplanes

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

worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 310 airplanes of U.S. registry

would be affected by this proposed AD.

The inspections that were required previously by AD 94-18-07, and

retained in this AD, take approximately 4.5 work hours per airplane to

accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on

these figures, the total cost impact of the inspection requirements of

AD 94-18-07 on U.S. operators is estimated to be $83,700, or $270 per

airplane, per inspection cycle.

The fluorescent penetrant inspection, as proposed by this AD, would

take approximately 8 work hours to accomplish, at an average labor rate

of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of

the proposed fluorescent penetrant inspection requirement of this AD on

U.S. operators is estimated to be $148,400, or $480 per airplane.

Accomplishment of the fluorescent penetrant inspection proposed by

this AD would terminate the repetitive inspection requirement that had

been imposed previously by AD 94-18-07. Therefore, accomplishment of

that fluorescent penetrant inspection would result in a reduction in

costs to affected operators of $83,700 per inspection cycle that would

no longer be required.

The number of required work hours for each proposed requirement of

this AD, as indicated above, is presented as if the accomplishment of

the actions were to be conducted as ``stand alone'' actions. However,

in actual practice, these actions for the most part would be

accomplished coincidentally or in combination with normally scheduled

airplane inspections and other maintenance program tasks. Therefore,

the actual number of necessary additional work hours will be minimal in

many instances. Additionally, any costs associated with special

airplane scheduling will be minimal.

The regulations proposed herein would 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

proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant

the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft

regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the

Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules

Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend

part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. 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 39-9020 (59 FR

44900, August 31, 1994), and by adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD), to read as follows:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 94-NM-150-AD. Supersedes AD 94-18-07,

Amendment 39-9020.

Applicability: All Model DC-10 series airplanes and Model KC-10A

(military) airplanes; and Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in

McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Alert Service Bulletin A32-47, dated July

15, 1994; certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the

preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been

modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the

requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,

altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of

this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority

provided in paragraph (h) to request approval from the FAA. This

approval may address either no action, if the current configuration

eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to

address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request

should include an assessment of the effect of the changed

configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no

case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair

remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished

previously.

Note 2: Visual inspections of the lock links, as required by

paragraph (a) of this AD, and eddy current inspections of the lock

links, as required by paragraph (b)(1) of this AD, that have been

accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance

with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Alert Service Bulletin A32-237, dated

April 11, 1994; or McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Alert Service Bulletin

A32-44, dated March 22, 1994, or Revision 1, dated June 16, 1994; as

applicable; are considered acceptable for compliance with the

applicable action specified in this amendment.

To prevent collapse of the nose landing gear (NLG), accomplish

the following:

(a) Within 30 days after September 15, 1994 (the effective date

of AD 94-18-07, amendment 39-9020), perform a visual inspection to

determine the serial number of the upper lock links, part number

ACG7396-1, and the lower lock links, part number ACG7237-1, on the

NLG, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Alert Service

Bulletin A32-238, dated July 15, 1994; or McDonnell Douglas MD-11

Alert Service Bulletin A32-47, dated July 15, 1994; as applicable.

(b) If the serial number of the lock link coincides with any of

the suspect serial numbers listed in McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Alert

Service Bulletin A32-238, dated July 15, 1994; or McDonnell Douglas

MD-11 Alert Service Bulletin A32-47, dated July 15, 1994; as

applicable; accomplish paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD in

accordance with the alert service bulletin.

(1) Prior to further flight, perform an eddy current inspection

to detect defects in the lock link in accordance with Phase I

(``Eddy Current Inspection--On Aircraft'') of the Accomplishment

Instructions of the applicable alert service bulletin.

(2) Perform an expanded eddy current inspection to detect

defects in the lock link, in accordance with Phase II (``Expanded

Eddy Current Inspection--Off Aircraft'') of the Accomplishment

Instructions of the applicable alert service bulletin at the time

specified in paragraph (b)(2)(i) or (b)(2)(ii) of this AD, as

applicable.

(i) For Model DC-10 series airplanes and Model KC-10A airplanes:

Inspect prior to the accumulation of 450 landings after September

15, 1994 (the effective date of AD 94-18-07, amendment 39-9020), and

thereafter at intervals not to exceed 450 landings until the

inspection required by paragraph (d) of this AD is accomplished.

(ii) For Model MD-11 series airplanes: Inspect prior to the

accumulation of 330 landings after September 15, 1994 (the effective

date of AD 94-18-07, amendment 39- 9020), and thereafter at

intervals not to exceed 330 landings until the inspection required

by paragraph (d) of this AD is accomplished.

(c) If any defect is found during any inspection required by

paragraph (b) of this AD, prior to further flight, accomplish either

paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this AD in accordance with McDonnell

Douglas DC-10 Alert Service Bulletin A32-238, dated July 15, 1994;

or McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Alert Service Bulletin A32-47, dated July

15, 1994; as applicable.

(1) Rework the lock link; or

(2) Replace the defective lock link with a serviceable lock link

that has been inspected in accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of

this AD and, if the lock link was found to contain any defect, that

has been reworked in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this AD.

(d) Within 15 months after the effective date of this AD,

perform a fluorescent penetrant inspection to detect defects of the

lock links, in accordance with Phase III (``Fluorescent Penetrant

Inspection--Off Aircraft'') of the Accomplishment Instructions of

McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Alert Service Bulletin A32-238, dated July

15, 1994; or McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Alert Service Bulletin A32-47,

dated July 15, 1994; as applicable. Accomplishment of this

inspection constitutes terminating action for the inspections

required by paragraph (b) of this AD.

(e) If any defect is found during an inspection performed in

accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD, prior to further flight,

accomplish either paragraph (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD in

accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Alert Service Bulletin A32-

238, dated July 15, 1994; or McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Alert Service

Bulletin A32-47, dated July 15, 1994; as applicable.

(1) Rework the lock link; or

(2) Replace the defective lock link with a serviceable lock link

that has been inspected in accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of

this AD and, if the lock link was found to contain any defect, that

has been reworked in accordance with paragraph (e)(1) of this AD.

(f) As of September 15, 1994 (the effective date of AD 94-18-07,

amendment 39-9020), no person shall install an upper lock link, part

number ACG7396-1, or a lower lock link, part number ACG7237-1, on

the NLG of any airplane unless that lock link has been inspected in

accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD and reworked, as

necessary, in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) or (e)(1) of this AD.

(g) Within 30 days after any defect is found during any

inspection required by this AD, submit a report of inspection

findings to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office

(ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount

Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; fax (310) 627-5210. The

report must include a description of the defect found, the part

number of the defective lock link, the serial number of the

defective lock link, the number of landings on the defective lock

link, and the serial number of the airplane. Information collection

requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have

been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

(h) 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 Aircraft Certification

Office (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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

(i) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR

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

requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 2, 1994.

James V. Devany,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 94-30145 Filed 12-7-94; 8:45 am]

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