Airworthiness directives: McDonnell Douglas,

[Federal Register: May 29, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 102)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 29447-29449]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr29my07-9]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28301; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-061-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11, MD-11F, DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC- 10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes and certain Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F airplanes. This proposed AD would require rerouting system 3 hydraulic piping, installing new pipe assemblies and unions, and installing redesigned support brackets for the system 3 hydraulic piping. This proposed AD results from a report of damage to the hydraulic system that occurred when pieces of a ruptured tire from the left main landing gear penetrated the wing trailing edge access panel during takeoff. We are proposing this AD to prevent damage to the system 3 hydraulic piping, which could result in loss of the hydraulic system.

[[Page 29448]]

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 13, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on this proposed AD.

DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow

the instructions for sending your comments electronically.

Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your

comments electronically.

Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590.

Fax: (202) 493-2251.

Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for the service information identified in this proposed AD.

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, CA 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5353; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2007- 28301; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-061-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov , including any personal information you provide. We will

also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov , or in person at the Docket Management Facility office

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647- 5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System receives them.

Discussion

We have received a report of damage to the hydraulic system that occurred when pieces of a ruptured tire from the left main landing gear (MLG) penetrated the wing trailing edge access panel during takeoff. During the incident, hydraulic piping routed in the wing trailing edge was damaged, which resulted in the loss of two of the three hydraulic systems. Boeing's analysis of the hydraulic piping for systems 1, 2, and 3, in the area above the left and right wing MLG tires, revealed the need to enhance the protection of the system 3 hydraulic pipes. Rerouting and installing thicker-walled system 3 hydraulic piping in the wing trailing edge areas will enhance the protection of the hydraulic pipes in the event of an MLG tireburst. If not corrected, damage to the system 3 hydraulic piping could result in possible loss of the hydraulic system.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-29A147, dated February 9, 2007; and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-29A068, Revision 1, dated February 9, 2007. The service bulletins describe procedures for rerouting system 3 hydraulic piping, installing new pipe assemblies and unions, and installing redesigned support brackets for the system 3 hydraulic piping. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

There are about 430 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.

Estimated Costs

Number of Average

Cost per

U.S.- Work hours

labor rate Parts

airplane registered

Fleet cost per hour

airplanes

60...........................

$80 $14,020 to $18,820 to

260 $4,893,200 to $14,620.

$19,420.

$5,049,200.

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

[[Page 29449]]

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 proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the 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. 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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

McDonnell Douglas: Docket No. FAA-2007-28301; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-061-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 13, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to the following McDonnell Douglas airplanes, certificated in any category:

(1) All Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes.

(2) DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30 and 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 Alert Service Bulletin DC10- 29A147, dated February 9, 2007.

Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from a report of damage to the hydraulic system that occurred when pieces of a ruptured tire from the left main landing gear penetrated the wing trailing edge access panel during takeoff. We are issuing this AD to prevent damage to the system 3 hydraulic piping, which could result in loss of the hydraulic system.

Compliance

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Modification

(f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, reroute system hydraulic piping, install new pipe assemblies and unions, and install redesigned support brackets for system 3 hydraulic piping. Do these actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-29A068, Revision 1, dated February 9, 2007 (for Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes), or McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC10- 29A147, dated February 9, 2007 (for Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC- 10-15, DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10- 40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F airplanes).

(g) Accomplishment before the effective date of this AD of the modification required by paragraph (f) of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-29A068, dated January 23, 2007, is acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(h)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 21, 2007. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. E7-10215 Filed 5-25-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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