AD 2007-04-06

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-62, DC-8-63, DC-8-62F, and DC-8- 63F airplanes. This AD requires revising the wiring for the engine thrust brake circuit and indicating circuit and other specified actions, or rerouting the wiring at plug P1-1762A on the electrical power center generator control panel, as necessary. This AD results from the determination that the thrust reverser systems on these airplanes do not adequately preclude inadvertent deployment of the thrust reversers. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent deployment of the thrust reversers during takeoff or landing, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

Final rule.

2007-04-06 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-14937. Docket No. FAA- 2006-26084; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-063-AD. \n\nEffective Date \n\n\t(a) This AD becomes effective March 21, 2007. \n\nAffected ADs \n\n\t(b) None. \n\nApplicability \n\n\t(c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-62 and DC-8- 63 airplanes and Model DC-8-62F and DC-8-63F airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Service Bulletin 78-95, Revision 2, dated March 10, 1971. \n\nUnsafe Condition \n\n\t(d) This AD results from the determination that the thrust reverser systems on McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-62, DC-8-63, DC-8- 62F, and DC-8-63F airplanes do not adequately preclude inadvertent deployment of the thrust reversers. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent deployment of the thrust reversers during takeoff or landing, which could result in loss of control of the airplane. \n\nCompliance \n\n\t(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. \n\nModification of Engine Thrust Brake Circuitry \n\n\t(f) Within 27 months after the effective date of this AD, do the applicable action specified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD, by accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Service Bulletin 78-95, Revision 2, dated March 10, 1971; or Revision 1, dated December 29, 1970. \n\n\t(1) Revise the wiring for the engine thrust brake circuit and indicating circuit, and do all other specified actions before further flight after revising the wiring. \n\n\t(2) Reroute the wiring at plug P1-1762A on the electrical power center generator control panel. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\t(g)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. \n\n\t(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. \n\nMaterial Incorporated by Reference \n\n\t(h) You must use McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Service Bulletin 78-95, Revision 2, dated March 10, 1971; or McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Service Bulletin 78-95, Revision 1, dated December 29, 1970; to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Service Bulletin 78-95, Revision 2, dated March 10, 1971, contains the following effective pages: \n\n\nPage Number\nRevision level shown on page\nDate shown on page\n1, 2, 16, 17\n3-15, 18-23\n2\n1\nMarch 10, 1971.\nDecember 29, 1970\n\n\tThe Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives \nand 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 .

Examining the Docket \n\n\tYou may examine the airworthiness directive (AD) docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management \n\nFacility 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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. \n\nDiscussion \n\n\tThe FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-62, DC-8-63, DC-8-62F, and DC-8-63F airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on October 19, 2006 (71 FR 61690). That NPRM proposed to require revising the wiring for the engine thrust brake circuit and indicating circuit and other specified actions, or rerouting the wiring at plug P1-1762A on the electrical power center generator control panel, as necessary. \n\nComments \n\n\tWe provided the public the opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public. \n\nConclusion \n\n\tWe have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\tThere are about 70 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. This AD affects about 45 airplanes of U.S. registry. The required actions take between 1 and 5 work hours per airplane, depending on airplane configuration, at an average labor rate of $80 per work hour. For a certain airplane configuration, required parts cost about $9 per airplane. For a certain other airplane configuration, required parts cost about $2,825 per airplane. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of this AD for U.S. operators is between $4,005 and $145,125, or between $89 and $3,225 per airplane. \n\nAuthority forThis Rulemaking \n\n\tTitle 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. \n\n\tWe 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. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\tWe have determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have asubstantial 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. \n\n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:\n \n\t(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; \n\n\t(2) Is not a "significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and \n\n\t(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. \n\n\tWe prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety. \n\nAdoption of the Amendment \n\nAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):