AD 2004-05-06

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain 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. This amendment requires replacement of the left and right number one passenger door bolted lower seal-to-retainer and girt bar view window assemblies with new, double-flush 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.

Final rule.

2004-05-06 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13500. Docket 2003-NM-07- AD.\n\n\tApplicability: 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, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-25A378, dated November 27, 2002; and Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, as listed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A262, Revision 01, dated February 11, 2003; certificated in any category. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo 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: \n\nReplacement \n\n\t(a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the left and right number one passenger door bolted lower seal-to-retainer and girt bar view window assemblies with the new, double-flush riveted assemblies, per the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-25A378, dated November 27, 2002 (for 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), or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A262, Revision 01, dated February 11, 2003 (for Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes); as applicable. \n\nReplacements Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin \n\n\t(b) Replacements accomplished before the effective date of this AD per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A262, dated November 27, 2002, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action specified in this AD. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance \n\n\t(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. \n\nIncorporation by Reference \n\n\t(d)The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin DC10-25A378, dated November 27, 2002; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A262, 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. C1-L5A (D800-0024). 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. \n\nEffective Date \n\n\t(e) This amendment becomes effective on April 7, 2004.

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 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 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 seal-to-retainer and girt bar view window assemblies with new, double-flush riveted assemblies. \n\nComments \n\n\tInterested 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. \n\nConclusion \n\n\tThe FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed. \n\nCost Impact \n\n\tThere are approximately 350 Model DC-10 airplanes, and approximately 195 Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 263 Model DC-10 airplanes and 81 Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this AD. \n\n\tThe following table shows the estimated cost impact for airplanes affected by this AD: \n\n\tTable--Cost Impact--Estimated \n\n\nModel\nWork hours\nLabor cost per airplane\nParts cost per airplane\nMaximum fleet cost\nDC-10 and MD-10 airplane\nMD-11 and -11F airplanes\n2\n1\n$130\n 65\n$6,024\n 6,024\n$1,618,502\n 493,209\n\n\tThe 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. \n\nRegulatory Impact \n\n\tThe 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. \n\n\tFor 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. \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, 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: \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\n§ 39.13 (Amended) \n\n2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: