Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 145 (Thursday, July 27, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46200-46202]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-18392]



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Part II





Department of Transportation





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Federal Aviation Administration



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14 CFR Part 39



Airworthiness Directives; Rule and Proposed Rules

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 145 / Thursday, July 27, 2000 / Rules 
and Regulations

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-30-AD; Amendment 39-11829; AD 2000-14-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. 
This action requires an inspection of the powered drive unit power 
wires within three feet of each affected powered drive unit termination 
for mechanical damage; and repair, if necessary. This action also 
requires revising the wire harnesses; splicing any additional length 
wire; routing and installing parts; and replacing the floor panels with 
new and retained floor panels. This action is necessary to ensure that 
the powered roller pans are positioned properly. Improperly positioned 
powered roller pans could pierce a powered roller wire harness and 
cause sparking that could ignite adjacent insulation material, which 
could result in smoke and fire in the center cargo compartment of the 
airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective August 11, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 11, 2000.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before September 25, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-30-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-30-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood 
Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical 
Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). 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; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Portwood, Technical Specialist, 
Systems Safety and Integration, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5350; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of its practice of re-examining all 
aspects of the service experience of a particular aircraft whenever an 
accident occurs, the FAA has become aware of an incident in which a 
fire occurred in the center cargo compartment during loading on a 
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplane. Investigation has 
revealed that a powered roller pan attach screw had pierced a powered 
roller wire harness and caused sparking that resulted in the ignition 
of adjacent insulation material. The cause of such piercing was 
attributed to powered roller pans that were incorrectly positioned 
during production of the airplane, which resulted in a mismatch between 
the roller pan and wire harness. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in smoke and fire in the center cargo compartment of the 
airplane.
    This incident is not considered to be related to a recent accident 
that occurred off the coast of Nova Scotia involving a McDonnell 
Douglas Model MD-11 series airplane. The cause of that accident is 
still under investigation.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Boeing has issued McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-25A227, 
dated January 27, 2000, which describes procedures for a one-time 
general visual inspection of the powered drive unit power wires within 
three feet of each affected powered drive unit termination for 
mechanical damage; and repair, if necessary. The service bulletin also 
describes procedures for revising the wire harnesses; splicing any 
additional length wire; routing and installing parts; and replacing the 
floor panels with new and retained floor panels. Accomplishment of the 
actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately 
address the identified unsafe condition.

Explanation of Requirements of the Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is 
being issued to ensure that the powered roller pans are positioned 
properly. Improperly positioned powered roller pans could pierce a 
powered roller wire harness and cause sparking that could ignite 
adjacent insulation material, which could result in smoke and fire in 
the center cargo compartment of the airplane. This AD requires 
accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin 
described previously.

Cost Impact

    None of the Model MD-11 series airplanes affected by this action 
are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability 
of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign 
registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. 
However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that 
the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these 
subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately between 2 and 3 
work hours (depending on the configuration of the airplane) to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per 
work hour. Parts will be supplied by the manufacturer at no cost to the 
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be 
between $120 and $180 per airplane. However, the FAA has been advised 
that manufacturer warranty remedies are available for labor costs 
associated with accomplishing the actions required by this AD. 
Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on U.S. 
operators may be less than the cost impact figure indicated above.

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Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, prior notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 
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 under the caption 
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date 
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light 
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the 
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional 
rulemaking action would be needed.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    <bullet> Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
    <bullet> For each issue, state what specific change to the AD is 
being requested.
    <bullet> Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-30-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The 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.
    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 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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000-14-18  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11829. Docket 2000-NM-
30-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-25A227, dated January 27, 
2000; 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To ensure that the powered roller pans are positioned properly, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and 
(a)(3) of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service 
Bulletin MD11-25A227, dated January 27, 2000.

Inspection

    (1) Perform a general visual inspection of the powered drive 
unit power wires within three feet of each affected powered drive 
unit termination for mechanical damage. If any damaged wire is 
detected, prior to further flight, repair the damaged wire.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

Revise Wire Harnesses, Splice Wire, and Route and Install Parts

    (2) Revise the wire harnesses, splice any additional length 
wire, and route and install parts.

Replacement

    (3) Replace the floor panels with new and retained floor panels.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 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.

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Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-25A227, dated January 27, 2000. 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 Aircraft Group, 
Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 
90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business Administration, 
Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). 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, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 11, 2000.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 14, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-18392 Filed 7-26-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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