Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10, Model MD-10, and Model MD-11 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 224 (Monday, November 20, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69658-69660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28478]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-345-AD; Amendment 39-11969; AD 2000-22-21]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10, Model 
MD-10, and 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) that 
is applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10, Model MD-10, and 
Model MD-11 series airplanes. This action requires revising the 
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to ensure that the flight crew is advised 
of appropriate procedures for disabling certain fuel pump electrical 
circuits following failure of a fuel pump electrical connector. For 
certain airplanes, this action also requires revising the AFM to 
prohibit resetting of tripped fuel pump circuit breakers. This action 
is necessary to prevent continued arcing following a short circuit of 
the fuel pump electrical connector, which could damage the conduit that 
protects the power lead inside the fuel tank, and result in the 
creation of a potential ignition source in the fuel tank. This action 
is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective December 5, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 5, 2000.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before January 19, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-345-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-345-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; 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip C. Kush, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA,

[[Page 69659]]

Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5263; fax (562) 
627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received reports of four 
incidents on McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 and MD-11 series airplanes, 
in which a short circuit occurred in the electrical connector between 
the power lead and the housing of a fuel pump. The circuit breaker did 
not trip in any of these incidents because the electrical arcing that 
occurred was shorter in duration than necessary for the circuit breaker 
to detect the arcing and open the circuit. In the event of such a short 
circuit of a fuel pump electrical connector, continued arcing of the 
electrical connector could damage the conduit that protects the power 
lead inside the fuel tank, which could create a potential ignition 
source in the fuel tank.
    The subject fuel pump electrical connector on all McDonnell Douglas 
Model MD-10 series airplanes is identical to that on McDonnell Douglas 
Model DC-10 and MD-11 series airplanes on which the incidents occurred. 
Therefore, all of these airplanes may be subject to the unsafe 
condition described above.
    In addition, the Procedures Section of the FAA-approved Airplane 
Flight Manual (AFM) for McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 and certain MD-11 
series airplanes permits the flight crew to reset the fuel pump circuit 
breaker one time if the circuit breaker is tripped. (If it is tripped 
again, the AFM prohibits resetting it.) However, tripping of the 
circuit breaker may be caused by arcing following short circuit of a 
fuel pump electrical connector. Resetting the fuel pump circuit breaker 
if it is tripped due to arcing could allow arcing to continue and 
create a potential ignition source in the fuel tank. (The Limitations 
Section of the AFM for McDonnell Douglas Model MD-10 series airplanes 
already prohibits resetting the fuel pump circuit breaker; therefore, 
these airplanes are not subject to this unsafe condition.)

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Flight Operations Bulletin 
DC-10-00-01A, MD-11-00-03A, and MD-10-00-02A, dated September 20, 2000. 
The flight operations bulletin provides instructions for revising the 
Procedures Section of the FAA-approved AFM by inserting certain Interim 
Operating Procedures (IOP). These IOP's advise the flight crew of 
proper procedures for disabling certain fuel pump electrical circuits 
following failure of a fuel pump electrical connector.

Explanation of the 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 prevent continued arcing following a short circuit of 
the fuel pump electrical connector, which could damage the conduit that 
protects the power lead inside the fuel tank, and result in the 
creation of a potential ignition source in the fuel tank. This AD 
requires accomplishment of the actions specified in the flight 
operations bulletin described previously. For certain airplanes, this 
AD also requires revising the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved 
AFM to prohibit resetting of any fuel pump circuit breakers.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action. The manufacturer has 
advised that it currently is developing an inspection and a 
modification that will positively address the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD. Once these actions are developed, approved, and 
available, the FAA may consider additional rulemaking.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an 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-345-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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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.

[[Page 69660]]

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:

2000-22-21  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11969. Docket 2000-NM-
345-AD.

    Applicability: All Model DC-10, Model MD-10, and Model MD-11 
series airplanes; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent continued arcing following a short circuit of the 
fuel pump electrical connector, which could damage the conduit that 
protects the power lead inside the fuel tank, and result in the 
creation of a potential ignition source in the fuel tank, accomplish 
the following:

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision (Procedures Section)

    (a) Within 14 days after the effective date of this AD, insert 
applicable Interim Operating Procedures regarding abnormal 
operations for fuel pump electrical connector failures into the 
Procedures Section of the FAA-approved AFM, in accordance with 
Boeing Flight Operations Bulletin DC-10-00-01A, MD-11-00-03A, and 
MD-10-00-02A, dated September 20, 2000.

Airplane Flight Manual Revision (Limitations Section)

    (b) For Model DC-10 and Model MD-11 series airplanes: Within 14 
days after the effective date of this AD, insert the following 
information into the ``Fuel Management'' paragraph of the 
Limitations Section of the FAA-approved AFM which may be 
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.

``Do not reset any tripped fuel pump circuit breakers.''


    Note 1: If the information in paragraph (b) of this AD is 
already in the ``Fuel Management'' paragraph of the Limitations 
Section of the AFM, no further action is required by paragraph (b) 
of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Operations Inspector, who may add comments 
and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note 2: 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

    (d) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD, the AFM 
revision shall be done in accordance with Boeing Flight Operations 
Bulletin DC-10-00-01A, MD-11-00-03A, and MD-10-00-02A, dated 
September 20, 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; 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.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 5, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 1, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-28478 Filed 11-17-00; 8:45 am]
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