Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 33 (Thursday, February 17, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8027-8028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3616]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-172-AD; Amendment 39-11573; AD 2000-03-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, 
that requires modification of the battery ground cable installation in 
the center accessory compartment. This amendment is prompted by reports 
of battery ground studs that had arced due to loose ground stud 
attachments. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
such arcing, which could cause smoke and/or fire in the center 
accessory compartment.

DATES: Effective March 23, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 23, 2000.

ADDRESSES: 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 Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 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 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: 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 
MD-11 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 
27, 1999 (64 FR 57820). That action proposed to require modification of 
the battery ground cable installation in the center accessory 
compartment.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 142 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 30 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work 
hours per airplane (for Option 1; bracket assembly modification) or 2 
work hours per airplane (for Option 2; bracket assembly replacement) to 
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,204 per 
airplane for Option 1, or $2,115 per airplane for Option 2. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators for Option 1 
is estimated to be $41,520, or $1,384 per airplane. The cost impact of 
the AD on U.S. operators for Option 2 is estimated to be $67,050, or 
$2,235 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements 
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions 
in the future if this AD were not adopted. However, the FAA has been 
advised that manufacturer warranty remedies are available for some 
labor costs associated with accomplishing the proposed actions. 
Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on U.S. 
operators may be less than the cost impact figures indicated above.

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:


[[Page 8028]]


2000-03-14  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11573. Docket 99NM-172-
AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A141, Revision 01, 
dated August 23, 1999; 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 prevent arcing of the battery ground studs, which could cause 
smoke and/or fire in the center accessory compartment, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) For airplanes on which McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 
MD11-24-090, dated August, 28, 1997; Revision 1, dated June 10, 
1998; or Revision 2, dated May 17, 1999; has not been accomplished: 
Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the 
modification of the battery ground cable installation in the center 
accessory compartment specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of 
this AD, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin 
MD11-24A141, dated May 17, 1999, or Revision 01, dated August 23, 
1999.
    (1) Option 1 (Bracket Assembly Modification). Modify, 
reidentify, and install a modified bracket assembly; trim the 
nameplate; plug open holes; install the support assembly and clamp; 
and connect the battery ground cable with improved attachments.
    (2) Option 2 (Bracket Assembly Replacement). Install a new 
bracket assembly; plug open holes; install the support assembly and 
clamp; and connect the battery ground cable with improved 
attachments.

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 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

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

    (d) The modification and replacement shall be done in accordance 
with
    McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A141, dated May 
17, 1999, or McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A141, 
Revision 01, dated August 23, 1999. 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 23, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 10, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
 Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 00-3616 Filed 2-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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