Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 33 (Thursday, February 17, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8028-8029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3617]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-171-AD; Amendment 39-11572; AD 2000-03-13]
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 a one-time detailed visual inspection of the wire bundle 
installation behind the first observer's station to detect damaged or 
chafed wires; and corrective action, if necessary. This amendment is 
prompted by a report indicating that the wire bundle contained in the 
feedthrough behind the first observer's station was contacting the 
bottom portion of the feedthrough. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent such contact, which could cause cable chafing, 
electrical arcing, smoke, or fire in the cockpit.

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, CA 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, CA; 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, CA 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 57814). That action proposed to require a one-time 
detailed visual inspection of the wire bundle installation behind the 
first observer's station to detect damaged or chafed wires; and 
corrective action, if necessary.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    One commenter supports the proposed rule. One commenter states that 
it is not affected by the proposed rule.

[[Page 8029]]

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
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 63 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 12 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $720, or $60 
per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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.

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:

2000-03-13  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11572. Docket 99-NM-171-
AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A041, Revision 01, 
dated April 26, 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 the wire bundle contained in the feedthrough from 
contacting the bottom of the feedthrough which could cause cable 
chafing, electrical arcing, and smoke or fire in the cockpit, 
accomplish the following:

Inspection and Modification

    (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, perform a 
one-time detailed visual inspection of the wire bundle installation 
behind the first observer's station to detect damaged or chafed 
wires, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin 
MD11-24A041, Revision 01, dated April 26, 1999.

    Note 2:
    For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is defined as: 
``An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, 
system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or 
irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct 
source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the 
inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc. may 
be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be 
required.''

    (1) For airplanes identified as Group 1 in the service bulletin: 
Accomplish paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (a)(1)(ii) of this AD, as 
applicable.
    (i) If no damaged or chafed wire is found, no further action is 
required by this AD.
    (ii) If any damaged or chafed wire is found, prior to further 
flight, repair in accordance with the service bulletin;
    (2) For airplanes identified as Group 2 in the service bulletin: 
Accomplish paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this AD, as 
applicable.
    (i) If no damaged or chafed wire is found, within 1 year after 
the effective date of this AD, revise the wire bundle support clamp 
installation at the observer's station in accordance with the 
service bulletin.
    (ii) If any damaged or chafed wire is found, prior to further 
flight, repair the wiring, and revise the wire bundle support clamp 
installation at the observer's station in accordance with the 
service bulletin.

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 
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 actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A041, Revision 01, dated April 
26, 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. 00-3617 Filed 2-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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