Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 73 (Friday, April 14, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20329-20330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8816]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-269-AD; Amendment 39-11674; AD 2000-07-20]
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 electrical resistance measurements of the ground studs of 
the No. 2 generator in the electrical power center of the center 
accessory compartment for proper electrical bonding and of the ground 
studs and circuit breaker terminations in the forward cargo compartment 
to detect looseness and for proper electrical bonding; and corrective 
actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by an incident of 
charred insulation blankets in the forward cargo compartment in the 
area of the external ground power receptacle and the galley external 
power circuit breakers, and another incident of a No. 2 ``generator 
off'' alert while the generator was still on line. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent arcing and overheating of 
terminals and consequent smoke and fire in the forward cargo 
compartment due to improper bonding of ground studs in the forward 
cargo compartment and in the electrical power center and due to 
improper installation of circuit breaker terminations.

DATES: Effective May 19, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 19, 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, Aerospace Engineer, 
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 
February 1, 2000 (65 FR 4792). That action proposed to require 
electrical resistance measurements of the ground studs of the No. 2 
generator in the electrical power center of the center accessory 
compartment for proper electrical bonding and of the ground studs and 
circuit breaker terminations in the forward cargo compartment to detect 
looseness and for proper electrical bonding; and corrective actions, 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 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 31 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 9 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD. It will take approximately 2 work hours 
per airplane to accomplish the required measurements, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the measurements required by this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $1,080, or $120 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

[[Page 20330]]

``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:

2000-07-20  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11674. Docket 99-NM-269-
AD.
    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A040, Revision 01, 
dated October 11, 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 and overheating of terminals and consequent 
smoke and fire in the forward cargo compartment due to improper 
bonding of ground studs in the forward cargo compartment and in the 
electrical power center (EPC) and due to improper installation of 
circuit breaker terminations, accomplish the following:

Resistance Check and Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of 
this AD, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin 
MD11-24A040, Revision 01, dated October 11, 1999.
    (1) Perform an electrical resistance measurement of the ground 
studs of the No. 2 generator in the electrical power center of the 
center accessory compartment for proper electrical bonding, in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (i) If all ground studs are electrically bonded properly, prior 
to further flight, tighten applicable fasteners, if necessary, in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (ii) If any ground stud is not electrically bonded properly, 
prior to further flight, electrically bond the ground stud in 
accordance with the service bulletin.
    (2) Perform an electrical resistance measurement of the ground 
studs and circuit breaker terminations in the forward cargo 
compartment to detect looseness and for proper electrical bonding, 
in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (i) If all ground studs are electrically bonded properly, prior 
to further flight, tighten applicable attaching parts in accordance 
with the service bulletin.
    (ii) If any circuit breaker termination is found loose, tighten 
in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (iii) If any ground stud is not electrically bonded properly, 
prior to further flight, electrically bond the ground stud 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 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 actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A040, Revision 01, dated 
October 11, 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 May 19, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 4, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-8816 Filed 4-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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