Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F Airplanes Equipped With United Technologies Pratt & Whitney Engines

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 139 (Friday, July 19, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47649-47651]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17529]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-64-AD; Amendment 39-12810; AD 2002-14-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F 
Airplanes Equipped With United Technologies Pratt & Whitney Engines

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 and -11F airplanes, 
that requires replacing the wire harness support bracket of the 
integrated drive generator (IDG) of the forward engine mounts with a 
new support bracket, and modifying the angle of the bracket near the 
oil filter. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
arcing of the IDG wire harness, which could result in smoke and/or fire 
in the area of the forward engine mount bolt retainer and/or fire 
detector responder. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective August 23, 2002.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 23, 2002.

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: Data 
and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). 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, 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: Technical Information: Brett Portwood, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5350; fax (562) 627-
5210.
    Other Information: Sandi Carli, Airworthiness Directive Technical 
Writer/Editor; telephone (425) 687-4243, fax (425) 227-1232. Questions 
or comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following 
address: [email protected]. Questions or comments sent via the 
Internet as attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft 
Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.

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 and -11F airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
October 5, 2001 (66 FR 50880). That action proposed to require 
replacing the wire harness support bracket of the integrated drive 
generator of the forward engine mounts with a new support bracket, and 
modifying the angle of the bracket near the oil filter.

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.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

    The FAA has revised the applicability of the existing AD to 
identify model designations as published in the most

[[Page 47650]]

recent type certificate data sheet for the affected models.

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 with the change previously 
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 195 Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 67 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will be provided by the engine manufacturer at no cost to the 
operators. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $12,060, or $180 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. The cost impact figures discussed 
in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform 
the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures 
typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to 
gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other 
administrative actions.

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:

2002-14-10  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12810. Docket 2001-NM-
64-AD.
    Applicability: Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, certificated in 
any category; equipped with United Technologies Pratt & Whitney 
Model PW4460 or PW4462 engines, engine buildup units having neutral 
quick engine change, cum units 4 through 240 inclusive and serial 
numbers 5166001 through 5213003 inclusive.

    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 (c) 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 integrated drive generator (IDG) wire 
harness, which could result in smoke and/or fire in the area of the 
forward engine mount bolt retainer and/or fire detector responder, 
accomplish the following:

Replacement and Modification

    (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the wire harness support bracket of the IDG of the forward engine 
mounts with a new support bracket, and modify the angle of the 
bracket near the oil filter (i.e., cut and grind flanges, deburr 
edges, fusion weld flanges, and reidentify bracket), per Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-71A086, Revision 01, dated May 21, 2001.

    Note 2: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-71A086 references 
United Technologies Pratt & Whitney Service Bulletin PW4MD11 71-107, 
dated May 15, 1996, as an additional source of service information 
for accomplishing the proposed replacement and modification.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no United Technologies 
Pratt & Whitney Model PW4460 or PW4462 engines, engine buildup units 
having neutral quick engine change, cum units 4 through 240 
inclusive and serial numbers 5166001 through 5213003 inclusive, 
shall be installed on any airplane unless the requirements of 
paragraph (a) of this AD have been done.

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 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 Permit

    (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) The replacement and modification shall be done in accordance 
with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-71A086, Revision 01, dated 
May 21, 2001. 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: Data and Service Management, 
Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or 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 August 23, 2002.


[[Page 47651]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 2, 2002.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-17529 Filed 7-18-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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