Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 23, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 74169-74170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31196]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-163-AD; Amendment 39-13393; AD 2003-25-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series 
airplanes, that currently requires an inspection to detect chafing or 
damage of the electrical wires leading to the terminal strips in the 
center accessory compartment (CAC) area, and corrective actions if 
necessary. That AD also currently requires revising the wire connection 
stack up of certain cable terminals at the electrical power center bays 
in the CAC, and replacing certain terminal strips with new strips and 
removing applicable nameplates at electrical power center bays. This 
amendment requires additional actions for improving the terminal strips 
and revises the applicability of the existing AD to include additional 
airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
arcing and sparking damage to the power feeder cables, terminal strips, 
and adjacent structure, and consequent smoke and fire in the CAC. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective January 27, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 27, 2004.

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: 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) by superseding AD 2000-24-12, 
amendment 39-12019 (65 FR 75615, December 4, 2000), which is applicable 
to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2003 (68 FR 43695). For 
certain airplanes, the action proposed to require revising the wire 
connection stack up of the cable terminals at the electrical power 
center bays in the center accessory compartment (CAC), as applicable; 
doing a one-time general visual inspection of the surrounding structure 
and electrical cables for chafing or damage; replacing terminal strips; 
removing the applicable nameplate at the electrical power center bays 
1, 2, and 3 in the CAC; and doing a general visual inspection of the 
surrounding structure and electrical cables for arcing damage. For 
certain other airplanes, the action also proposed to require relocating 
the terminal strip, and doing a general visual inspection of the 
surrounding structure and electrical cables for arcing damage. The 
action also proposed to revise the applicability of the existing AD to 
include additional airplanes.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 163 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 73 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD.
    The new actions that are required by this new AD will take 
approximately between 1 and 7 work hours per airplane (depending on 
airplane configuration) to accomplish, at an

[[Page 74170]]

average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately between $721 and $2,035 per airplane (depending on 
airplane configuration). Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between 
$786 and $2,490 per airplane (depending on airplane configuration).
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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

0
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

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-12019 (65 FR 
75615, December 4, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-13393, to read as follows:

2003-25-10 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13393. Docket 2001-NM-
163-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-24-12, Amendment 39-12019.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, Revision 02, dated 
December 4, 2002; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent arcing and sparking damage to the power feeder 
cables, terminal strips, and adjacent structure, and consequent 
smoke and fire in the center accessory compartment (CAC), accomplish 
the following:

Revising Wire Connection Stack Up, Inspecting, Replacing Terminal 
Strips, Removing the Nameplate, and Relocating Terminal Strips; As 
Applicable

    (a) For Groups 1 through 6 airplanes as listed in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, Revision 02, dated December 4, 2002: 
Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do the actions 
specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD per the service 
bulletin. Although the service bulletin references a reporting 
requirement, such reporting is not required by this AD.
    (1) Revise the wire connection stack up of the cable terminals 
at the electrical power center bays 1, 2, and 3 in the CAC, as 
applicable, and do a one-time general visual inspection of the 
surrounding structure and electrical cables for chafing or damage.

    Note: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

    (2) Replace the terminal strips and remove the applicable 
nameplate at the electrical power center bays 1, 2, and 3 in the 
CAC, and do a general visual inspection of the surrounding structure 
and electrical cables for arcing damage.
    (b) For Group 7 airplanes as listed in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-24A097, Revision 02, dated December 4, 2002: Within 12 
months after the effective date of this AD, relocate the terminal 
strip, and do a general visual inspection of the surrounding 
structure and electrical cables for arcing damage, per the service 
bulletin. Although the service bulletin references a reporting 
requirement, such reporting is not required by this AD.

Corrective Action

    (c) If any chafing or damage is detected during any general 
visual inspection required by this AD, before further flight, repair 
or replace the damaged or chafed component with new or serviceable 
components, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, Revision 
02, dated December 4, 2002; except if the type of structural 
material that has been affected is not covered in the Structural 
Repair Manual, repair per a method approved by the Manager, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. In addition, 
although the service bulletin references a reporting requirement, 
such reporting is not required by this AD.

Credit for Earlier Service Bulletins

    (d) Applicable actions specified in this AD accomplished before 
the effective date of this AD per McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-24A097, dated April 3, 2000; or Revision 01, dated 
July 12, 2001, are acceptable for compliance with the applicable 
requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles 
ACO, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance 
(AMOCs) for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) Unless otherwise specified by this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, 
Revision 02, dated December 4, 2002. 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

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on January 27, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 11, 2003.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31196 Filed 12-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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