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

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 76 (Monday, April 21, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19339-19341]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9426]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-160-AD; Amendment 39-13065; AD 2003-04-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-
11F 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 and MD-11F 
airplanes that requires an inspection to detect chafed wires in the 
avionics equipment compartment, and repair, if necessary. This 
amendment also requires replacement of the existing cover of the 
avionics cooling fan with a new cover, and installation of a new 
placard on the cover. Additionally, this amendment specifies which 
previously accomplished actions are acceptable for compliance with 
certain requirements of this AD; and clarifies the applicability, a 
part number, and the inspection definition. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to ensure that the cover of the avionics cooling 
fans is removed only for fan maintenance, and to prevent smoke and/or 
fire in the avionics equipment compartment due to chafing and arcing as 
a result of maintenance personnel lying against the removed cover and/
or insulation blankets that cover wire harnesses. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective May 27, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 27, 2003.

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 90712-4137; 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 MD-11 
and MD-11F airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 
29, 2002 (67 FR 55362). That action proposed to require an inspection 
to detect chafed wires in the avionics equipment compartment, and 
repair, if necessary. That action also proposed to require replacement 
of the existing cover of the avionics cooling fan with a new cover, and 
installation of a new

[[Page 19340]]

placard on the cover. Additionally, that action proposed to specify 
which previously accomplished actions are acceptable for compliance 
with certain requirements of that proposed AD; and clarify the 
applicability, a part number, and the inspection definition.

Since the Issuance of the NPRM

    The manufacturer has released Revision 02 of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin (ASB) MD11-21A033, dated December 4, 2002. Revision 02 of the 
ASB made certain editorial and cost information changes, but states 
that no more work is necessary on airplanes on which Revision 01 has 
been accomplished. We have determined that accomplishing the actions 
specified in Revision 02 of the ASB is an adequate method of compliance 
to the requirements of the final rule, and have revised the final rule 
accordingly.

Explanation of Editorial Change

    We have changed the citation for Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
MD11-21A033, Revision 01, dated April 30, 2001, throughout this final 
rule to exclude the Evaluation Form. (The form is intended to be 
completed by operators and submitted to the manufacturer to provide 
input on the quality of the service bulletin; however, this AD does not 
include such a requirement.)

Opportunity To Comment

    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

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

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 80 Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 33 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 4 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $1,991 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$73,623, or $2,231 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

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-04-16 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13065. Docket 2001-NM-
160-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-21A033, Revision 01, dated April 
30, 2001; 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 (e) 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 ensure that the cover of the avionics cooling fans is removed 
only for fan maintenance, and to prevent smoke and/or fire in the 
avionics equipment compartment due to chafing and arcing as a result 
of maintenance personnel lying against the removed cover and/or 
insulation blankets that cover wire harnesses, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection and Repair if Necessary

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
general visual inspection to detect chafed wires in the area of the 
avionics cooling fans inside the avionics equipment compartment, per 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-21A033, Revision 01, dated April 
30, 2001, excluding Evaluation Form or Revision 02, dated December 
4, 2002, excluding Evaluation Form. If any chafed wiring is 
detected, before further flight, repair per the service bulletin.

    Note 2: 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 from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight 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.''

Replacement of a Cover and Installation of a New Placard

    (b) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the existing cover of the avionics cooling fan with a new 
cover,

[[Page 19341]]

and install a new placard on the cover, per Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-21A033, Revision 01, dated April 30, 2001, excluding 
Evaluation Form or Revision 02, dated December 4, 2002. The 
replacement must be done with part numbers that are specified in 
View C-C, Figure 1, of the service bulletin.
    (c) Accomplishment of the actions specified in McDonnell Douglas 
Service Bulletin MD11-21-033, dated May 1, 1992, before the 
effective date of this AD, is considered acceptable for compliance 
with the requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD.

Spares

    (d) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a cover assembly, part number ABM7569-1, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e) 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 Permits

    (f) 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

    (g) Unless otherwise specified by this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-21A033, 
Revision 01, dated April 30, 2001, excluding Evaluation Form or 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-21A033, 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

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on May 27, 2003.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 10, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-9426 Filed 4-18-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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