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

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 116 (Thursday, June 17, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33833-33834]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13222]



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Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 116 / Thursday, June 17, 2004 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 33833]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-75-AD; Amendment 39-13668; AD 2004-12-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 airplanes, 
that currently requires, among other actions, replacement of the 
existing air driven generator (ADG) wire assembly in the right air 
conditioning compartment with a certain new wire assembly. This 
amendment requires replacement of the ADG wiring and two associated 
clamps; inspection of the ADG wiring for correct wire identification, 
riding, and damage, and inspection of the associated routing/clamps for 
correct installation; and corrective actions if necessary. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of the charging 
capability of the airplane battery due to chafing. Loss of the charging 
capability of the airplane battery, coupled with a loss of all normal 
electrical power, could prevent continued safe flight and landing of 
the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective July 22, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 22, 2004.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, 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 National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 2001-17-12, 
amendment 39-12403 (66 FR 44034, August 22, 2001), which is applicable 
to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2004 (69 FR 17107). The 
action proposed to require replacement of the air driven generator 
(ADG) wiring and two associated clamps; inspection of the ADG wiring 
for correct wire identification, riding, and damage, and inspection of 
the associated routing/clamps for correct installation; and corrective 
actions if necessary.

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 195 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 81 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD. The following table shows the estimated 
cost impact for airplanes affected by this AD. The average labor rate 
is $65 per work hour.

                              Cost Estimate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Per
For Airplanes identified in the     Work       Parts cost--    airplane
     Service Bulletin as--         hours--                      cost--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Group 1........................           2  $1,085               $1,215
Group 2........................           1  (None)                   65
Group 3........................           1  (None)                   65
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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. The manufacturer may cover the cost of 
replacement parts associated with this

[[Page 33834]]

AD, subject to warranty conditions. Manufacturer warranty remedies may 
also be available for labor costs associated with this AD. As a result, 
the costs attributable to the AD may be less than stated above.

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 39-12403 (66 FR 
44034, August 22, 2001), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-13668, to read as follows:

2004-12-09 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13668. Docket 2003-NM-75-
AD. Supersedes AD 2001-17-12, Amendment 39-12403.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-24-128, Revision 05, dated June 3, 
2003; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loss of the battery charging capability of the air 
driven generator (ADG), that when coupled with a loss of all normal 
electrical power, could prevent continued safe flight and landing of 
the airplane, accomplish the following:

Replace, Tighten, Inspect, and Identify; as Applicable

    (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of Table 1 
of this AD, as applicable, per the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-24-128, Revision 05, dated June 3, 
2003.

    Table 1.--Replace, Tighten, Inspect, and Identify; As Applicable
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  For airplanes identified in the
       Service Bulletin as--                     Action(s)--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Group 1.......................  (i) Replace the ADG wiring assembly
                                     located on the transformer panel at
                                     station Y=568.333 in the right air
                                     conditioning compartment with a new
                                     wire assembly.
                                    (ii) Replace the associated clamps
                                     and screws of the ADG wire assembly
                                     with new clamps and screws.
                                    (iii) Torque the terminal hardware
                                     to the limits specified in the
                                     service bulletin.
(2) Group 2.......................  Do a general visual inspection of
                                     the ADG wire installation for
                                     damage/riding and correct clamping/
                                     routing.
(3) Group 3.......................  Do a general visual inspection of
                                     the ADG wiring assembly for correct
                                     wire identification and/or damage.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Corrective Actions

    (b) If any discrepancy is found during the general visual 
inspection required by either paragraph (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this AD, 
before further flight, accomplish applicable corrective actions per 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-24-
128, Revision 05, dated June 3, 2003.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin MD11-24-128, Revision 05, dated June 3, 2003. 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 Airplanes, 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 National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 22, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 3, 2004.
Franklin Tiangsing,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-13222 Filed 6-16-04; 8:45 am]
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