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

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 9, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64850-64852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24620]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-54-AD; Amendment 39-13845; AD 2004-22-17]
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 adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F 
airplanes, that requires an inspection of the connector cables for 
signs of arcing and/or signs of moisture penetration into the overhead 
decoder units (ODU), and replacement of the affected ODU(s) with a new 
ODU, if necessary. This action also requires modification and 
reidentification of the cable assemblies and the connect cable 
assemblies at shipside power to the ODU, ODU to ODU, and adjacent bag 
racks; and replacing certain connectors of the ODU and shipside power 
cable assemblies. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent moisture from entering through the rear of the connector of the 
ODUs located in the overhead baggage stowage racks, which could result 
in a short, damage to the connector pins, and consequent smoke and/or 
fire in the cabin. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective December 14, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 14, 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 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) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes was published as a supplemental notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on July 13, 2004 (69 
FR 41987). That action proposed to require an inspection of the 
connector cables for signs of arcing and/or signs of moisture 
penetration into the overhead decoder units (ODU), and replacement of 
the affected ODU(s) with a new ODU, if necessary. That action also 
proposed to require modification and

[[Page 64851]]

reidentification of the cable assemblies and the connect cable 
assemblies at shipside power to the ODU, ODU to ODU, and adjacent bag 
racks; and replacing certain connectors of the ODU and shipside power 
cable assemblies.

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 114 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 28 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately between 
295 and 2,056 work hours per airplane (i.e., 2 work hours per ODU and 
shipside connector; the number of ODUs and shipside connectors per 
airplane will vary between 59 and 1,028 depending on the airplane's 
configuration) to accomplish the required actions, and that the average 
labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
between $2,264 and $130,864 per airplane (depending on the airplane 
configuration). Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be between $21,439 and $264,504 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. The manufacturer may cover the cost of 
replacement parts associated with this proposed AD, subject to warranty 
conditions. As a result, the costs attributable to the proposed 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2004-22-17 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13845. Docket 2001-NM-54-
AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A065, Revision 02, dated April 
1, 2003; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent moisture from entering through the rear of the 
connector of the overhead decoder units (ODU) located in the 
overhead baggage stowage racks, which could result in a short, 
damage to the connector pins, and consequent smoke and/or fire in 
the cabin, accomplish the following:

Service Bulletin References

    (a) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A065, Revision 02, dated April 
1, 2003.

Part 1: Cable Assemblies of the ODU

    (b) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(4) of Table 1 of 
this AD, as applicable, and any applicable corrective actions by 
doing all actions in Part 1 of the Work Instructions of the service 
bulletin. Do the actions per the service bulletin. Do any applicable 
corrective actions before further flight.

                 Table 1.--Cable Assemblies of the ODUs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 For Airplanes Identified in
  the Service Bulletin as--                    Actions--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Groups 1 through 69......  Do a general visual inspection of the P1
                                connector end of all AWP9604 cable
                                assemblies of the ODUs to determine if
                                SK2464-15 connectors are present.
(2) Groups 1 through 69......  Replace the connector ends on the
                                applicable cable assemblies of the ODUs
                                with new connector ends.
(3) Groups 1 through 72......  Do general visual inspection of the cable
                                connectors for signs of arcing or signs
                                of moisture penetration into the ODUs.
(4) Groups 70 through 72.....  Replace the connectors of the applicable
                                cable assemblies of the ODUs with new
                                connectors.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1:
    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.''


[[Page 64852]]



Part 2: Shipside Cable Assemblies

    (c) For Groups 1 through 69 identified in the service bulletin: 
Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do the actions 
specified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(3) of this AD, and any 
applicable corrective action by doing all actions in paragraphs 1., 
and 3. through 10., as applicable, of Part 2 of the Work 
Instructions of the service bulletin. Do the actions per the service 
bulletin. Do any applicable corrective actions before further 
flight.
    (1) Do a general visual inspection of the P1 connector end of 
the jumper cables of the centerline AWP9606 shipside cable 
assemblies to determine if SK2464-9 connectors are present.
    (2) Replace the P1 connector ends on the applicable shipside 
cable assemblies with new connector ends.
    (3) Replace the connectors of the applicable shipside cable 
assemblies with new connectors.

Differences Between AD and Referenced Service Bulletin

    (d) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.
    (e) Although the service bulletin describes the procedure for a 
general visual inspection of the connector cables of the shipside 
cable assemblies for signs of arcing or signs of moisture 
penetration for certain airplanes, this AD does not require that 
inspection.

    Note 2:
    Where there are differences between the AD and the service 
bulletin, the AD prevails.

Parts Installation

    (f) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a cable assembly having a part number in the ``Existing Part 
Number'' column of the applicable table specified in paragraph 
2.C.3, ``Parts Necessary for Each Airplanes'' of the service 
bulletin, on any airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOC)

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

Incorporation by Reference

    (h) The action shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-33A065, excluding Appendix, Revision 02, dated 
April 1, 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 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

    (i) This amendment becomes effective on December 14, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 25, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24620 Filed 11-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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