Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 9, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64847-64849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24622]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-18573; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-71-AD; 
Amendment 39-13847; AD 2004-22-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 airplanes. This AD requires 
revising the cable connection stackups for mid-cabin terminal strips, 
replacing the terminal strips, and removing a nameplate, as applicable. 
This AD also requires an inspection for arcing damage in the mid-cabin 
area, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD is prompted by an 
incident in which arcing occurred between the power feeder cables and 
support bracket of the terminal strips. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent arcing damage to the terminal strips and damage to the adjacent 
structure, which could result in smoke and/or fire in the mid-cabin 
compartment.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 14, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
December 14, 2004.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood 
Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service 
Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). You can examine this information 
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.
    Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any 
final disposition. You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on

[[Page 64848]]

the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT street address stated 
in the ADDRESSES section.

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.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 
with an AD for certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 airplanes. That 
action, published in the Federal Register on July 13, 2004 (69 FR 
41990), proposed to require revising the cable connection stackups for 
mid-cabin terminal strips, replacing the terminal strips, and removing 
a nameplate, as applicable. That action also proposed to require an 
inspection for arcing damage in the mid-cabin area, and corrective 
actions if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed 
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD will affect about 23 airplanes of U.S. registry and 90 
airplanes worldwide. The required actions will take between 5 and 6 
work hours per airplane depending on the airplane configuration, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
between $673 and $975 depending on the airplane configuration. The 
airplane configuration group requiring the fewest number of work hours 
requires parts that cost approximately $710. Based on these figures, 
the estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is between $1,035 and 
$1,365 per airplane depending on the airplane configuration.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to 
examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2004-22-19 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13847. Docket No. FAA-
2004-18573; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-71-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective December 14, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series 
airplanes, as listed in paragraph 1.A.1. of McDonnell Douglas Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-24A176, dated May 27, 2003; certificated in 
any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by an incident in which arcing occurred 
between the power feeder cables and support bracket of the terminal 
strips. We are issuing this AD to prevent arcing damage to the 
terminal strips and damage to the adjacent structure, which could 
result in smoke and/or fire in the mid-cabin compartment.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Revise Wire Connection Stackups; Remove Nameplate, as Applicable; and 
Inspect for Damage

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas 
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A176, dated May 27, 2003. Although the 
service bulletin specifies to submit information to the manufacturer 
in paragraph 4, ``Appendix,'' this AD does not include that 
requirement.
    (1) Revise the wire connection stackups, replace the terminal 
strips for the power feeder cables, and remove nameplates, as 
applicable, at the affected mid-cabin locations.
    (2) Do a general visual inspection to detect arcing damage of 
the surrounding structure, adjacent system component, and electrical 
cables in the mid-cabin area.

    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.''

Corrective Action If Necessary

    (g) If any damage is detected during the inspection required by 
paragraph (f) of this AD, before further flight, repair damage or 
replace the damaged part with a new part, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-24A176, dated May 27, 2003. If the type of structural 
material that has been damaged is not covered in the Structural 
Repair Manual, before further flight, repair in accordance with a 
method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A176, dated May 27, 2003, to perform the actions that are required 
by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the 
Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of this 
document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For

[[Page 64849]]

copies of the service information, contact Boeing Commercial 
Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, 
California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-
L5A (D800-0024). For information on the availability of this 
material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), 
call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal--
register/code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--locations.html. You may 
view the AD docket at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, 
Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 25, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service
[FR Doc. 04-24622 Filed 11-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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