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

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2655-2656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-764]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-167-AD; Amendment 39-13433; AD 2004-01-19]
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 -11F airplanes, 
that requires replacement of the wire assembly connectors of the bag 
rack lighting with new, moisture-resistant connectors and 
reidentification of the bag racks. This action is necessary to prevent 
arcing of the wire assembly connectors of the overhead storage bin, and 
service module and bin extension assemblies, and consequent smoke/fire 
in the cabin. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective February 24, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 24, 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 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, 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 -11F airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 
24, 2003 (68 FR 43681). That action proposed to require replacement of 
the wire assembly connectors of the bag rack lighting with new, 
moisture-resistant connectors and reidentification of the bag racks.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Requests To Revise Applicability

    Two commenters request that the applicability of the proposed AD be 
revised to exclude airplanes with certain manufacturer's fuselage 
numbers (MSN) that have been modified from a passenger-to-freighter 
configuration. One commenter notes that the proposed AD affects both 
Model MD-11 (passenger) and -11F (freighter) airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A064, dated March 6, 2002. The 
commenters also note that the effectivity listing of the referenced 
service bulletin includes manufacturer's fuselage numbers (MFN) 530, 
537, 540, 547, 550, 554, and 574. The commenters state that, at the 
time the service bulletin was written, these MFNs were passenger 
airplanes; however, Boeing has since converted these MFNs to 
freighters. The commenters conclude that these MFNs no longer have 
approved configurations that include the components affected by the 
proposed AD.
    We agree. We have revised the applicability to exclude airplanes 
that have been converted from a passenger-to-freighter configuration, 
on which passenger configuration equipment has been removed per Boeing-
approved drawings after March 6, 2002 (the issue date of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-33A064).

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously 
described. 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 111 Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 26 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
    For Group 1 airplanes identified in the referenced service 
bulletin, it will take approximately 11 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $65 per 
work hour. Required parts will cost between $1,140 and $1,406 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $1,855 and $2,121 per airplane.
    For Group 2 airplanes identified in the referenced service 
bulletin, it will take approximately 13 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $65 per 
work hour. Required parts will cost between $1,140 and $1,406 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $1,985, and $2,251 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 AD, subject to warranty 
conditions. Manufacturer warranty remedies may also be available for 
labor costs associated with this AD.

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

[[Page 2656]]

``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:

2004-01-19 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13433. Docket 2001-NM-
167-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A064, dated March 6, 2002; 
certificated in any category; excluding those airplanes that have 
been converted from a passenger-to-freighter configuration, on which 
passenger configuration equipment has been removed per Boeing-
approved drawings after March 6, 2002 (the issue date of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A064).
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent arcing of the wire assembly connectors of the 
overhead storage bin, and service module and bin extension 
assemblies, and consequent smoke/fire in the cabin, accomplish the 
following:

Replacement and Reidentification

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the wire assembly connectors of the bag rack lighting with 
new, moisture-resistant connectors and reidentify the bag racks, per 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A064, dated March 6, 2002.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

Incorporation by Reference

    (c) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A064, dated March 6, 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 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 Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (d) This amendment becomes effective on February 24, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 2, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-764 Filed 1-16-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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