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

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 19 (Monday, January 31, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4755-4756]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1557]



[[Page 4755]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19262; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-54-AD; 
Amendment 39-13953; AD 2005-02-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (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 and MD-11F airplanes. This AD 
requires inspecting the power feeder cables of the auxiliary power unit 
(APU) for chafing damage, and accomplishing any related corrective 
action. This AD also requires modifying the drain line of the fuel feed 
shroud of the horizontal stabilizer. This AD is prompted by a report of 
the drain line of the fuel feed shroud riding on the power feeder 
cables of the APU. We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the 
power feeder cables of the APU, which could result in electrical arcing 
to adjacent structure and consequent fire in the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 7, 2005.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of March 
7, 2005.

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 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 the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC. This docket number is FAA-2004-19262; the directorate 
identifier for this docket is 2004-NM-54-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5262; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR Part 39 
with an AD for certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F 
airplanes. That action, published in the Federal Register on October 6, 
2004 (69 FR 59837), proposed to require inspecting the power feeder 
cables of the auxiliary power unit (APU) for chafing damage, and 
accomplishing any related corrective action. The proposed AD would also 
require modifying the drain line of the fuel feed shroud of the 
horizontal stabilizer.

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

    There are about 195 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet, and 85 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The inspection will take about 1 work hour per airplane, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $5,525, or $65 per 
airplane.
    The modification will take about 3 work hours per airplane 
(including the functional test), at an average labor rate of $65 per 
work hour. Parts cost will be minimal. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $16,575, or $195 per 
airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

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):


[[Page 4756]]


2005-02-08 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13953. Docket No. FAA-
2004-19262; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-54-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective March 7, 2005.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A119, dated June 3, 2003.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of the drain line of the 
fuel feed shroud riding on the power feeder cables of the auxiliary 
power unit (APU). We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the 
power feeder cables of the APU, which could result in electrical 
arcing to adjacent structure and consequent fire in the airplane.

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.

Inspection/Related Corrective Action/Modification

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Do the 
actions required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD by doing 
all the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A119, including appendix A, 
dated June 3, 2003.
    (1) Accomplish a general visual inspection of the power feeder 
cables of the APU for chafing damage. Do any related corrective 
action before further flight.
    (2) Modify the drain line of the fuel feed shroud of the 
horizontal stabilizer (including a functional test after 
accomplishing the modification).

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``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 
ensure visual access to all 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.''

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A119, 
including appendix A, dated June 3, 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 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 January 18, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-1557 Filed 1-28-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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