Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 13, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77367-77369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31269]



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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 239 / Tuesday, December 13, 2011 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 77367]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0649; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-076-AD; 
Amendment 39-16882; AD 2011-25-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
The Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by a report that the rub strips attached to the horizontal 
stabilizer front spar access door location were manufactured improperly 
using anodized aluminum. This AD requires replacing the anodized rub 
strips with new alodined rub strips to prevent inadequate electrical 
bonding between the rub strips and the fuel access door, which can 
contribute to possible ignition of flammable fuel vapor in the tail 
fuel tank as a result of a lightning strike. We are issuing this AD to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 17, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of January 17, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-
0001; phone: (206) 544-5000, extension 2; fax: (206) 766-5683; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may 
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call (425) 227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Philip Kush, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
phone: (562) 627-5263; fax: (562) 627-5210; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2011 (76 FR 
38332). That NPRM proposed to require replacing the anodized rub strips 
of the tail fuel tank access door with new alodined rub strips.

Revisions to AD Language

    In the NPRM (76 FR 38332, June 30, 2011) we specified that this AD 
was prompted by a report that the rub strips of the tail fuel tank 
access door were manufactured improperly. We are revising the statement 
to more accurately reflect the location of the rub strips. We have 
revised the summary section and paragraph (e) of this AD accordingly.
    Also, to more accurately describe the rub strips, we have revised 
paragraph (g) of this AD to state, ``replace the anodized rub strips 
with new alodined rub strips.''

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comment received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to the comment.

Request To Revise Part Number

    UPS requested that Boeing revise the part number of the alodined 
rub strip specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin MD11-
55-027, dated March 17, 2011. UPS stated that the existing anodized rub 
strip has the same part number as the new alodined rub strip, and this 
may cause confusion for the operators. UPS stated that changing the 
part number of the new alodined rub strip would prevent an anodized rub 
strip from being installed instead of the required alodined rub strip.
    We disagree with the commenter's request to revise the part number 
of the alodined rub strip. Boeing has verified that prior to issuance 
of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin MD11-55-027, dated March 
17, 2011, two alodined rub strips have been sold to the MD-11 
operators. The rub strips are not part of the access door. They are 
riveted to the horizontal stabilizer front spar web and are not re-
installable after drilling out rivets during replacement. Since only 
alodined rub strips are available and since the anodized rub strips are 
destroyed during removal, reinstalling anodized rub strips is not 
possible. We have determined that the only airplanes with anodized rub 
strips are the airplanes listed in the Applicability section of this 
AD. No change has been made to the AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 120 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 77368]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                            Labor cost           Parts cost    product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace rub strips.......................  32 work-hours x $85 per               $0       $2,720        $326,400
                                            hour = $2,720.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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

    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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    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):

2011-25-06 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16882; Docket No. FAA-
2011-0649; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-076-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 17, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    The Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special 
Attention Service Bulletin MD11-55-027, dated March 17, 2011.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 5510: Horizontal stabilizer structure.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that the rub strips attached to 
the horizontal stabilizer front spar access door location were 
manufactured improperly using anodized aluminum. We are issuing this 
AD to prevent inadequate electrical bonding between the rub strips 
and the fuel access door, which can contribute to possible ignition 
of flammable fuel vapor in the tail fuel tank as a result of a 
lightning strike.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Installation

    Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the anodized rub strips with new alodined rub strips, in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention 
Service Bulletin MD11-55-027, dated March 17, 2011.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to 
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found 
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request 
to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District 
Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the 
manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in the Related Information section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Philip Kush, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles 
ACO, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
phone: (562) 627-5263; fax: (562) 627-5210; email: 
[email protected].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    You must use the following service information to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director 
of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 
(IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 of the following 
service information on the date specified:
    (1) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin MD11-55-027, dated 
March 17, 2011, approved for IBR January 17, 2012,
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-
0001; phone: (206) 544-5000, extension 2; fax: (206) 766-5683; 
email: [email protected]; Internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the referenced service information 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (425) 227-1221.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://
www.archives.gov/

[[Page 77369]]

federal--register/code--of--federal--regulations/ibr--
locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 23, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-31269 Filed 12-12-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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