Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 3, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 216-219]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-28379]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0500; Product Identifier 2017-NM-009-AD; Amendment 
39-19142; AD 2018-01-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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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 fuel system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. This AD 
requires a one-time inspection of the wire assemblies of the tail fuel 
tank transfer pumps to determine if metallic transitions are installed 
at the wire harness breakouts, and corrective actions if necessary. We 
are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 7, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 7, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data 
Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 
90740; telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. 
You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards 
Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. It is also 
available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0500.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0500; 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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The address for the Docket Office 
(phone: 800-647-5527) is Docket 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: S[eacute]rj Harutunian, Aerospace 
Engineer, Propulsion Section, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-
5254; fax: 562-627-5210; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain The Boeing Company 
Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on May 30, 2017 (82 FR 24597). The NPRM was prompted by fuel 
system reviews conducted by the manufacturer. The NPRM proposed to 
require a one-time inspection of the wire assemblies of the tail fuel 
tank transfer pumps to determine if metallic transitions are installed 
at the wire harness breakouts, and corrective actions if necessary. We 
are issuing this AD to detect and correct potential ignition sources 
inside the tail fuel tank,

[[Page 217]]

which, in combination with flammable vapors, could result in a fuel 
tank fire or explosion, and consequent loss of the airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. The following presents the comments received on the 
NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

Supportive Comment

    The Air Line Pilots Association International stated that it agreed 
with the intent of the NPRM.

Request To Clarify the Description of the Unsafe Condition

    Boeing asked that we clarify the description of the unsafe 
condition identified in paragraph (e) of the proposed AD to add the 
potential of fuel starvation as the end-level effect. Boeing stated 
that referenced service information specifies that the unsafe condition 
could result in engine fuel starvation.
    We agree that damaged wires could result in fuel starvation as a 
potential unsafe condition. However, we have no SFAR88 analysis or 
service difficulty reports associated with the loss of system functions 
or fuel starvation from the chafed or damaged wires identified in this 
AD. We do have previous Special Federal Aviation Regulation 88 (SFAR88) 
ADs for wire harnesses in the same area that were issued to prevent 
wire chafing and potential ignition sources inside the fuel tank. The 
actions required by this AD are intended primarily to reduce the risk 
of other incidents of wires chafing and subsequent fuel tank fire or 
explosion. Therefore, we have made no change to this AD in this regard.

Request To Change Certain Estimates in Costs of Compliance Section

    FedEx asked that the work-hours under the On-Condition Costs for 
the replacement be increased from 16 to 100. FedEx stated that the 
replacement cost specifies 16 work-hours, but noted that replacement of 
only one affected part will actually take about 100 hours. FedEx added 
that 100 work-hours is only for one damaged wire assembly.
    United Parcel Service (UPS) asked that the work-hours under the On-
Condition Costs for the replacement be increased from 16 to 244. UPS 
stated that it has previously replaced this wire harness and it 
required 244 work hours to complete the replacement. UPS also asked 
that the cost for parts for the repair be added. UPS stated that it has 
sourced the materials and the cost is $1,680 per airplane (or $168 per 
transition location).
    We agree to revise the estimated on-condition work-hours. When 
issuing a service bulletin, Boeing estimates work-hours under expected 
conditions for direct labor only. As operators implement the service 
bulletin, they may find the actual work-hours are higher or lower than 
estimated. We have updated the Costs of Compliance section of this AD 
to reflect between 100 and 244 work-hours. We have also included the 
parts cost estimate provided for repairs.

Request To Add Information Notice To Service Information Citation

    FedEx asked that Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A150 IN 02, 
dated February 24, 2017, be added to the service information cited in 
paragraph (g) of the proposed AD. FedEx stated that the one-time 
inspection and corrective actions in paragraph (g) specify performing a 
detailed inspection in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A150, dated October 6, 2016. 
FedEx added that since the referenced service information was issued, 
Boeing released an information notice (IN 02) with part numbers for 
three new wire assembly kits.
    We disagree with the commenter's request. Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-28A150 IN 02, dated February 24, 2017, provides updated 
kit information for the operators. The individual wire assembly part 
numbers in the new kits are the same wire assembly part numbers needed 
for the replacement required by this AD as specified in the figures in 
Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-28A150, dated October 6, 2016. Since this AD only 
requires the replacement of certain individual wire assembly part 
numbers and not the kit part numbers that consist of the individual 
wire assembly part numbers, we have made no change to this AD in this 
regard.

Request To Clarify Paragraph (h) of the Proposed AD

    FedEx and UPS requested that we clarify the actions specified in 
paragraph (h) of the proposed AD. FedEx stated that paragraph (h) of 
the proposed AD provides information to perform different tests than 
those listed in steps 1.f, 1.g., and 1.h. of Part 4 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
28A150, dated October 6, 2016. FedEx stated it is not clear if the 
required test after rework is in accordance with steps 1.a. through 
1.j. of Part 4 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A150, dated 
October 6, 2016, or per the actions specified in (h)(1), (h)(2), and 
(h)(3) of this AD only. FedEx and UPS also stated that the proposed AD 
should require test procedures only for the section that Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-28A150, dated October 6, 2016, is addressing and 
not all the systems associated with wire assemblies AJS9013 and 
AJS9014. FedEx and UPS also noted that the airplane maintenance manual 
(AMM) references in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of the proposed AD are 
incorrect (AMM 28-28-01 should be AMM 28-08-01; AMM 26-21-02 should be 
AMM 28-21-02).
    We agree to clarify which actions are required by this AD. Steps 
1.f, 1.g., and 1.h. of Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A150, dated October 6, 2016, are 
required for compliance (RC) after any rework is done and only address 
the system affected by this AD. The other steps identified as ``RC 
exempt'' as specified in Part 4 of the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A150, dated October 6, 2016, are 
not a part of the requirements of this AD.
    The intent of paragraph (h) of the proposed AD was to specify the 
corrective action for RC tests. Steps 1.f, 1.g., and 1.h. of Part 4 of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
28A150, dated October 6, 2016, specify to accomplish tests but the 
steps do not specify corrective actions if the tests fail. To clarify 
that the tests themselves are not exceptions to Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-28A150, dated October 6, 2016, we have removed paragraph 
(h) of the proposed AD and included the corrective action statement for 
the tests in paragraph (g) of this AD.
    We acknowledge that the AMM references in paragraphs (h)(1) and 
(h)(2) of the proposed AD were incorrect and note that the AMM 
references for the tests are identified correctly in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-28A150, dated October 6, 2016.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this final rule with the changes described previously and minor 
editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and

[[Page 218]]

    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this final 
rule.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A150, dated 
October 6, 2016. The service information describes procedures for a 
one-time detailed inspection of the wire assemblies of the tail fuel 
tank transfer pumps to determine if metallic transitions are installed 
at the wire harness breakouts, and corrective actions that include 
repair and replacement of the wire assembly. This service information 
is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to 
it through their normal course of business or by the means identified 
in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 110 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection........................  4 work-hours x $85 per                 $0             $340          $37,400
                                     hour = $340.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs/
replacements that will be required based on the results of the 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that 
might need these repairs/replacements:

                                               On-condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Action                        Labor cost                Parts cost            Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair............................  9 work-hours x $85 per      Up to $1,680.........  Up to $2,445.
                                     hour = $765.
Replacement.......................  Between 100 and 244 work-   $57,526..............  Between $66,026 and
                                     hours x $85 per hour =                             $78,266.
                                     between $8,500 and
                                     $20,740.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes to 
the Director of the System Oversight Division.

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):

2018-01-01 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-19142; Docket No. FAA-
2017-0500; Product Identifier 2017-NM-009-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective February 7, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-11F 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A150, dated October 6, 2016.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28; Fuel.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the 
manufacturer. We

[[Page 219]]

are issuing this AD to detect and correct potential ignition sources 
inside the tail fuel tank, which, in combination with flammable 
vapors, could result in a fuel tank fire or explosion, and 
consequent loss of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) One-Time Inspection and Corrective Actions

    Within 27 months after the effective date of this AD, do a one-
time detailed inspection of the wire assemblies of the tail fuel 
tank transfer pumps to determine if metallic transitions are 
installed at the wire harness breakouts, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
28A150, dated October 6, 2016. If metallic transitions are 
installed, no further action is required by this paragraph. If 
metallic transitions are not installed, do the corrective actions 
required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable, 
and if, after any repair or replacement is done, any test fails, 
before further flight, do corrective actions, repeat the test, and 
do applicable corrective actions until the test is passed.
    (1) Repair any affected wire assembly before further flight, in 
accordance with Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A150, dated October 6, 2016, or 
replace any affected wire assembly with a new wire assembly before 
further flight, in accordance with Part 3 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A150, dated 
October 6, 2016. If the replacement is done, no further action is 
required for that wire assembly only.
    (2) Within 24 months after accomplishment of the repair required 
by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD: Replace any repaired wire assembly 
with a new wire assembly, in accordance with Part 3 of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
28A150, dated October 6, 2016.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (i) of this AD. Information may 
be emailed to: [email protected].
    (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.
    (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD 
if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization 
Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the 
Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, to make those findings. To be 
approved, the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration 
deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the 
approval must specifically refer to this AD.
    (4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs 
(h)(4)(i) and (h)(4)(ii) of this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the 
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is 
required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and 
identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact S[eacute]rj 
Harutunian, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Section, Los Angeles ACO 
Branch, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-
4137; phone: 562-627-5254; fax: 562-627-5210; email: 
[email protected].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A150, dated October 6, 
2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services 
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740; 
telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport 
Standards Branch, 1601 Lind Avenue SW, Renton, WA. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 26, 2017.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-28379 Filed 1-2-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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