Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 237 (Thursday, December 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68172-68174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-32791]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-348-AD; Amendment 39-10937; AD 98-25-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. 
This action requires a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies at 
certain areas around the entry light connector of the sliding ceiling 
panel above the forward passenger doors, and repair, if necessary. This 
amendment is prompted by a report indicating that damaged electrical 
wires were found above the forward passenger doors due to flapper 
panels moving inboard and chafing the electrical wire assemblies of 
this area. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
such chafing, which could result in an electrical fire in the passenger 
compartment.

DATES: Effective December 28, 1998.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before February 8, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-NM-348-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    Information pertaining to this amendment may be examined at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Portwood, Aerospace Engineer,

[[Page 68173]]

ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712; telephone (562) 627-5347; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of its practice of re-examining all 
aspects of the service experience of a particular aircraft whenever an 
accident occurs, the FAA has become aware that damaged electrical wires 
were found above the forward left- and right-hand passenger doors on a 
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplane during a regularly 
scheduled heavy maintenance visit. Investigation revealed that, when 
the passenger doors are raised to the open position, the flapper panels 
above the passenger doors move inboard and chafe the electrical wire 
assemblies of this area. This condition, if not corrected, could lead 
to an electrical fire in the passenger compartment.
    This incident is not considered to be related to a recent accident 
that occurred off the coast of Nova Scotia involving a McDonnell 
Douglas Model MD-11 series airplane. The cause of that accident is 
still under investigation.

Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series 
airplanes of the same type design, this AD is being issued to prevent 
chafing of the electrical wires above the forward passenger doors, 
which could result in an electrical fire in the passenger compartment. 
This AD requires a one-time visual inspection to detect discrepancies 
(including, but not limited to, frayed, chafed, or nicked wires and 
wire insulation) in the areas listed below; and repair, if necessary:
    1. At the area around the entry light connector of the sliding 
ceiling panel above the forward left passenger door (1L) at station 
location x = 24.75, y = 435, and z = 64.5; and
    2. At the area above the forward right passenger door (1R) at 
station location x = -30, y = 430, and z = 70 in the area of bracket 
part number 4225419-1.
    This AD also requires operators to submit a report of the 
inspection results to the FAA.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by 
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. 
Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 98-NM-348-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    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

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

98-25-11  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-10937. Docket 98-NM-348-
AD.

    Applicability: All Model MD-11 series airplanes, certificated in 
any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent chafing of certain electrical wires above the forward 
passenger doors, which could result in an electrical fire in the 
passenger compartment, accomplish the following:

[[Page 68174]]

    (a) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a visual inspection to detect discrepancies that include but are not 
limited to frayed, chafed, or nicked wires and wire insulation in 
the areas specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
    (1) At the area around the entry light connector of the sliding 
ceiling panel above the forward left passenger door (1L) at station 
location x = 24.75, y = 435, and z = 64.5; and
    (2) At the area above the forward right passenger door (1R) at 
station location x = -30, y = 430, and z = 70 in the area of bracket 
part number 4225419-1.
    (b) If any discrepancy is detected during the visual inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, 
repair in accordance with Chapter 20, Standard Wiring Practices of 
the MD-11 Wiring Diagram Manual, dated January 1, 1998.
    (c) Within 10 days after accomplishing the visual inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, submit a report of the 
inspection results (both positive and negative findings) to the 
Manager, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5350; fax (562) 627-5210. 
Information collection requirements contained in this regulation 
have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-
0056.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 28, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 3, 1998.
John W. McGraw,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-32791 Filed 12-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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