[Federal Register: February 17, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 33)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8031-8032]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17fe00-9]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-169-AD; Amendment 39-11570; AD 2000-03-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series
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 series airplanes,
that requires replacement of 10 amp circuit breakers with 5 amp circuit
breakers in the left and right windshield anti-ice power controllers;
and replacement of the anti-ice control panel with a new or modified
panel, or modification and reidentification of the anti-ice control
panel. This amendment is prompted by reports of smoke and sparks
emanating from the anti-ice control panel in the cockpit. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent burnt internal circuit
boards caused by a short in either the engine or airfoil anti-ice
valve, or the windshield anti-ice controller, which could result in
smoke in the cockpit.
DATES: Effective March 23, 2000.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 23, 2000.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division,
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention:
Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60).
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, Transport Airplane Directorate,
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, Technical Specialist,
Systems Safety and Integration, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L,
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October
27, 1999 (64 FR 57818). That action proposed to require replacement of
10 amp circuit breakers with 5 amp circuit breakers in the left and
right windshield anti-ice power controllers; and replacement of the
anti-ice control panel with a new or modified panel, or modification
and reidentification of the anti-ice control panel.
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.
One commenter supports the proposed rule. Another commenter states
that it has no objection to the proposed rule.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comments
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 130 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 41 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work
hours per airplane (if the anti-ice control panel is replaced) or 10
work hours per airplane (if the anti-ice control panel is modified and
reidentified) to accomplish the required actions, and that the average
labor rate is $60 per work hour. Honeywell has committed previously to
its customers that it will bear the cost of replacement parts. As a
result, the cost of those parts is not attributable to this AD. Based
on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be between $7,380 and $24,600; or between $180 and $600
per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions
in the future if this AD were not adopted. However, the
[[Page 8032]]
FAA has been advised by Honeywell that warranty remedies are available
for some of the labor costs associated with accomplishing the
modification of the anti-ice control panel required by this AD.
Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on U.S.
operators may be less than the cost impact figures indicated above.
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 ``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
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:
2000-03-11 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11570. Docket 99-NM-169-
AD.
Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-30A020, Revision 03,
dated May 5, 1999, 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 (c) 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 burnt internal circuit boards caused by a short in
either the engine or airfoil anti-ice valve, or windshield anti-ice
controller, which could result in smoke in the cockpit, accomplish
the following:
Replacement and Modification
(a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, replace
the 10 amp circuit breakers with 5 amp circuit breakers in the left
and right windshield anti-ice power controllers, and accomplish
either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, in accordance with
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-30A020 Revision 03,
dated May 5, 1999.
(1) Option 1. Replace the anti-ice control panel and return the
panel to Honeywell Inc. for modification and reidentification in
accordance with Option 1 of the service bulletin.
(2) Option 2. Modify and reidentify the anti-ice control panel
in accordance with Option 2 of the service bulletin.
Note 2: Replacements, modifications, and reidentifications
accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance
with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-30-020, dated March 6,
1995; Revision 01, dated February 20, 1996; or Revision 02, dated
August 25, 1997; are considered acceptable for compliance with the
requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
Spares
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install
an anti-ice control panel, part number 4059030-901 or -902, on any
airplane, unless it has been modified and reidentified as part
number 4059030-911 or -912, in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) or
(a)(2) of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) 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 Aircraft Certification
Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 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.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-30A020 Revision 03, dated May 5,
1999. 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 Aircraft
Group, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach,
California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business
Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). Copies may be inspected 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on March 23, 2000.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 10, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-3619 Filed 2-16-00; 8:45 am]
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