[Federal Register: February 17, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 33)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8028-8029]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17fe00-7]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-171-AD; Amendment 39-11572; AD 2000-03-13]
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 a one-time detailed visual inspection of the wire bundle
installation behind the first observer's station to detect damaged or
chafed wires; and corrective action, if necessary. This amendment is
prompted by a report indicating that the wire bundle contained in the
feedthrough behind the first observer's station was contacting the
bottom portion of the feedthrough. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent such contact, which could cause cable chafing,
electrical arcing, smoke, or fire 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, CA 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, CA; 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 and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 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 57814). That action proposed to require a one-time
detailed visual inspection of the wire bundle installation behind the
first observer's station to detect damaged or chafed wires; and
corrective action, if necessary.
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. One commenter states that
it is not affected by the proposed rule.
[[Page 8029]]
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 63 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 12 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work
hour per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $720, or $60
per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the
future if this AD were not adopted.
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:
2000-03-13 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11572. Docket 99-NM-171-
AD.
Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A041, Revision 01,
dated April 26, 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 (b) 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 the wire bundle contained in the feedthrough from
contacting the bottom of the feedthrough which could cause cable
chafing, electrical arcing, and smoke or fire in the cockpit,
accomplish the following:
Inspection and Modification
(a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, perform a
one-time detailed visual inspection of the wire bundle installation
behind the first observer's station to detect damaged or chafed
wires, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin
MD11-24A041, Revision 01, dated April 26, 1999.
Note 2:
For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is defined as:
``An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area,
system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or
irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct
source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the
inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc. may
be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be
required.''
(1) For airplanes identified as Group 1 in the service bulletin:
Accomplish paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (a)(1)(ii) of this AD, as
applicable.
(i) If no damaged or chafed wire is found, no further action is
required by this AD.
(ii) If any damaged or chafed wire is found, prior to further
flight, repair in accordance with the service bulletin;
(2) For airplanes identified as Group 2 in the service bulletin:
Accomplish paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this AD, as
applicable.
(i) If no damaged or chafed wire is found, within 1 year after
the effective date of this AD, revise the wire bundle support clamp
installation at the observer's station in accordance with the
service bulletin.
(ii) If any damaged or chafed wire is found, prior to further
flight, repair the wiring, and revise the wire bundle support clamp
installation at the observer's station in accordance with the
service bulletin.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) 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
(c) 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
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A041, Revision 01, dated April
26, 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.
(e) 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. 00-3617 Filed 2-16-00; 8:45 am]
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