[Federal Register: February 1, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 21)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 4782-4784]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01fe00-12]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-264-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model
MD-11 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time detailed
visual inspection of the electrical connections to detect corrosion;
repair, if necessary; and installation of new circuit breakers and
associated wiring. This proposal is prompted by a report that the
ratings of certain circuit breakers of a certain video entertainment
system exceed the ratings of their associated electrical connector
contacts. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to
prevent a disparity between the ratings of certain circuit breakers and
their associated electrical connector contacts, which could damage the
electrical connector contacts and cause possible arcing and heat damage
to the electrical connector.
DATES: Comments must be received by March 17, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
[[Page 4783]]
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-264-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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 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,
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:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed 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 above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 99-NM-264-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 99-NM-264-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
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 the ratings of certain circuit breakers of a
certain video entertainment system exceed the ratings of their
associated electrical connector contacts on McDonnell Douglas Model MD-
11 series airplanes. This discrepancy between the ratings of the
circuit breakers and their associated electrical connector contacts can
allow the contacts to be damaged before the circuit breakers trip.
Investigation revealed that this condition is a result of a design
oversight that allows the use of the subject circuit breakers. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in damage to the electrical
connector contacts and cause possible arcing and heat damage to the
electrical connector.
This condition is not considered to be related to an accident that
occurred off the coast of Nova Scotia involving a McDonnell Douglas
Model MD-11 series airplanes. The cause of that accident is still under
investigation.
Other Relevant Rulemaking
The FAA, in conjunction with Boeing and operators of Model MD-11
series airplanes, is continuing to review all aspects of the service
history of those airplanes to identify potential unsafe conditions and
to take appropriate corrective actions. This proposed airworthiness
directive (AD) is one of a series of actions identified during that
process. The process is continuing and the FAA may consider additional
rulemaking actions as further results of the review become available.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Service
Bulletin MD11-23-082, dated August 17, 1999, which describes procedures
for a one-time detailed visual inspection of the electrical connections
to detect corrosion, and repair, if necessary. The service bulletin
also describes procedures for installation of new circuit breakers and
associated electrical wiring (including modification of a certain
nameplate). The modification involves marking the backside of the
nameplate with breaker numbers and applying a label. Accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately
address the identified unsafe condition.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, this
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in
the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 12 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 12 airplanes of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 30 work hours per airplane to
accomplish the proposed actions, at an average labor rate of $60 per
work hour. The manufacturer 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 proposed AD. Based on this
information the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $21,600, or $1,800 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 FAA has been
advised that manufacturer warranty remedies are available for labor
costs associated with accomplishing the actions required by this
proposed AD. Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on
U.S. operators may be less than the cost impact figure indicated above.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, will not have a significant
[[Page 4784]]
economic impact, positive or negative, on a substantial number of small
entities under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. A copy
of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is
contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by
contacting 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
McDonnell Douglas: Docket 99-NM-264-AD.
Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in
McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-23-082, dated August 17,
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 a disparity between the ratings of certain circuit
breakers and their associated electrical connector contacts, which
could damage the electrical connector contacts and possible arcing
and heat damage to the electrical connector, accomplish the
following:
Inspection, Installation, and Repair, If Necessary
(a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, perform a
detailed visual inspection of certain electrical connections to
detect corrosion, and install new circuit breakers and associated
electrical wiring (including modification of a certain nameplate),
in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-23-082,
dated August 17, 1999. If any corrosion is detected, prior to
further flight, repair in accordance with the service bulletin.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual
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.''
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
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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 21, 2000.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-2004 Filed 1-31-00; 8:45 am]
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