[Federal Register: February 1, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 21)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 4784-4786]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01fe00-13]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-265-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-
11F Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas
Model MD-11 and MD-11F series airplanes, that currently requires
modification of the external power feeder cable clamping installation.
That AD was prompted by reports of damage to the external power feeder
cables located under the forward cargo compartment floor, which was
caused by excessive cable length and/or maintenance personnel stepping
on the cables. This action would add a new requirement to accomplish a
detailed visual inspection of the external power feeder cables to
detect chafed or damaged wires; and repair, if necessary. The actions
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent arcing from
occurring under the forward cargo compartment floor as a result of
damaged external power feeder cables, a situation that could lead to a
fire at this location.
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,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-265-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
[[Page 4785]]
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-265-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-265-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On May 23, 1994, the FAA issued AD 94-11-06, amendment 39-8922 (59
FR 27972, May 31, 1994), which is applicable to certain McDonnell
Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F series airplanes. That AD requires
modification of the external power feeder cable clamping installation.
The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent arcing from
occurring under the forward cargo compartment floor as a result of
damaged external power feeder cables, a situation that could lead to a
fire at this location.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
Since the issuance of AD 94-11-06, the FAA has reviewed and
approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A078, Revision
01, dated June 16, 1999, which describes procedures for a detailed
visual inspection of the external power feeder cables to detect chafed
or damaged wires; and repair, if necessary. The service bulletin also
describes procedures for the same modification of the external power
feeder cable clamping installation that is described in McDonnell
Douglas Service Bulletin 24-78, dated May 10, 1994 (which was
referenced in AD 94-11-06 as the appropriate source of service
information).
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins 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, the
proposed AD would supersede AD 94-11-06 to continue to require
modification of the external power feeder cable clamping installation.
The proposed AD also would require accomplishment of the actions
specified in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A078
described previously.
Other Related Rulemaking
The FAA, in conjunction with Boeing and operators of Model MD-11
and MD-11F 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 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.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 110 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 46 airplanes of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD.
The modification of the external power feeder cable clamping
installation that is currently required by AD 94-11-06, and retained in
this proposed AD, takes approximately 3 work hours per airplane to
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required
parts cost approximately $395 per airplane. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $26,450, or $575 per airplane.
The new actions that are proposed in this AD action would take
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the new proposed requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $2,760, or $60 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or proposed
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 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 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 removing amendment 39-8922 (59 FR
27972, May 31, 1994), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD),
to read as follows:
McDonnell Douglas: Docket 99-NM-265-AD. Supersedes AD 94-11-06,
amendment 39-8922.
Applicability: Model MD-11 and MD-11F series airplanes, as
listed in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 24-78, dated May 10,
1994; certificated in any category.
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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 arcing from occurring under the forward cargo
compartment floor as a result of damaged external power feeder
cables, a situation that could lead to a fire at this location,
accomplish the following:
Restatement of Requirements of AD 94-11-06, Amendment 39-8922
Modification
(a) Within 90 days after June 15, 1994 (the effective date of AD
94-11-06, amendment 39-8922), modify the external power feeder cable
clamping installation in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service
Bulletin 24-78, dated May 10, 1994, or McDonnell Douglas Alert
Service Bulletin MD11-24A078, Revision 01, dated June 16, 1999.
New Requirements of This AD
Inspection
(b) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, perform a
detailed visual inspection of the external power cables between
stations Y=635.000 and Y=655.000 to detect chafed or damaged wires,
in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A078, Revision 01, dated June 16, 1999. If any chafed or damaged
wire is found, 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
(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
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. 00-2005 Filed 1-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U