[Federal Register: February 17, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 33)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 8025-8027]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17fe00-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-173-AD; Amendment 39-11574; AD 2000-03-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-
11F 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 and MD-11F series
airplanes, that requires replacement of the existing terminal strips
and supports above the main cabin area; and installation of spacers
between terminal strips and mounting brackets in the avionics
compartment; as applicable. This amendment is prompted by a report
indicating that, during flight, an incident of electrical arcing
occurred at a terminal strip located overhead in the main cabin. The
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent electrical arcing
caused by power feeder cable terminal lugs grounding against terminal
strip support brackets, which could result in smoke and fire in the
main cabin or avionics compartment.
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, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane
[[Page 8026]]
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 and MD-11F series airplanes was published in the Federal Register
on October 27, 1999 (64 FR 57823). That action proposed to require
replacement of the existing terminal strips and supports above the main
cabin area; and installation of spacers between terminal strips and
mounting brackets in the avionics compartment; as applicable.
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.
Both commenters support the proposed rule.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
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 136 airplanes listed in McDonnell Douglas
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A147, dated March 24, 1999, in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 40 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the required installation, and that
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately $445 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the installation required by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $25,000, or $625 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:
2000-03-15 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11574. Docket 99-NM-173-
AD.
Applicability: Model MD-11 and MD-11F series airplanes, as
listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A150,
dated March 25, 1999, and McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin
MD11-24A147, dated March 24, 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 electrical arcing caused by power feeder cable
terminal lugs grounding against terminal strip support brackets,
which could result in smoke and fire in the main cabin or avionics
compartment, accomplish the following:
Replacement of Terminal Strips and Supports
(a) For airplanes listed in the effectivity of McDonnell Douglas
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A150, dated March 25, 1999, on which
the modification specified in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin
MD11-24-085, dated August 1, 1995, has not been accomplished: Within
1 year after the effective date of this AD, replace the existing
terminal strips and supports above the main cabin at station Y=5-
32.000 with new terminal strips and supports in accordance with
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A150, dated March
25, 1999.
Installation of Spacers
(b) For airplanes listed in the effectivity of McDonnell Douglas
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A147, dated March 24, 1999: Within 6
months after the effective date of this AD, install spacers between
terminal strips and mounting brackets in the avionics compartment in
accordance with the service bulletin.
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 2: 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 replacement and installation shall be done in accordance
with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A150, dated
March 25, 1999; and McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A147, dated March 24, 1999; as applicable. 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
[[Page 8027]]
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. 00-3615 Filed 2-16-00; 8:45 am]
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