[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7318]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 5, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-NM-179-AD; Amendment 39-8865; AD 94-07-07]

 

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-
11F 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 
airplanes, that requires modification of the fuel crossfeed low level 
dump system shutoff. This amendment is prompted by an FAA determination 
that, in the event of a failure of the number 2 bus tie relay and the 
subsequent loss of the number 2 electrical power source, an all-engine 
flameout event could occur due to fuel starvation during or shortly 
after a fuel dumping operation. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent loss of the fuel dump system shutoff due to a 
failure of the number 2 DC bus electrical relay and the subsequent loss 
of the number 2 electrical power source.

DATES: Effective May 5, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 5, 1994.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach, 
California 90801-1771, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical 
Administrative Support, Department L51, M.C. 2-98. This information may 
be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, 
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raymond Vakili, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-141L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long 
Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-5262; fax (310) 988-
5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations to include an airworthiness directive (AD), that 
is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F 
airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on December 9, 1993 
(58 FR 64708). That action proposed to require modification of the fuel 
crossfeed low level dump system shutoff.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    Several commenters support the proposed rule.
    One commenter requests that the proposed compliance time of 15 
months to modify the fuel crossfeed low level dump system shutoff be 
extended to 24 months to coincide with regularly scheduled ``C'' 
checks. The commenter states that a compliance time of 24 months would 
allow operators some latitude to schedule the accomplishment of this 
modification. The FAA concurs with the commenter's request to extend 
the compliance time for the modification requirement so that the 
modification can be performed at a maintenance base during regularly 
scheduled maintenance where special equipment and trained maintenance 
personnel will be available if necessary. Extending the compliance time 
by 9 additional months will not adversely affect safety since the 
interim procedures [via a revision to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)] 
required by AD 92-22-06, Amendment 39-8392 (57 FR 47570, October 19, 
1992) will detect electrical malfunctions that may render the automatic 
fuel dump termination feature inoperative. Therefore, paragraph (a) of 
the final rule has been revised to specify a compliance time of 24 
months.
    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 with the change previously 
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.
    There are approximately 98 McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F 
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 43 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this 
AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $5,688 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $258,774, or $6,018 per airplane.
    The total 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.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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 14 CFR part 
39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

94-07-07 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-8865. Docket 93-NM-179-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes having 
manufacturer's fuselage numbers 447 through 544 inclusive, 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loss of the fuel dump system shutoff due to a failure 
of the number 2 DC bus electrical relay and the subsequent loss of 
the number 2 electrical power source, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the fuel crossfeed low level dump system shutoff in accordance with 
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Service Bulletin 28-48, dated September 30, 
1993. Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating 
action for the revisions to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) 
required by paragraph (a) of AD 92-22-06, Amendment 39-8392.
    (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: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the 
airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be 
accomplished.
    (d) The modification shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas MD-11 Service Bulletin 28-48, dated September 30, 1993. 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 McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. 
Box 1771, Long Beach, California 90801-1771, Attention: Business 
Unit Manager, Technical Administrative Support, Department L51, M.C. 
2-98. 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, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, 
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on May 5, 1994.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 23, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-7318 Filed 4-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U