[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 213 (Friday, November 3, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55785-55787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-27075]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-NM-205-AD; Amendment 39-9421; AD 95-22-13]


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series 
airplanes. This action requires an inspection to determine proper 
clamping and to detect damage of a wire bundle in the avionics 
compartment, and repair, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by a 
report of smoke and fire in the avionics compartment floor area that 
was caused by electrical arcing that occurred as the result of chafed 
wiring. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent smoke 
and fire in the avionics compartment due to such electrical arcing in 
the wire bundle; that condition could pose a hazard to the continued 
safe flight of the airplane.

DATES: Effective November 20, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 20, 1995.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before January 2, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 

[[Page 55786]]
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-205-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056.
    The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, 
California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business 
Administration, Department 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, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712; telephone (310) 627-5347; fax (310) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Recently, an operator of a McDonnell Douglas 
Model MD-11 series airplane reported that chafing and subsequent 
electrical arcing of wires in the avionics compartment floor area 
caused damage to wiring, insulation blankets, and equipment rack 
structure. The arcing also caused fire and smoke in the avionics 
compartment. Investigation revealed that the wire bundle was outside of 
the wire clamp, which was the result of improper clamping during 
manufacturing. This condition allowed the wiring to chafe against the 
clamp hardware and equipment rack structure. Chafing and subsequent 
electrical arcing of the wire bundle, if not corrected, could result in 
fire and smoke in the avionics compartment area. This condition could 
pose a hazard to the continued safe flight of the airplane.
    The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-24A094, dated October 12, 1995, which describes 
procedures for a visual inspection of the wire bundle in the avionics 
compartment for improper clamping or damage to the wiring. The service 
bulletin also contains procedures for repositioning of improperly 
clamped wire assemblies; and either splicing and replacing, or 
repairing damaged wiring. The alert service bulletin recommends that 
these actions be accomplished within six months.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other McDonnell Douglas MD-11 series airplanes of 
the same type design, this AD is being issued to prevent fire and/or 
smoke due to chafing and arcing of the wire bundle in the avionics 
compartment area. This AD requires a one-time visual inspection of the 
wire bundle in the avionics compartment to determine proper clamping of 
the wire bundle and to detect any damage of the wiring. Improperly 
clamped wire bundles must be properly repositioned. Damaged wiring must 
be repaired. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance 
with the alert service bulletin described previously.
    Operators should note that, although the alert service bulletin 
recommends accomplishing the visual inspection within six months (after 
the release of the service bulletin), the FAA has determined that an 
interval of six months would not address the identified unsafe 
condition in a timely manner. In developing an appropriate compliance 
time for this AD, the FAA considered not only the manufacturer's 
recommendation, but the degree of urgency associated with addressing 
the subject unsafe condition, the average utilization of the affected 
fleet, and the time necessary to perform the inspection (less than one 
hour). In light of all of these factors, the FAA finds 30 days to be an 
appropriate compliance time for initiating the required actions in that 
it represents the maximum interval of time allowable for affected 
airplanes to continue to operate without compromising safety.
    This AD also requires that operators report positive and negative 
results of the inspection to the FAA.
    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 95-NM-205-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.
    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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. 
A copy of it, if filed, 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. 

[[Page 55787]]


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), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

95-22-13  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9421. Docket 95-NM-205-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes having 
manufacturer's fuselage numbers 0447 through 0527, inclusive, 
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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent smoke and fire in the avionics compartment due to 
electrical arcing that results from chafing damage to wires, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
a visual inspection of the wire bundle in the avionics compartment 
for improper clamping and/or damage of the wiring, in accordance 
with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A094, dated 
October 12, 1995.
    (1) If the wire bundle is properly clamped and no damage is 
detected, no further action is required by this AD.
    (2) If the wire bundle is improperly clamped, prior to further 
flight, reposition the wire in the clamp in accordance with the 
alert service bulletin.
    (3) If any wiring is damaged, prior to further flight, 
accomplish either paragraph (a)(3)(i) or (a)(3)(ii) of this AD, as 
applicable:
    (i) For wires (Loop A and B) having damage to any one fire 
detector controller (engines 1, 2, 3, and APU): Prior to further 
flight, splice one loop and replace the wire for the other loop in 
accordance with the alert service bulletin.
    (ii) For wiring having damage other than that identified in 
paragraph (a)(3)(i) of this AD: Prior to further flight, repair the 
wiring in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
    (b) Within 15 days after accomplishing the visual inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, submit a report of the 
inspection results (both positive and negative findings) to the 
Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 3960 
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (310) 
627-5200; fax (310) 627-5210. Information collection requirements 
contained in this regulation have been approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been 
assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
    (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 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.

    (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.
    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A094, dated October 12, 1995. 
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, 3855 
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: 
Technical Publications Business Administration, Department C1-L51 
(2-60). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 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 November 20, 1995.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 26, 1995.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-27075 Filed 11-2-95; 8:45 am]
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