[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 46 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9098-9100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5080]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-37-AD; Amendment 39-9530; AD 96-05-04]


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), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. 
This action requires the installation of a control cable guard to 
separate the flight control cables from the electrical wiring of the 
aft left cabin attendant console. This amendment is prompted by reports 
of burnt electrical wire cable in the cabin attendant console that was 
caused by chafing of the wire cable against certain flight control 
cables. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
chafing of these wire cables, which could result in a fire hazard or 
damage to critical flight control cables.

DATES: Effective March 22, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 22, 1996.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before May 6, 1996.


[[Page 9099]]


ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-37-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: The FAA has received a report from an 
operator of McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, indicating 
that a burnt electrical wire cable was found in the cabin attendant's 
console located at door 4 left. Investigation has revealed that the 
electrical wiring of the cabin attendant console was damaged due to 
intermittent rubbing (chafing) between the wiring and one or both of 
the control cables of the rudder and horizontal stabilizer. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in a wiring short, which 
could lead to a fire. It also could result in damage to the control 
cable of the rudder or the horizontal stabilizer. Further, it could 
result in damage to and disabling of the evacuation warning system 
signaling system (EVAC).
    McDonnell Douglas has issued Service Bulletin MD11-27-051, dated 
December 9, 1995, which describes procedures for installing a guard to 
separate the flight control cables from the electrical wiring of the 
aft left cabin attendant console. Installation of this guard will 
prevent the rubbing (chafing) condition and will minimize the 
possibility of a wiring short.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is 
being issued to prevent chafing of the electrical wire cables in the 
aft left cabin attendant console against the flight control cables, 
which could lead to a fire hazard or damage to the control cables of 
the rudder or the horizontal stabilizer. This AD requires installation 
of a guard to separate the flight control cables and the electrical 
wiring of the aft left cabin attendant console. This action is required 
to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described 
previously.
    None of the Model MD-11 series airplanes affected by this action 
are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability 
of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign 
registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. 
However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that 
the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these 
subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future.
    Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
Register in the future, it would require approximately 2 work hours to 
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per 
work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $1,534 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be $1,654 per 
airplane.
    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and 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 96-NM-37-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.
    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.

[[Page 9100]]

Sec. 39.13   [Amended]

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

96-05-04 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9530. Docket 96-NM-37-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, having 
manufacturer's Fuselage Number 0458, 0459, 0460, 0463, 0464, 0465, 
0472, 0473, 0477, 0484, 0487, 0494, 0498, 0502, 0509, 0533, 0570, 
and 0571; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 chafing of the electrical wiring of the aft left 
cabin attendant console, which could lead to a potential fire hazard 
or damage to critical flight control cables, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, install 
a control cable guard in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service 
Bulletin MD11-27-051, dated December 19, 1995.
    (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 2: 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 
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.
    (d) The installation shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-27-051, dated December 19, 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 22, 1996.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 28, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-5080 Filed 3-6-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U