[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 245 (Thursday, December 19, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66896-66897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32049]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-160-AD; Amendment 39-9862; AD 96-25-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series 
airplanes, that currently requires either the application of a vapor 
sealant on the back of the receptacle of the auxiliary power unit (APU) 
power feeder cable; or a one-time visual inspection for gold- plating 
and evidence of damage of the connector contacts of the power feeder 
cable of the APU generator, and various follow-on actions. This 
amendment adds a requirement for replacement of certain connector 
contacts (pins/sockets) with gold-plated contacts. This amendment is 
prompted by reports of burning and arcing of the connector contacts of 
the power feeder cable of the APU generator. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to reduce the potential for a fire hazard as a 
result of such burning or arcing.

DATES: Effective January 27, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-24A104, dated May 7, 1996, as listed in the regulations 
was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of 
June 21, 1996 (61 FR 28736, June 6, 1996).

ADDRESSES: 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 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 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (310) 627-5347; fax 
(310) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 96-12-10, 
amendment 39-9652 (61 FR 28736, June 6, 1996), which is applicable to 
certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, was published 
in the Federal Register on September 30, 1996 (61 FR 51058). The action 
proposed to require supersede AD 96-12-10 to continue to require a one-
time visual inspection for gold-plating and evidence of damage of the 
connector contacts of the power feeder cable of the auxiliary power 
unit (APU) generator, and various follow-on actions. This action also 
proposed to add a requirement for replacement of certain connector 
contacts with gold-plated contacts.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.
    The commenter supports the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    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 as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 149 McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series 
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 45 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this 
AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 96-12-10 take 
approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $5,400, or $120 per airplane.
    The new action (replacement) that is required by this new AD will 
take approximately 9 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour.

[[Page 66897]]

Required parts will cost approximately $909 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the new requirements of this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $65,205, or $1,449 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-9652 (61 FR 
28736, June 6, 1996), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
amendment 39-9862, to read as follows:

96-25-19  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9862. Docket 96-NM-160-AD. 
Supersedes AD 96-12-10, Amendment 39-9652.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes; as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A104, dated May 7, 
1996; 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 (d) 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.

    Note 2: Paragraph (a) of this AD merely restates the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of AD 96-12-10. As allowed by the 
phrase, ``unless accomplished previously,'' if those requirements of 
AD 96-12-10 have been accomplished previously, this AD does not 
require that they be repeated.

    To reduce the potential for a fire hazard as a result of burning 
and arcing of the connector contacts of the power feeder cable of 
the auxiliary power unit (APU) generator, accomplish the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 96-12-10

    (a) Within 60 days after June 21, 1996 (the effective date of AD 
96-12-10, amendment 39-9652), accomplish the actions specified in 
either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD in accordance with 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A104, dated May 7, 
1996.
    (1) Apply a vapor sealant on the back of the APU power feeder 
cable receptacle. Or
    (2) Accomplish the actions specified in both paragraphs 
(a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Perform a one-time visual inspection for color (gold-
plating) and evidence of damage of the connector contacts (pins/
sockets) of the power feeder cable of the APU generator located in 
the upper left corner of the APU compartment in the forward 
bulkhead. And
    (ii) Replace any damaged pin or socket with a gold-plated pin or 
socket, or deactivate the electrical operation of the APU until the 
replacement required by paragraph (c) of this AD is accomplished.

New Requirements of This AD:

    (b) For airplanes on which the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) 
of this AD have not been accomplished previously: Within 60 days 
after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the requirements of 
paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A104, dated May 7, 1996.
    (1) Perform a one-time visual inspection for color (gold-
plating) and evidence of damage of the connector contacts (pins/
sockets) of the power feeder cable of the APU generator located in 
the upper left corner of the APU compartment in the forward 
bulkhead. And
    (2) Replace any damaged pin or socket with a gold-plated pin or 
socket, or deactivate the electrical operation of the APU until the 
replacement required by paragraph (c) of this AD is accomplished.
    (c) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace any pin or socket that is nickel-plated or copper (brass) 
with a pin or socket that is gold-plated. Accomplish the replacement 
in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A104, dated May 7, 1996.
    (d) 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.

    (e) 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.
    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A104, dated May 7, 1996. This 
incorporation by reference was approved previously by the Director 
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51 as of June 21, 1996 (61 FR 28736, June 6, 1996). 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, 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on January 27, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 11, 1996.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-32049 Filed 12-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U