[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 91 (Monday, May 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25839-25840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-12250]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-283-AD; Amendment 39-10024; AD 97-10-12]
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 adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, 
that requires a one-time inspection to detect riding, chafing, or 
damage of the wire bundles adjacent to the disconnect panel bracket of 
the observer's station. This amendment also requires repair or 
replacement of damaged wires with new or serviceable wires; 
installation of anti-chafing sleeving on the wire bundles, if 
necessary; and installation of grommet along the entire upper aft edge 
of the disconnect panel bracket. This amendment is prompted by a report 
indicating that the circuit breakers tripped on a Model MD-11 series 
airplane due to inflight arcing behind the avionics circuit breaker 
panel as a result of chafing of the wire bundles adjacent to the 
disconnect panel bracket assembly. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to detect and correct such chafing, which could result in a 
fire in the wire bundles and smoke in the cockpit.

DATES: Effective June 16, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 16, 1997.

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 (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 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
February 18, 1997 (62 FR 7182). That action proposed to require a one-
time inspection to detect riding, chafing, or damage of the wire 
bundles adjacent to the disconnect panel bracket of the observer's 
station. That action also proposed to require repair or replacement of 
damaged wires with new or serviceable wires; installation of anti-
chafing sleeving on the wire bundles, if necessary; and installation of 
grommet along the entire upper aft edge of the disconnect panel 
bracket.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the two comments received.
    Both commenters support the proposal.

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 as proposed.

[[Page 25840]]

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 86 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, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,100, or $180 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 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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

97-10-12  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-10024. Docket 96-NM-283-
AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-24-111, dated December 3, 
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 (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 detect and correct chafing of the wire bundles adjacent to 
the disconnect panel bracket assembly and consequent inflight arcing 
behind the avionics circuit breaker, which could result in a fire in 
the wire bundles and smoke in the cockpit, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD: Perform 
a one-time inspection to detect riding, chafing, or damage of the 
wire bundles adjacent to the disconnect panel bracket of the 
observer's station, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service 
Bulletin MD11-24-111, dated December 3, 1996.
    (1) Condition 1. If any riding or chafing is found, and if any 
damage is found: Prior to further flight, repair or replace any 
damaged wires with new or serviceable wires; install anti-chafing 
sleeving on the wire bundles; and install a grommet along the entire 
upper aft edge of the disconnect panel bracket; in accordance with 
the service bulletin.
    (2) Condition 2. If any riding or chafing is found, but no 
damage is found: Prior to further flight, install anti-chafing 
sleeving on the wire bundles, and install a grommet along the entire 
upper aft edge of the disconnect panel bracket, in accordance with 
the service bulletin.
    (3) Condition 3. If no riding, chafing, or damage is found: 
Prior to further flight, install a protective grommet along the 
entire upper aft edge of the disconnect panel bracket in accordance 
with the service bulletin.
    (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 actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-24-111, dated December 3, 1996. 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, 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on June 16, 1997.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 5, 1997.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-12250 Filed 5-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U