[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 227 (Wednesday, November 25, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65047-65048]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-31318]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-NM-71-AD; Amendment 39-10910; AD 98-24-24]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain MD-11 series airplanes, that requires a one-time 
visual inspection to detect discrepancies of the seat tracks and 
adjacent structure underneath lavatories, and repair, if necessary. 
This amendment also requires installation of a non-metallic barrier on 
the bottom of each lavatory foot fitting, and replacement of existing 
seat track fittings with new seat track fittings. This amendment is 
prompted by reports of galvanic corrosion found on the seat tracks at 
attachment points under certain lavatories. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent corrosion of seat tracks and adjacent 
structure. Corrosion of the seat tracks and adjacent structure could 
result in shifting of lavatories, which could lead to injury of 
passengers and crew, as well as damage to aircraft structure and 
systems.

DATES: Effective December 30, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from The Boeing Company, Douglas Products Division, 3855 
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical 
Publications Business Administration, Dept. 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: David Hsu, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5323; 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 MD-11 series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on September 3, 1998 (63 FR 46934). 
That action proposed to require a one-time visual inspection to detect 
discrepancies of the seat tracks and adjacent structure underneath 
lavatories, and repair, if necessary. The action also proposed to 
require installation of a non-metallic barrier on the bottom of each 
lavatory foot fitting, and replacement of existing seat track fittings 
with new seat track fittings.

Comments

    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 comment 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 143 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 46 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 40 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspection, installation, 
and replacement, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts will cost less than $1,000 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$156,400, or $3,400 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.

[[Page 65048]]

    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:

98-24-24  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-10910. Docket 98-NM-71-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-53-043, Revision 02, dated 
May 28, 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 corrosion of seat tracks and adjacent 
structure, which could result in shifting of lavatories causing 
injury to passengers and crew, as well as damage to aircraft 
structure and systems, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 15 months after the effective date of this AD, 
conduct a visual inspection to detect discrepancies (i.e., corrosion 
and breakage) of the seat tracks and adjacent structure at the 
lavatory locations defined in JAMCO Service Bulletin MD11-25-1010, 
dated July 12, 1994.
    (1) If no discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, 
install a non-metallic barrier on the bottom of each lavatory foot 
fitting and replace existing seat track fittings with new fittings, 
in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD-11-53-043, 
Revision 02, dated May 28, 1996.
    (2) If any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, 
repair in accordance with the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Structural 
Repair Manual, or in accordance with a method approved by the 
Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Prior to further flight following 
accomplishment of the repair, install a non-metallic barrier on the 
bottom of each lavatory foot fitting and replace existing seat track 
fittings with new fittings, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas 
Service Bulletin MD-11-53-043, Revision 02, dated May 28, 1996.
    (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 ACO. 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 and replacement shall be done in accordance 
with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-53-043, Revision 02, 
dated May 28, 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 The Boeing 
Company, Douglas Products Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long 
Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business 
Administration, Dept. 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 December 30, 1998.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 17, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager,
Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-31318 Filed 11-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U