[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 18 (Thursday, January 28, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4291-4293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1976]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-10-AD; Amendment 39-11014; AD 99-03-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
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 all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes.
This action requires a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies of
certain wiring and insulation in the cockpit and cabin, and repair, if
necessary. This amendment is prompted by test results obtained in
support of an accident investigation. The actions specified in this AD
are intended to prevent electrical arcing of certain wiring, which
could cause a fire and/or smoke in the cockpit or cabin.
[[Page 4292]]
DATES: Effective February 12, 1999.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before March 29, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-10-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056.
The information concerning this amendment may be obtained from or
examined 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.
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 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5350;
fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 2, 1998, a McDonnell Douglas
Model MD-11 series airplane was involved in an accident following
takeoff from John F. Kennedy International Airport in Jamaica, New
York. The cause of the accident has not been determined.
In support of the subsequent accident investigation, examinations
were conducted on several Model MD-11 series airplanes; the
examinations focused on the area from the cockpit to station 515 (near
the forward doors of the airplane in the forward drop ceiling area).
The FAA recently has been informed of the results of these
examinations, which revealed chafed, cracked, broken, and cut
electrical and bonding wires in several of these areas. These
conditions, if not corrected, could result in electrical arcing of
wiring and consequent fire and/or smoke in the cockpit or cabin.
Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule
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 electrical arcing of wiring, which could cause
a fire and/or smoke in the cockpit or cabin. This AD requires
accomplishment of a one-time visual inspection to detect discrepancies
(including loose wire connections, loose ground wires, broken bonding
wires, small wire bending radii, cracked support brackets, and chafed
and cracked wire insulation) of the wiring and insulation in the
cockpit and overhead drop ceiling panel areas at stations Y=304 through
Y=516 and X=-27 left side through X=27 right side above the floor. The
inspection is required to be performed in accordance with a method
approved by the FAA.
This AD also requires repair of any discrepancy in accordance with
Chapter 20, Standard Wiring Practices of the MD-11 Wiring Diagram
Manual, dated October 1, 1998.
Further, this AD requires that operators report results of
inspection findings (both positive and negative) to the FAA.
Interim Action
This is considered to be interim action. The inspection reports
that are required by this AD will enable the manufacturer to obtain
better insight into the nature, cause, and extent of the discrepant
wiring, and eventually to develop final action to address the unsafe
condition. Once final action has been identified, the FAA may consider
further rulemaking.
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
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 99-NM-10-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
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.
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, 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:
[[Page 4293]]
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:
99-03-02 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11014. Docket 99-NM-10-AD.
Applicability: All Model MD-11 series airplanes, 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.
To prevent electrical arcing of certain wiring, which could
cause a fire and/or smoke in the cockpit or cabin, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD: Perform
the one-time visual inspections required by paragraphs (a)(1),
(a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD to detect discrepancies (including
loose wire connections, loose ground wires, broken bonding wires,
small wire bending radii, cracked support brackets, and chafed and
cracked wire insulation); in accordance with a method approved by
the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate.
(1) Inspect all cabin wiring and insulation, including the wire
harness protective wrap if applicable, on and above the forward
cabin drop ceiling, from the cockpit bulkhead (at approximately
station 392) to the aft edge of the forward drop ceiling (at
approximately station 516). And
(2) Inspect all cockpit wiring and insulation, including the
wire harness protective wrap if applicable, within the overhead
switch panel and overhead circuit breaker panel (at approximately
stations 304 through 360). And
(3) Inspect all cockpit wiring and insulation, including the
wire harness protective wrap if applicable, in the following areas:
Aft of the overhead circuit breaker panel (at
approximately station 360);
Forward of the cockpit entry bulkhead (at approximately
station 392);
16 inches left of centerline (at approximately station
X = -16); and
Above the top edge of the right clear-view window,
including wiring within and outboard of the upper and lower avionics
circuit breaker panels.
Note 2: Inspection of wiring within conduits is not required by
this AD.
Note 3: Insulation blankets (which hide wiring that is generally
routed through conduits) and wire harness protective wrap (including
gray sleeving, spiral wrap, and centerline tape) are not required to
be removed during the inspection.
(b) If any discrepancy is detected during any inspection
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight,
repair in accordance with Chapter 20, Standard Wiring Practices of
the MD-11 Wiring Diagram Manual, dated October 1, 1998.
(c) Within 10 days after accomplishing the inspections 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, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-
4137; fax (562) 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.
(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 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 4: 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) This amendment becomes effective on February 12, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 21, 1999.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-1976 Filed 1-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U