[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 77 (Thursday, April 22, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19691-19693]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9734]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-42-AD; Amendment 39-11133; AD 99-09-01]
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 certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series
airplanes. This action requires a visual inspection to verify that the
channel flanges of the bracket installations are facing forward and to
detect chafing or damage of the wire bundles of the center accessory
compartment (CAC), and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment
also requires that operators submit a report of the inspection results
to the FAA. This amendment is prompted by an incident in which sparks
and smoke came out of the CAC during a functional test due to a wire
bundle that had chafed against a support bracket installation, which
was installed improperly during production of the airplane. The actions
specified in this AD are intended to ensure that such bracket
installations are installed properly. Improper installation of the
brackets of the CAC could cause chafing of the wire bundles, which
could result in sparks, smoke, and possible fire in the CAC.
DATES: Effective May 7, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 7, 1999.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before June 21, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-42-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach 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 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Portwood, Aerospace Engineer,
ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane
[[Page 19692]]
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (562) 627-5350; fax
(562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of its practice of re-examining all
aspects of the service experience of a particular aircraft whenever an
accident occurs, the FAA has become aware of an incident of sparks and
smoke coming out of the right side of the center accessory compartment
(CAC). This incident occurred on a McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series
airplane during a modification functional test.
Investigation revealed the source of the sparks and smoke to be a
wire bundle that had chafed against a support bracket installation. A
similar condition was noted on the left side of the CAC. The cause of
such chafing has been attributed to improper installation (i.e., flange
facing aft) of the brackets during production of the airplane. (This
incident is not considered to be related to an accident that occurred
off the coast of Nova Scotia involving a McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11
series airplane. The cause of that accident is still under
investigation.)
Improper installation of the brackets of the CAC could cause
chafing of the wire bundles, which could result in sparks, smoke, and
possible fire in the CAC.
Other Related Rulemaking
The FAA, in conjunction with Boeing and operators of Model MD-11
series airplanes, is continuing to review all aspects of the service
history of those airplanes to identify potential unsafe conditions and
to take appropriate corrective actions. This airworthiness directive
(AD) is one of a series of actions identified during that process. The
process is continuing and the FAA may consider additional rulemaking
actions as further results of the review become available.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service
Bulletin MD11-24A139, dated November 23, 1998. The alert service
bulletin describes procedures for a visual inspection to verify that
the channel flanges of the bracket installations are facing forward and
to detect chafing or damage of the wire bundles on the left and right
sides of the center accessory compartment, and corrective actions, if
necessary. The corrective actions include removing bracket
installations that are facing aft; retaining bracket attaching hardware
and wire clamps; reinstalling the bracket with flanges facing forward;
reinstalling clamps; and repairing chafed or damaged wire bundles.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the alert service bulletin
is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series
airplanes of the same type design, this AD is being issued to ensure
that the support bracket installations are installed properly. Improper
installation of the brackets of the CAC could cause chafing of the wire
bundles, which result in sparks, smoke, and possible fire in the CAC.
This AD requires a visual inspection to verify that the channel flanges
of the bracket installations are facing forward and to detect chafing
or damage of the wire bundles on the left and right sides of the center
accessory compartment, and corrective actions, if necessary. The
actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the alert
service bulletin described previously. This AD also requires that
operators submit a report of the inspection results to the FAA.
Differences Between the AD and the Referenced Alert Service
Bulletin
Operators should note that, although the alert service bulletin
recommends accomplishing the visual inspection within 6 months (after
the release of the service bulletin), the FAA has determined that an
interval of 6 months would not address the identified unsafe condition
in a timely manner. In developing an appropriate compliance time for
this AD, the FAA considered not only the manufacturer's recommendation,
but the degree of urgency associated with addressing the subject unsafe
condition, the average utilization of the affected fleet, and the time
necessary to perform the inspection (two work hours). In light of all
of these factors, the FAA finds a 60-day compliance time for initiating
the required actions to be warranted, in that it represents an
appropriate interval of time allowable for affected airplanes to
continue to operate without compromising safety.
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-42-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
[[Page 19693]]
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, 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:
99-09-01 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11133. Docket 99-NM-42-AD.
Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, manufacturer's
fuselage numbers 0447 through 0464 inclusive, 0466 through 0552
inclusive, and 0554 through 0618 inclusive; 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 (c) 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 ensure that the support bracket installations of the center
accessory compartment (CAC) are installed properly, accomplish the
following:
Visual Inspection
(a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a visual inspection to verify that the channel flanges of the
bracket installations are facing forward and to detect chafing or
damage of the wire bundles on the left and right sides of the CAC,
in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A139, dated November 23, 1998.
Condition 1
(1) If all bracket installations are facing forward, and if no
chafing or damage is detected, no further action is required by this
AD.
Condition 2
(2) If any bracket installation is facing aft, prior to further
flight, remove and retain bracket attaching hardware and wire
clamps, reinstall the bracket with flanges facing forward, and
reinstall clamps, in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
(3) If any chafing or damage is detected, prior to further
flight, repair in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
Reporting Requirement
(b) Within 10 days after accomplishing the inspection 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 (ACO), 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.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) 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.
Special Flight Permits
(d) 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.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A139, dated November 23, 1998.
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 Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group,
Long Beach 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.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on May 7, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 13, 1999.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-9734 Filed 4-21-99; 8:45 am]
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