[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 77 (Thursday, April 22, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19693-19695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9735]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-43-AD; Amendment 39-11134; AD 99-09-02]
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 certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series 
airplanes. This action requires relocating the support bracket and 
rerouting the electrical wiring in the aft storage compartment drop 
ceiling structure. This amendment is prompted by an incident in which a 
burning odor was detected, and the rear galley power repeatedly tripped 
off line during flight of an in-service airplane, due to the sense 
wiring of the galley load control unit (GLCU) chafing against the 
support bracket. The actions specified in this AD are intended to 
prevent chafing of the sense wire of the GLCU due to the location of 
the support bracket of the aft drop ceiling, which could result in 
electrical arcing, smoke, and possible fire in the aft drop ceiling 
area of the passenger compartments.

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.

[[Page 19694]]

    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-43-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 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 in which a 
burning odor was detected, and the rear galley power repeatedly tripped 
off line. This incident occurred on a McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 
series airplane during flight.
    Investigation revealed that the sense wiring of the galley load 
control unit (GLCU) located in the aft drop ceiling of the passenger 
compartments chafed against the light ballast; consequently, the wiring 
shorted. The cause of such chafing has been attributed to the location 
of the support bracket of the aft drop ceiling. (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.)
    The location of the support bracket of the aft drop ceiling could 
cause chafing of the sense wire of the GLCU, which could result in 
electrical arcing, smoke, and possible fire in the aft drop ceiling 
area of the passenger compartments.

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 MD11-33A061, December 21, 1998, which describes procedures for 
relocating the support bracket and rerouting the electrical wiring in 
the aft storage compartment drop ceiling structure. 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 prevent 
chafing of the sense wire of the GLCU due to the location of the 
support bracket of the aft drop ceiling, which could result in 
electrical arcing, smoke, and possible fire in the aft drop ceiling 
area of the passenger compartments. This AD requires relocating the 
support bracket and rerouting the electrical wiring in the aft storage 
compartment drop ceiling structure. The actions are required to be 
accomplished in accordance with the alert service bulletin described 
previously.

Differences Between the AD and the Referenced Alert Service 
Bulletin

    Operators should note that, although the alert service bulletin 
recommends accomplishing the relocation and reroute 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 relocation and reroute 
(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-43-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

[[Page 19695]]

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, 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:

99-09-02  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11134. Docket 99-NM-43-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, manufacturer's 
fuselage numbers 0577, 0579, 0581, 0582, 0584, and 0586; 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD is applicable only to convertible freighters.
    Note 2: 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 prevent chafing of the sense wire of the galley load control 
unit (GLCU) due to the location of the support bracket of the aft 
drop ceiling, which could result in electrical arcing, smoke, and 
possible fire in the aft drop ceiling area of the passenger 
compartments, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, relocate 
the support bracket and reroute the electrical wiring in the aft 
storage compartment drop ceiling structure, in accordance with 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A061, dated December 
21, 1998.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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 3: 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

    (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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A061, dated December 21, 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.
    (e) 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. 99-9735 Filed 4-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P