[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 28, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52221-52223]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25020]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-216-AD; Amendment 39-11338; AD 99-20-08]
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), 
applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. This 
action prohibits installation of a certain In-flight Entertainment 
Network system. This amendment is prompted by the results of a special 
certification review of the in-flight entertainment system installed on 
a Model MD-11 series airplane that was involved in a recent accident. 
The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent possible 
confusion as the flightcrew performs their duties in response to a 
smoke/fumes emergency, which could impair their ability to correctly 
identify the source of the smoke/fumes and subsequently affect the 
continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.

DATES: Effective October 13, 1999.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before November 29, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-216-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    Information pertaining to this AD 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elvin Wheeler, Aerospace Engineer, 
ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712; telephone (562) 627-5344; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 2, 1998, a McDonnell Douglas 
Model MD-11 series airplane was involved in an accident near Halifax, 
Nova Scotia. To date, causal factors of the accident have not been 
determined; however, the National Transportation Safety Board is 
assisting Canadian authorities in determining the cause of the 
accident. It is known that smoke in the flight deck had been reported 
by the flightcrew, and there were indications of heat damage to 
electrical wires in the recovered wreckage.
    In the early phases of the accident investigation, interest was 
focused on the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system installed aboard 
the accident airplane. The IFE system installed on the accident 
airplane is known as the In-Flight Entertainment Network (IFEN). The 
modification of the MD-11 airplane involving the installation of the 
IFEN system was accomplished under the authority of Switzerland's 
Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA). The basis for FOCA's 
certifying the IFEN system in Switzerland was FAA Supplemental Type 
Certificate (STC) No. ST00236LA-D. That STC was issued by Santa Barbara 
Aerospace (SBA) under its authority as an FAA Designated Alteration 
Station (DAS).
    The FAA conducted a special certification review of the IFEN system 
approved by STC No. ST00236LA-D in order to determine if any unsafe 
design or unsafe installation features exist in connection with the 
IFEN system. The review identified two areas of concern, both relating 
to IFEN system electrical power and the airplane crew's ability to 
remove electrical power from it when necessary. There is no indication 
that the areas of concern identified by the FAA as a result of the 
special certification review are related to the cause of the accident. 
The Canadian authorities have not yet determined the cause of the 
accident.
    The current design of the IFEN system electrical power switching is 
not compatible with the design concept of the MD-11 airplane with 
regard to the response by the flightcrew to a cabin or flight deck 
smoke/fumes emergency. In addition, the current IFEN system design does 
not provide the flightcrew and/or cabin crew with the ability to remove 
electrical power by a means other than pulling the system's circuit 
breakers. The airplane manufacturer's

[[Page 52222]]

design concept of the airplane results in power being removed from the 
main cabin systems when the ``CAB BUS'' switch is engaged during a 
smoke/fumes emergency. However, the design of the IFEN system 
installation circumvented flightcrew procedures for responding to a 
smoke/fumes emergency by connecting the IFEN system to an electrical 
bus that is not de-energized when the ``CAB BUS'' switch is activated. 
Although the power to the IFEN system would eventually be removed via 
activation of the SMOKE ELEC/AIR rotary switch, the flightcrew would 
expect that selection of the ``CAB BUS'' switch would isolate all non-
essential power to the cabin. Also, the cabin crew is able to only 
deactivate individual in-seat video displays (ISVD) from the IFEN 
system management terminal, deactivation does not remove electrical 
power from the ISVD's and other IFEN system components. These 
conditions, if not corrected, could result in possible confusion as the 
flightcrew performs their duties in response to a smoke/fumes 
emergency, which could subsequently impair their ability to correctly 
identify the source of the smoke/fumes and subsequently affect the 
continued safe flight and landing of the airplane.
    At the present time, the IFEN approved by STC ST00236LA-D is not 
installed on any airplane of U.S. registry, and the STC holder has 
surrendered the STC to the FAA. Nevertheless, because the data were 
FAA-approved, it is possible that in the future an operator, in 
reliance on that approval, may decide to install the IFEN on its 
airplane. Therefore, an AD is necessary to prevent such installation.

Explanation of 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 prohibit installation of an In-flight Entertainment 
Network system approved by STC ST00236LA-D.

Cost Impact

    None of the Model MD-11 series airplanes affected by this action 
are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability 
of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign 
registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. 
However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that 
the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these 
subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the 
future.
    Since a specific modification commensurate with the requirements of 
this AD has not yet been developed, the FAA is unable at this time to 
provide specific information as to the number of work hours or cost of 
parts that would be required to accomplish actions associated with 
amendments to STC ST00236LA-D.
    As indicated earlier in this preamble, the FAA specifically invites 
the submission of comments and other data regarding this economic 
aspect of this proposal.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently 
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person. Therefore, prior notice and public 
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
Register.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and 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-216-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.
    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, 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:

99-20-08 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11338. Docket 99-NM-216-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

[[Page 52223]]

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 possible confusion as the flightcrew performs their 
duties in response to a smoke/fumes emergency, which could 
subsequently impair their ability to correctly identify the source 
of the smoke/fumes, and subsequently affect the continued safe 
flight and landing of the airplane, accomplish the following:

Modification

    (a) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
on any airplane an In-Flight Entertainment Network (IFEN) in 
accordance with data approved by Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
ST00236LA-D, dated November 19, 1996; Amendment 1, dated December 
18, 1996; Amendment 2, dated January 24, 1997; Amendment 3, dated 
February 3, 1997; Amendment 4, dated March 11, 1997; or Amendment 5, 
dated August 7, 1997.

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 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.

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.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on October 13, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 21, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-25020 Filed 9-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U