[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 27, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57818-57820]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27944]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-169-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
MD-11 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of 10 
amp circuit breakers with 5 amp circuit breakers in the left and right 
windshield anti-ice power controllers; and replacement of the anti-ice 
control panel with a new or modified panel, or modification and 
reidentification of the anti-ice control panel. This proposal is 
prompted by reports of smoke and sparks emanating from the anti-ice 
control panel in the cockpit. The actions specified by the proposed AD 
are intended to prevent burnt internal circuit boards caused by a short 
in either the engine or airfoil anti-ice valve, or the windshield anti-
ice controller, which could result in smoke in the cockpit.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-169-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Portwood, Technical Specialist, 
Systems Safety and Integration, 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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed 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 above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following

[[Page 57819]]

statement is made: ``Comments to Docket Number 99-NM-169-AD.'' The 
postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 99-NM-169-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    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 several incidents of smoke and sparks emanating 
from the anti-ice control panel in the cockpit. These incidents 
occurred on McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes.
    Investigation revealed that a short occurred in either the engine 
or airfoil anti-ice valve, or windshield anti-ice controller. This 
short caused certain internal circuit boards to burn. This condition, 
if not corrected, could burn the internal circuit boards, which could 
result in smoke and sparks emanating from the anti-ice control panel 
and consequent smoke in the cockpit.
    These incidents are 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.

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 proposed 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 MD11-30A020, Revision 03 dated, May 5, 1999, which describes 
procedures for replacement of 10 amp circuit breakers with 5 amp 
circuit breakers in the left and right windshield anti-ice power 
controllers; and replacement of the anti-ice control panel with a new 
or modified panel, or modification and reidentification of the anti-ice 
control panel. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service 
bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe 
condition.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the 
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 130 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 41 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
3 work hours per airplane (if the anti-ice control panel is replaced) 
or 10 work hours per airplane (if the anti-ice control panel is 
modified and reidentified) to accomplish the proposed actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Honeywell has committed 
previously to its customers that it will bear the cost of replacement 
parts. As a result, the cost of those parts are not attributable to 
this proposed AD. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $7,380 and 
$24,600; or between $180 and $600 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements 
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions 
in the future if this AD were not adopted. However, the FAA has been 
advised by Honeywell that warranty remedies are available for some of 
the labor costs associated with accomplishing the modification of the 
anti-ice control panel required by the proposed AD. Therefore, the 
future economic cost impact of this rule on U.S. operators may be less 
than the cost impact figures indicated above.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 99-NM-169-AD.
    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-30A020, Revision 03, 
dated May 5, 1999; 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 prevent burnt internal circuit boards caused by a short in 
either the engine or airfoil anti-ice valve, or windshield anti-ice 
controller, which could result in smoke in the cockpit, accomplish 
the following:

[[Page 57820]]

Replacement and Modification

    (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the 10 amp circuit breakers with 5 amp circuit breakers in the left 
and right windshield anti-ice power controllers, and accomplish 
either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, in accordance with 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-30A020 Revision 03, 
dated May 5, 1999.
    (1) Option 1. Replace the anti-ice control panel and return the 
panel to Honeywell Inc. for modification and reidentification in 
accordance with Option 1 of the service bulletin.
    (2) Option 2. Modify and reidentify the anti-ice control panel 
in accordance with Option 2 of the service bulletin.

    Note 2: Replacements, modifications, and reidentifications 
accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance 
with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-30-020, dated March 6, 
1995; Revision 01, dated February 20, 1996; or Revision 02, dated 
August 25, 1997; are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
an anti-ice control panel, part number 4059030-901 or -902, on any 
airplane, unless it has been modified and reidentified as part 
number 4059030-911 or -912, in accordance with paragraph (a)(1) or 
(a)(2) of this AD.

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 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

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 20, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27944 Filed 10-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U