[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 27, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57820-57822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27945]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-172-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 modification of the 
battery ground cable installation in the center accessory compartment. 
This proposal is prompted by reports of battery ground studs that had 
arced due to loose ground stud attachments. The actions specified by 
the proposed AD are intended to prevent such arcing, which could cause 
smoke and/or fire in the center accessory compartment.

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-172-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 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 statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 99-NM-172-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-172-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 battery ground studs that had arced on 
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. The cause of arcing of 
the battery ground studs has been attributed to loose ground stud 
attachments. This condition, if not corrected, could cause smoke and/or 
fire in the center accessory compartment.
    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.

[[Page 57821]]

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 MD11-24A141, dated May 17, 1999, and Revision 01, dated August 
23, 1999, which describes procedures for modifying the battery ground 
cable installation in the center accessory compartment. This 
modification includes: modifying, reidentifying, and installing a 
bracket assembly; trimming of a name plate; plugging open holes; 
installing a support assembly and clamp; and connecting the battery 
ground cable with improved attachments. 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 142 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 30 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
3 work hours per airplane (for Option 1; bracket assembly modification) 
or 2 work hours per airplane (for Option 2; bracket assembly 
replacement) to accomplish the proposed AD, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately 
$1,204 per airplane for Option 1, or $2,115 per airplane for Option 2. 
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators for Option 1 is estimated to be $41,520, or $1,384 per 
airplane. The cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators for 
Option 2 is estimated to be $67,050, or $2,235 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 that manufacturer warranty remedies are available for some 
labor costs associated with accomplishing the proposed actions. 
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-172-AD.
    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A141, Revision 01, 
dated August 23, 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 (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 arcing of the battery ground studs, which could cause 
smoke and/or fire in the center accessory compartment, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) For airplanes on which McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 
MD11-24-090, dated August, 28, 1997; Revision 1, dated June 10, 
1998; or Revision 2, dated May 17, 1999; has not been accomplished: 
Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the 
modification of the battery ground cable installation in the center 
accessory compartment specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of 
this AD, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin 
MD11-24A141, dated May 17, 1999, or Revision 01, dated August 23, 
1999.
    (1) Option 1 (Bracket Assembly Modification). Modify, 
reidentify, and install a modified bracket assembly; trim the 
nameplate; plug open holes; install the support assembly and clamp; 
and connect the battery ground cable with improved attachments.
    (2) Option 2 (Bracket Assembly Replacement). Install a new 
bracket assembly; plug open holes; install the support assembly and 
clamp; and connect the battery ground cable with improved 
attachments.

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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of

[[Page 57822]]

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 
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. 99-27945 Filed 10-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U