[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 223 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63190-63192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30055]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-167-AD; Amendment 39-11427; AD 99-24-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes two existing airworthiness
directives (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11
series airplanes, that currently require inspections in the lower
center cargo compartment at frame 1681 to verify that a certain bracket
and a certain open face nylon clamp were installed to a specific wire
bundle support and to detect damage of the subject wire bundle; and
corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment requires a similar
inspection and corrective actions required by the existing AD's and
removes certain airplanes from the applicability of the existing AD's.
This amendment also adds a requirement to install a wire assembly
support bracket, clamp, and spacer, or revise the wire assembly support
bracket and clamp installation; as applicable. This amendment is
prompted by an incident in which the insulation blanket in the lower
center cargo compartment was found to be burnt due to a missing wiring
harness support bracket/clamp on a wire bundle. The actions specified
by this AD are intended to prevent sparks, smoke, and possible fire in
the lower center cargo compartment.
DATES: Effective December 27, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 27, 1999.
ADDRESSES: 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 Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 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,
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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 99-08-51,
amendment 39-11138 (64 FR 22544, April 27, 1999), and AD 99-09-51,
amendment 39-11154 (64 FR 23179, April 30, 1999), which are applicable
to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, was
published in the Federal Register on August 31, 1999 (64 FR 47438). The
action proposed to require inspection of the wire assembly, structure,
and blankets for evidence of arcing burns and chafing damage under the
center cargo compartment floor; installation of protective sleeving on
the wire assembly in the area of the frame; and corrective actions, if
necessary. For certain airplanes, the action proposed to require
installation of a wire assembly support bracket, clamp, and spacer. For
certain other airplanes, the action proposal to require revising the
wire assembly support bracket and clamp installation.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due
[[Page 63191]]
consideration has been given to the single comment received.
The commenter supports the proposed rule.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 183 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 63 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD.
It will take approximately 1 work hour to accomplish the
inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by this AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,780, or $60 per airplane.
It will take approximately 1 work hour to accomplish the
modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. The cost
of required parts will be nominal. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the modification required by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $3,780, or $60 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or 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 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, 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 removing amendment 39-11138 (64 FR
22544, April 27, 1999), and amendment 39-11154 (64 FR 23179, April 30,
1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39-
11427, to read as follows:
99-24-03 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11427. Docket 99-NM-167-
AD. Supersedes AD 99-08-51, Amendment 39-11138 and AD 99-09-51,
Amendment 39-11154.
Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A155, dated June 1,
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 sparks, smoke and possible fire in the lower center
cargo compartment, accomplish the following:
Phase 1: Inspection and Corrective Actions
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
an inspection of the wire assembly, structure, and blankets for
evidence of arcing burns and chafing damage under the center cargo
compartment floor, in accordance with Phase 1 of the Work
Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A155, dated June 1, 1999.
(1) Condition 1. If no arcing or chafing damage is detected,
prior to further flight, install protective sleeving on the wire
assembly in the area of the frame in accordance with the service
bulletin.
(2) Condition 2. If any damaged wire, structure, or blanket is
detected, prior to further flight, accomplish the actions specified
in paragraphs (a)(2)(i), (a)(2)(ii), and (a)(2)(iii) of this AD.
(i) Repair damaged wire and structure in accordance with the
service bulletin.
(ii) Repair or replace any damaged blanket with a new blanket,
in accordance with Chapter 25 of the Aircraft Maintenance Manual;
however, insulation blankets made of metallized
polyethyleneteraphthalate (MPET) may not be used.
(iii) Install protective sleeving on the wire assembly in the
area of the frame in accordance with the service bulletin.
Note 2: Accomplishment of the actions required by AD 99-08-51,
amendment 39-11138, and AD 99-09-51, amendment 39-11154, prior to
the effective date of this AD is considered acceptable for
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
Phase 2: Modification
(b) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish the actions specified in paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of
this AD, as applicable, in accordance with Phase 2 of the Work
Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A155, dated June 1, 1999.
(1) For airplanes identified as Group 1 in the service bulletin:
Install the wire assembly support bracket, clamp, and spacer.
(2) For airplanes identified as Group 2 in the service bulletin:
Revise the wire assembly support bracket and clamp installation.
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
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.
[[Page 63192]]
Incorporation by Reference
(e) Except as provided by paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this AD, the
actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert
Service Bulletin MD11-24A155, dated June 1, 1999. 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 December 27, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 10, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-30055 Filed 11-18-99; 8:45 am]
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