[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 1, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4784-4786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2005]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-265-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-
11F Series Airplanes

AGENCY:  Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:  Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY:  This document proposes the supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas 
Model MD-11 and MD-11F series airplanes, that currently requires 
modification of the external power feeder cable clamping installation. 
That AD was prompted by reports of damage to the external power feeder 
cables located under the forward cargo compartment floor, which was 
caused by excessive cable length and/or maintenance personnel stepping 
on the cables. This action would add a new requirement to accomplish a 
detailed visual inspection of the external power feeder cables to 
detect chafed or damaged wires; and repair, if necessary. The actions 
specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent arcing from 
occurring under the forward cargo compartment floor as a result of 
damaged external power feeder cables, a situation that could lead to a 
fire at this location.

DATES:  Comments must be received by March 17, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-265-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, 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:

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

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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-265-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-265-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On May 23, 1994, the FAA issued AD 94-11-06, amendment 39-8922 (59 
FR 27972, May 31, 1994), which is applicable to certain McDonnell 
Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F series airplanes. That AD requires 
modification of the external power feeder cable clamping installation. 
The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent arcing from 
occurring under the forward cargo compartment floor as a result of 
damaged external power feeder cables, a situation that could lead to a 
fire at this location.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of AD 94-11-06, the FAA has reviewed and 
approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A078, Revision 
01, dated June 16, 1999, which describes procedures for a detailed 
visual inspection of the external power feeder cables to detect chafed 
or damaged wires; and repair, if necessary. The service bulletin also 
describes procedures for the same modification of the external power 
feeder cable clamping installation that is described in McDonnell 
Douglas Service Bulletin 24-78, dated May 10, 1994 (which was 
referenced in AD 94-11-06 as the appropriate source of service 
information).
    Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletins 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 supersede AD 94-11-06 to continue to require 
modification of the external power feeder cable clamping installation. 
The proposed AD also would require accomplishment of the actions 
specified in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A078 
described previously.

Other Related Rulemaking

    The FAA, in conjunction with Boeing and operators of Model MD-11 
and MD-11F 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.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 110 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 46 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD.
    The modification of the external power feeder cable clamping 
installation that is currently required by AD 94-11-06, and retained in 
this proposed AD, takes approximately 3 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Required 
parts cost approximately $395 per airplane. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $26,450, or $575 per airplane.
    The new actions that are proposed in this AD action would take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the new proposed requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $2,760, 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.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    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 removing amendment 39-8922 (59 FR 
27972, May 31, 1994), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
to read as follows:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 99-NM-265-AD. Supersedes AD 94-11-06, 
amendment 39-8922.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and MD-11F series airplanes, as 
listed in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 24-78, dated May 10, 
1994; certificated in any category.


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    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 arcing from occurring under the forward cargo 
compartment floor as a result of damaged external power feeder 
cables, a situation that could lead to a fire at this location, 
accomplish the following:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 94-11-06, Amendment 39-8922

Modification

    (a) Within 90 days after June 15, 1994 (the effective date of AD 
94-11-06, amendment 39-8922), modify the external power feeder cable 
clamping installation in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service 
Bulletin 24-78, dated May 10, 1994, or McDonnell Douglas Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-24A078, Revision 01, dated June 16, 1999.

New Requirements of This AD

Inspection

    (b) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, perform a 
detailed visual inspection of the external power cables between 
stations Y=635.000 and Y=655.000 to detect chafed or damaged wires, 
in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A078, Revision 01, dated June 16, 1999. If any chafed or damaged 
wire is found, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with 
the service bulletin.


    Note 2:  For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 
inspection is defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a 
specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to 
detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is 
normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at 
intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such 
as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate access procedures may be required.''

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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 21, 2000.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-2005 Filed 1-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U