[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 1, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4793-4795]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-2010]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-270-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY:  Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

[[Page 4794]]


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 a general visual 
inspection of wiring behind the control panel of the auxiliary power 
unit (APU) located in the cockpit to detect chafing; repair if 
necessary; and modification of the wiring. This proposal is prompted by 
an incident of chafing of wire bundles of the control module of the 
APU. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent 
such chafing and resultant arcing due to insufficient clearance between 
the wire bundles and the airplane structure, which could result in 
smoke and fire in the flight deck.

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-270-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 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-270-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-270-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Supplementary Information

    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 one instance of chafing of wire bundles of the 
control module of the auxiliary power unit (APU) located in the cockpit 
overhead panel. This incident occurred on a McDonnell Douglas Model MD-
11 series airplane. The chafing has been attributed to insufficient 
clearance between the wire bundles and airplane structure. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in arcing and consequent 
smoke and fire in the flight deck.
    This incident is 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 airworthiness 
directive (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 MD11-24A116, Revision 01, dated October 11, 1999, which 
describes procedures for a general visual inspection of wiring behind 
the control panel of the APU located in the cockpit to detect chafing; 
repair, if necessary; and modification of the wiring behind the control 
panel of the APU. The modification includes installation of sleeving 
and fiber tying tape over wires. 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, this 
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 164 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 61 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD. It would take approximately 1 
work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, at an 
average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the inspection proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $3,660, or $60 per airplane.
    The FAA also estimates that it would take approximately 1 work hour 
per airplane to accomplish the proposed modification, at an average 
labor rate of $60 per work hour. The cost of required parts would be 
nominal. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the modification 
proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,660, or $60 
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.

[[Page 4795]]

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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 99-NM-270-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A116, Revision 01, 
dated October 11, 1999; except for those airplanes on which the 
modification specified in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-
24-116, dated May 14, 1997, has been accomplished; certificated in 
any category.

    Note 1:
     This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding 
applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise 
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 wire chafing of the control panel of the auxiliary 
power unit (APU) and resultant arcing due to insufficient clearance 
between the wire bundles and the airplane structure, which could 
result in smoke and fire in the flight deck, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a general visual inspection of wiring behind the control 
panel of the APU to detect chafing, in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A116, Revision 01, dated 
October 11, 1999.

    Note 2:
     For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is 
defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, 
installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or 
irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally available 
lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or 
drop-light, and may require removal or opening of access panels or 
doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity 
to the area being checked.''

    (1) If no chafing is found, prior to further flight, accomplish 
the requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD.
    (2) If any chafing is found, prior to further flight, repair in 
accordance with the service bulletin and accomplish the requirements 
of paragraph (b) of this AD.

Modification

    (b) Modify the wiring behind the APU control panel (i.e., 
install sleeving and fiber tying tape over wires) in accordance with 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A116, Revision 01, 
dated October 11, 1999.

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. 00-2010 Filed 1-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U