[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 33 (Thursday, February 17, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8031-8032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3619]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-169-AD; Amendment 39-11570; AD 2000-03-11]
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 adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, 
that requires 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 amendment is prompted by reports of smoke and sparks 
emanating from the anti-ice control panel in the cockpit. The actions 
specified by this 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: Effective March 23, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 23, 2000.

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, 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
MD-11 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 
27, 1999 (64 FR 57818). That action proposed to 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.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.
    One commenter supports the proposed rule. Another commenter states 
that it has no objection to the proposed rule.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
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 130 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 41 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will 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 required 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 is not attributable to this AD. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the 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

[[Page 8032]]

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 this 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 adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000-03-11  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11570. 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:

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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-30A020 Revision 03, dated May 5, 
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 March 23, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 10, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-3619 Filed 2-16-00; 8:45 am]
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