[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 43 (Friday, March 3, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11459-11461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5133]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-61-AD; Amendment 39-11610; AD 2000-05-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY:  Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:  Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY:  This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas MD-11 series airplanes. This 
action requires the deactivation of the forward and center cargo 
control units (CCU). This amendment is prompted by a report of failure 
of a CCU which produced overheating of the electrical pins inside the 
CCU; the subsequent release of hot gases and flames ignited an adjacent 
insulation blanket. The actions specified in this AD are intended to 
prevent such conditions, which could result in smoke and fire in the 
cargo compartment.

DATES:  Effective March 20, 2000.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before May 2, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-61-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    Information pertaining to this amendment may be obtained from or 
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

[[Page 11460]]

90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5350; fax (562) 627-5210.

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 an incident that occurred 
on a McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplane. This incident was a 
failure of the cargo control unit (CCU) assembly due to damage of the 
printed circuit board (PCB) in the CCU, as a result of an external 
short to ground on one or more of the power output lines of the 
alternating current. This failure resulted in overheating of the 
electrical pins inside the CCU, and the subsequent release of hot gases 
and flames through the external cover, which ignited a metallized mylar 
insulation blanket adjacent to the CCU. Such conditions, if not 
corrected, could result in smoke and fire in the cargo compartment.
    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 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 the Requirements of the Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other McDonnell Douglas MD-11 series airplanes of 
the same type design, this AD is being issued to prevent overheating of 
the electrical pins inside the CCU and subsequent release of hot gases 
and flames, which could result in smoke and fire in the cargo 
compartment. This AD requires the deactivation of the forward and 
center CCU's.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action. The FAA is currently 
considering requiring a modification of the CCU assembly would 
constitute terminating action for the requirements of this AD. However, 
the planned compliance time for the installation of the modification is 
sufficiently long so that notice and opportunity for prior public 
comment will be practicable.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves 
requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by 
notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on 
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 under the caption ADDRESSES. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments will 
be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments 
received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be 
needed.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the 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 that 
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-61-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

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.
    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and that it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further 
that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is 
determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be 
significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final 
regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket.
    A copy of it, if filed, 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, 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:

2000-05-01  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11610. Docket 2000-NM-
61-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, certificated in any 
category, having the serial numbers listed below.

[[Page 11461]]

Group 1 Airplanes

 
 
 
48565              48566              48533              48549              48470              48406
48504              48602              48603              48571              48439              48605
48572              48471              48573              48600              48601              48633
48513              48574              48575              48542              48543              48576
48415              48631              48544              48632              48577              48545
48578              48546              48743              48744              48747              48748
48745              48746              48749              48579              48766              48768
48767              48679              48754              48623              48770              48753
48773              48774              48755              48758                      48775-48779 inclusive
48624              48756              48780              48532
 

Group 2 Airplanes

 
 
 
48555              48556              48581              48630              48557              48539
48558              48559              48616              48560              48617              48618
48561              48629              48562              58563              48757              48540
48564              48634              48541              48798                      48781-48792 inclusive
48794              48799              48801              48800                      48802-48806 inclusive
 


    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 overheating of the electrical pins inside the cargo 
control units (CCU) and subsequent release of hot gases and flames, 
which could result in smoke and fire in the cargo compartment, 
accomplish the following:

Deactivation

    (a) For Group 1 airplanes: Within 15 days after the effective 
date of this AD, deactivate the forward and center CCU's in 
accordance with the following procedures:
    Remove the access panel to the forward cargo compartment CCU 
circuit breaker panel located at fuselage station 1009.300 (right 
side looking aft). Pull and collar the following circuit breakers:


 
 
 
B1-506..........................    B1-489    B1-488    B1-487    B1-486
B1-485..........................    B1-480    B1-481    B1-498    B1-482
B1-500..........................    B1-495    B1-499    B1-490
 


    Remove the access panel to the center cargo compartment CCU 
circuit breaker panel located at fuselage station 1701.000 (right 
side looking aft). Pull and collar the following circuit breakers:


 
 
 
B1-552..........................    B1-762    B1-761    B1-760    B1-759
B1-758..........................    B1-518    B1-519    B1-751    B1-520
B1-753..........................    B1-764    B1-752    B1-763
 

    (b) For Group 2 airplanes: Within 15 days after the effective 
date of this AD; deactivate the forward and center CCU in accordance 
with the following procedures:
    Remove the access panel to the forward cargo compartment CCU 
circuit breaker panel located at fuselage station 1009.300 (right 
side looking aft). Pull and collar the following circuit breakers:


 
 
 
B1-506..........................    B1-489    B1-488    B1-487    B1-486
B1-485..........................    B1-480    B1-481    B1-498    B1-482
B1-500..........................    B1-495    B1-499    B1-490
 


    Remove the access panel to the center cargo compartment CCU 
circuit breaker panel located at fuselage station 1701.000 (right 
side looking aft). Pull and collar the following circuit breakers:


 
 
 
B1-552..........................    B1-762    B1-761    B1-760    B1-759
B1-758..........................    B1-518    B1-519    B1-751    B1-520
B1-753..........................    B1-764    B1-752
 

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 2: 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on March 20, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 28, 2000.
John J. Hickey,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-5133 Filed 3-2-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P