[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 77 (Thursday, April 20, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21134-21136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9674]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-97-AD; Amendment 39-11689; AD 2000-08-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series 
airplanes, that currently requires the deactivation of the forward and 
center cargo control units (CCU). That amendment was 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. This amendment expands 
the applicability of the existing AD to include additional airplanes. 
The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent overheating of 
the electrical pins inside the CCU's and subsequent release of hot 
gases and flames, which could result in smoke and fire in the cargo 
compartment.

DATES: Effective May 5, 2000. Comments for inclusion in the Rules 
Docket must be received on or before June 19, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-97-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056.
    Information pertaining to this amendment 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: On February 28, 2000, the FAA issued AD 
2000-05-01, amendment 39-11610 (65 FR 11459, March 3, 2000), applicable 
to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, to require 
the deactivation of the forward and center cargo control units (CCU). 
That action was 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 required by that AD are intended to 
prevent such conditions, which could result in smoke and fire in the 
cargo compartment.
    The incident that prompted AD 2000-05-01 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 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.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    The applicability statement of AD 2000-05-01 lists the serial 
numbers of the affected airplanes, which were provided by the airplane 
manufacturer. Since the issuance of that AD, the airplane manufacturer 
has informed the FAA that it inadvertently provided two incorrect 
airplane serial numbers (i.e., 48679 and 58563); those serial numbers 
do not exist. The correct serial numbers of those two airplanes are 
48769 and 48563. The FAA has determined that affected airplanes having 
serial numbers 48769 and 48563 also are subject to the identified 
unsafe condition.

Explanation of Requirements of Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of this same type design, this AD 
supersedes AD 2000-05-01 to continue to require the deactivation of the 
forward and center CCU's. This AD also expands the applicability of the 
existing AD to include additional airplanes.

[[Page 21135]]

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-97-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 removing amendment 39-11610 (65 FR 
11459, March 3, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-11689, to read as follows:

2000-08-03  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11689. Docket 2000-NM-
97-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-05-01, Amendment 39-11610.

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

 
 
 
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              48769              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              48563              48757              48540
         48564              48634              48541              48798        48781-48792
                                                                                 inclusive
         48794              48799              48801              48800        48802-48806
                                                                                 inclusive
 



[[Page 21136]]

    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 (d) 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:

Restatement of Requirements of AD 2000-05-01:

Deactivation

    (a) For Group 1 airplanes having serial numbers other than that 
identified in paragraph (c) of this AD: Within 15 days after March 20, 
2000 (the effective date of AD 2000-05-01, amendment 39-11610), 
deactivate the forward and center CCU's in accordance with the 
following procedures:
    (1) 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
    B1-485
    B1-500
    B1-489
    B1-480
    B1-495
    B1-488
    B1-481
    B1-499
    B1-487
    B1-498
    B1-490
    B1-486
    B1-482
    (2) 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
    B1-758
    B1-753
    B1-762
    B1-518
    B1-764
    B1-761
    B1-519
    B1-752
    B1-760
    B1-751
    B1-763
    B1-759
    B1-520
    (b) For Group 2 airplanes having serial numbers other than that 
identified in paragraph (c) of this AD: Within 15 days after March 20, 
2000, deactivate the forward and center CCU's in accordance with the 
following procedures:
    (1) 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
    B1-485
    B1-500
    B1-489
    B1-480
    B1-495
    B1-488
    B1-481
    B1-499
    B1-487
    B1-498
    B1-490
    B1-486
    B1-482

    (2) 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
    B1-758
    B1-753
    B1-762
    B1-518
    B1-764
    B1-761
    B1-519
    B1-752
    B1-760
    B1-751
    B1-759
    B1-520

New Requirements of this AD:

    (c) For Group 1 airplane, serial number 48769, and for Group 2 
airplane, serial number 48563: Within 15 days after the effective date 
of this AD, accomplish the actions specified in either paragraph (a) or 
(b) of this AD, as applicable.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d)(1) 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.

    (2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in 
accordance with AD 2000-05-01, amendment 39-11610, are approved as 
alternative methods of compliance with paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, 
as applicable.

Special Flight Permits

    (e) 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on May 5, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 12, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-9674 Filed 4-19-00; 8:45 am]
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