[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 139 (Wednesday, July 19, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44672-44674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-18040]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-246-AD; Amendment 39-11822; AD 2000-14-12]
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 the upper and lower reading lights in the 
forward crew rest area with a redesigned light fixture. This amendment 
is prompted by reports of burning and smoldering blankets in the 
forward crew rest area due to a reading light fixture that came into 
contact with the blankets after the light was inadvertently left on. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a possible 
flammable condition, which could result in smoke and fire in the 
forward crew rest area.

DATES: Effective August 23, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 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: Albert Lam, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, California

[[Page 44673]]

90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5346; 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 MD-11 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on November 22, 
1999 (64 FR 63764). That action proposed to require replacement of the 
upper and lower reading lights in the forward crew rest area with a 
redesigned light fixture.

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 states that it is not affected by the proposed rule.

Recommendation for a Smoke Detection System

    One commenter recommends that the proposed AD require a smoke 
detection system for the forward crew rest compartment, since there 
will still be conditions existing that could cause a fire which could 
clearly be a hazard to flight safety. The commenter further states that 
the FAA should require a smoke detection system in any area where there 
are combustible materials and ignition sources, to ensure that any fire 
event is rapidly communicated to the crew.
    The FAA does not concur with the commenter's suggestion. The final 
rule requires replacement of the upper and lower reading lights of the 
affected crew rest area with a redesigned light fixture to preclude a 
possible flammable condition as stated previously in the preamble. In 
addition, due to the current design of the forward crew rest area and 
its close proximity to the cockpit, the flight crew would detect smoke 
or fire in the forward crew rest compartment. Therefore, no change to 
the final rule is necessary in this regard.

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 71 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 14 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $238 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,172, or $298 
per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 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:

2000-14-12  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11822. Docket 99-NM-246-
AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A233, dated June 9, 
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 (b) 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 a possible flammable condition, which could result in 
smoke and fire in the forward crew rest area, accomplish the 
following:

Replacement

    (a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace 
the upper and lower reading lights in the forward crew rest area 
with a redesigned light fixture, in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A233, dated June 9, 1999.

    Note 2: McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A233 
refers to AIM Aviation Service Incorporated Service Bulletin AIM-
MD11-25-2, Revision C, datedMarch 8, 1999; as an additional source 
of service information for accomplishment of the replacement of the 
upper and lower reading lights in the forward crew rest area.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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

    (c) 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A233, dated June

[[Page 44674]]

9, 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 23, 2000.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 11, 2000.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-18040 Filed 7-18-00; 8:45 am]
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