[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 145 (Thursday, July 27, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46210-46211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-18396]



[[Page 46210]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-32-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

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 resistance tests of 
the brake coils of the auto throttle servo (ATS) and of the elevator 
load feel (ELF)/flap limiter (FL) duplex actuator for low electrical 
resistance; and corrective actions, if necessary. This action is 
necessary to prevent electrical shorting of the brake coils of the ATS 
or ELF/FL duplex actuator, which could result in smoke in the cockpit 
and/or passenger cabin. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 11, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-32-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1231. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2000-NM-32-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    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.
    Submit comments using the following format:
     Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
     For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
     Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    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 2000-NM-32-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. 2000-NM-32-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    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 in which the auto throttle servo 
(ATS) shorted electrically and caused smoke in the cockpit. This 
incident occurred on a McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplane. 
Investigation revealed that one of the servo brake solenoid assemblies 
had internal shorting of the coil windings caused by corrosion due to 
chlorine contamination during production of the ATS. Electrical 
shorting of the brake coils of the ATS or elevator load feel/flap 
limiter (ELF/FL) duplex actuator, if not corrected, could result in 
smoke in the cockpit and/or passenger cabin.
    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 Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-22-
024, dated March 29, 2000, which describes procedures for resistance 
tests of the brake coils of the ATS and of the ELF/FL duplex actuator 
for low electrical resistance; and corrective actions, if necessary. 
The corrective actions include replacing the thrust control module with 
a new thrust control module or a thrust control module that has a 
modified and reidentified ATS, and replacing the ELF/FL duplex actuator 
with a modified and reidentified ELF/FL duplex actuator. Accomplishment 
of the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to 
adequately address the identified unsafe condition.

[[Page 46211]]

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, the 
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the service bulletin described previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 187 McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series 
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
estimates that 60 airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this 
proposed AD, that it would take approximately 2 work hours per airplane 
to accomplish the proposed resistance tests, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of 
the resistance tests proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $7,200, or $120 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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 proposed AD were not adopted. The cost impact 
figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time 
necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. 
These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the 
time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time 
necessitated by other administrative actions.

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 13232.
    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 2000-NM-32-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing 
Service Bulletin MD11-22-024, dated March 29, 2000; 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 electrical shorting of the brake coils of the auto 
throttle servo (ATS) or elevator load feel (ELF)/flap limiter (FL) 
duplex actuator, which could result in smoke in the cockpit and/or 
passenger cabin, accomplish the following:

Resistance Tests

    (a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and 
(a)(3) of this AD in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-
22-024, dated March 29, 2000.
    (1) Perform resistance tests of the brake coils of the ATS for 
low electrical resistance. If one or both resistance tests fail, 
prior to further flight, replace the thrust control module with a 
new thrust control module or a thrust control module that has a 
modified and reidentified auto throttle servo, in accordance with 
the service bulletin.
    (2) Perform resistance tests of the brake coils of the FL duplex 
actuator for low electrical resistance. If one or both resistance 
tests fail, prior to further flight, replace the FL duplex actuator 
with a modified and reidentified FL duplex actuator in accordance 
with the service bulletin.
    (3) Perform resistance tests of the brake coils of the ELF 
duplex actuator for low electrical resistance. If one or both 
resistance tests fail, prior to further flight, replace the ELF 
duplex actuator with a modified and reidentified ELF duplex actuator 
in accordance with the service bulletin.

Spares

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
the following parts on any airplane.
    (1) Thrust control module assembly having part number ABH7760-1, 
ABH7760-501, or ABH7760-503;
    (2) Flap limiter duplex acutuator having part number 4059004-
901; or
    (3) Elevator load feel duplex actuator having part number 
4059005-901.

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 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 Permit

    (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 July 14, 2000.
John J. Hickey,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-18396 Filed 7-26-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U