[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10846-10849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4056]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-191-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 an inspection to 
detect arcing

[[Page 10847]]

damage of the electrical cables leading to the hydraulic pump terminal 
strips and the surrounding structure in the wheel well area of the 
right main landing gear (MLG); and corrective actions, if necessary. 
This proposal also would require replacement of a certain terminal 
strip with a new terminal strip, and removal of the applicable 
nameplate in the wheel well of the right MLG. This action is necessary 
to prevent arcing damage to the terminal strips and damage to the 
adjacent structure of the wheel well area of the right MLG, which could 
result in a fire in the wheel well of the right MLG. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by April 6, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-NM-191-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) 227-1232. 
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-191-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, 
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, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712; 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 action 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 action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2000-NM-191-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-191-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 arcing occurred between 
the power feeder cables and support bracket of the terminal strips on a 
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplane. Investigation revealed 
that inadequate clearance exists between the terminal strips and 
associated support brackets. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in arcing damage to the terminal strips and damage to the 
adjacent structure of the wheel well area of the right main landing 
gear (MLG), which could result in a fire in the wheel well of the right 
MLG.

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 proposed 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 McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-24A186, dated October 4, 2000, which describes procedures 
for a general visual inspection to detect arcing damage of the 
electrical cables leading to the terminal strip and the surrounding 
structure in the wheel well area of the right MLG; and corrective 
actions, if necessary. The corrective actions include replacing any 
damaged terminal strip with a like part, and sealing the screw heads of 
any replaced terminal strip; repairing any arcing or structure damage; 
and replacing any damaged cable with a new cable. The service bulletin 
also describes procedures for replacement of a certain terminal strip 
with a new terminal strip, and removal of the applicable nameplate in 
the wheel well of the right MLG. Accomplishment of the actions 
specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition.

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; except as discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and Service Bulletin

    Operators should note that the service bulletin specifies to repair 
damaged structure per the Structural Repair Manual (SRM). However, the 
SRM does

[[Page 10848]]

not provide adequate procedures for repair of certain structural 
material. Therefore, this proposal would require the repair of damaged 
structure that is not covered in the SRM to be accomplished per a 
method approved by the FAA.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 191 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 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $25 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $5,100, or $85 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 13132.
    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-191-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A186, dated October 
4, 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 arcing damage to the terminal strips and damage to 
the adjacent structure of the wheel well area of the right main 
landing gear (MLG), which could result in a fire in the wheel well 
of the right MLG, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Corrective Actions, if Necessary

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do a 
general visual inspection to detect arcing damage of the electrical 
cables leading to the hydraulic pump terminal strips and the 
surrounding structure in the wheel well area of the right MLG, per 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A186, dated October 
4, 2000.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

    (1) If no arcing or structure damage is detected during the 
general visual inspection, before further flight, do the actions 
specified in paragraph (b) of this AD.
    (2) If any arcing damage is detected on any terminal strip, 
before further flight, replace the damaged terminal strip with a 
like part, and seal the screw heads of any replaced terminal strip, 
per the service bulletin.
    (3) If any arcing damage is detected on any cable and the damage 
within the limits specified in the service bulletin, before further 
flight, repair the arcing damage per the service bulletin, and do 
the actions specified in paragraph (b) of this AD.
    (4) If any arcing damage is detected on any cable and the damage 
beyond the limits specified in the service bulletin, before further 
flight, replace the damaged cable with a new cable per the service 
bulletin, and do the actions specified in paragraph (b) of this AD.
    (5) If any structure damage is detected, before further flight, 
do the actions specified in paragarphs (a)(5)(i) and (a)(5)(ii) of 
this AD.
    (i) Repair the damaged structure per the service bulletin; 
except if the type of structural material that has been affected is 
not covered in the SRM, repair per a method approved by the Manager, 
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.
    (ii) Do the actions specified in paragraph (b) of this AD.

Follow-On Replacement and Removal of Nameplate, if Necessary

    (b) Do the actions specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of 
this AD per McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A186, 
October 4, 2000.
    (1) Replace any terminal strip identified in Table 1 of this AD 
with a base thickness of 0.445 inches or less that have \1/4\-inch 
or larger studs and/or 4 through 000 gauge size terminal lugs with a 
new terminal strip. Table 1 is as follows:

                                 Table 1
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Item No.                  System                  Location
------------------------------------------------------------------------
S3-261................  Aux hydraulic pump 1...  Wheel well of the right
                                                  MLG (looking forward).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Remove the applicable nameplate in the wheel well of the 
right MLG.

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. Operators 
shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA

[[Page 10849]]

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 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 February 12, 2001.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-4056 Filed 2-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U