[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10844-10846]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4057]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-192-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 damage of the electrical cables leading to the terminal 
strips and surrounding structure in the wing areas inboard of the 
pylons 1 and 3 and the No. 2 engine; and corrective actions, if 
necessary. This proposal also would require revising the cable 
connection stackup of the terminal strips on the wings and No. 2 
engine. This action is necessary to prevent arcing damage to the 
terminal strips and damage to the adjacent structure in the wing areas 
inboard of the pylons 1 and 3 and the No. 2 engine, which could result 
in a fire inboard of the pylons 1 and 3 or the No. 2 engine. 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-192-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-192-AD'' in the

[[Page 10845]]

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-192-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-192-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 
support brackets of the wing areas inboard of the pylons 1 and 3 and 
the No. 2 engine. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
arcing damage to the terminal strips and damage to the adjacent 
structure of the wing areas inboard of the pylons 1 and 3 and the No. 2 
engine, which could result in a fire inboard of the pylons 1 and 3 or 
the No. 2 engine.

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 MD11-24A187, 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 wing areas inboard of the pylons 1 and 3 and the No. 2 
engine; 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 revising the 
cable connection stackup of the terminal strips on the left and right 
wings and the No. 2 engine (including performing a general visual 
inspection for damaged cable assemblies; repairing of any damaged cable 
assembly; and tightening terminal lug hardware). 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 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 153 Model MD-11 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 57 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost approximately $60 per airplane. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $20,520, or $360 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

[[Page 10846]]

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-192-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD-1124A187, 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 in the wing areas inboard of the pylons 1 and 
3 and the No. 2 engine, which could result in a fire inboard of the 
pylons 1 and 3 or the No. 2 engine, 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 terminal strips and the surrounding structure 
in the wing areas inboard of the pylons 1 and 3 and the No. 2 
engine, per McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A187, 
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 action 
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 
is within the limits specified in the service bulletin, before 
further flight, repair the arcing per the service bulletin, and do 
the action specified in paragraph (b) of this AD.
    (4) If any arcing damage is detected on any cable and the damage 
is 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 action specified in paragraph (b) of 
this AD.
    (5) If any structure damage is detected, before further flight, 
do the actions specified in paragraphs (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 action specified in paragraph (b) of this AD.

Follow-On Revision of the Cable Connection Stackup

    (b) Revise the cable connection stackup of the terminal strips 
on the left and right wings and the No. 2 engine (including 
performing a general visual inspection for damaged cable assemblies; 
repairing of any damaged cable assembly; and tightening terminal lug 
hardware), per paragraph 3.B.4. of the Acomplishment Instructions of 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A187, October 4, 
2000.

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 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. 01-4057 Filed 2-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U