[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 10, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18527-18528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8725]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-43-AD; Amendment 39-12173; AD 2001-07-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series 
Airplanes Equipped With Pratt & Whitney Model PW4400 Series Engines

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes 
equipped with Pratt & Whitney Model PW4400 series engines. This action 
requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to advise the flight 
crew of applicable operational limits. This action is necessary to 
ensure that the flight crew is informed of applicable limitations in 
airplane performance, and to prevent reduced acceleration and climb 
performance relative to performance data in the AFM, which could result 
in the airplane overrunning the end of the runway during takeoff or 
landing, or impacting obstacles or terrain. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective April 25, 2001.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before June 11, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-43-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 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. 2001-NM-43-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.
    Information pertaining to this amendment 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: Philip C. Kush, Aerospace Engineer, 
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5263; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has found that the Operational 
Limits specified in the Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight 
Manual (AFM) for McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes 
equipped with Pratt & Whitney Model PW4400 series engines do not 
adequately list the performance correction sections in the AFM. Section 
4B, the applicable performance correction section for Model MD-11 
series airplanes with Pratt & Whitney Model PW4462 engines, is not 
listed. Model PW4462 engines are rated for higher thrust than other 
Model PW4400 series engines. Omitting the reference to Section 4B in 
the required performance correction paragraph of the Operational Limits 
subsection in the Limitations Section of the AFM could cause the flight 
crew to be incorrectly informed about limitations in airplane 
performance.
    Also, the FAA has received reports that Pratt & Whitney Model 
PW4400 series engines with certain early-production fan blades (Phase 
0/1, FB2B), as installed on certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 
series airplanes, do not produce the amount of thrust indicated in the 
AFM. This thrust shortfall is due to erosion of the fan blade's leading 
edge. This condition causes a thrust shortfall of 2.5 percent at high-
thrust settings. The flight crew has no indication of this shortfall in 
thrust. This condition could result in reduced acceleration and climb 
performance relative to performance data in the AFM, which, if not 
corrected, could lead to the airplane overrunning the end of the runway 
during takeoff or landing, or impacting obstacles or terrain.

Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is 
being issued to ensure that the flight crew is informed of applicable 
limitations in airplane performance, and to prevent reduced 
acceleration and climb performance relative to performance data in the 
AFM, which could result in the airplane overrunning the end of the 
runway during takeoff or landing, or impacting obstacles or terrain. 
This AD requires revising the Limitations Section of the AFM, and, for 
certain airplanes, Section 4A or 4B of the Performance Section of the 
AFM, to advise the flight crew of applicable operational limits.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action until final action is 
identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.

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

[[Page 18528]]

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.
    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 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 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 2001-NM-43-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 adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2001-07-08  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12173. Docket 2001-NM-
43-AD.

    Applicability: All Model MD-11 series airplanes equipped with 
Pratt & Whitney Model PW4400 series engines, certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To ensure that the flight crew is informed of limitations in 
airplane performance, and to prevent reduced acceleration and climb 
performance relative to performance data in the Airplane Flight 
Manual (AFM), which could result in the airplane overrunning the end 
of the runway during takeoff or landing, or impacting obstacles or 
terrain, accomplish the following:

AFM Revision: Limitations Section

    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
Section 1, Limitations, of the FAA-approved AFM to include the 
following information under Subsection 3, Operational Limits. This 
may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.
    ``Required Performance Corrections in Section 4A or 4B must be 
applied as applicable.''

AFM Revision: Performance Section 4A or 4B

    (b) For airplanes with Pratt & Whitney Model PW4460 or PW4462 
engines with FB2C fans installed: Within 30 days after the effective 
date of this AD, revise the Performance Section of the FAA-approved 
AFM to include the following information under Section 4A or 4B, as 
applicable. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD 
into the AFM.
    ``When operating with one PW4460 engine, one PW4462 engine 
(operated at PW4460 thrust rating), or one PW4462 engine installed, 
apply the following performance corrections:

Weight must be reduced by:
    Takeoff--1.3%
    Enroute--2.5%
    Landing--1.3%

    When operating with more than one PW4460 engine and/or PW4462 
engine (operated at PW4460 thrust rating), or more than one PW4462 
engine installed, apply the following performance corrections:

Weight must be reduced by:
    Takeoff--2.5%
    Enroute--2.5%
    Landing--2.5%.''

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 Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Operations Inspector, who may add comments 
and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

    Note: 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

    (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.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on April 25, 2001.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 3, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-8725 Filed 4-9-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U