[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 29, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45594-45596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-21746]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-145-AD; Amendment 39-12422; AD 98-24-02 R1]
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 revises an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series 
airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection to identify the part 
numbers of two dimmer controls for the overhead instrument panel light 
and circuit breaker lightplate located in the flight compartment. For 
airplanes on which a dimmer control having an incorrect part number is 
installed, that AD also requires replacing the dimmer control with a 
new part; modifying and reinstalling the existing dimmer control; or 
reinstalling a dimmer control following modification of the part by the 
part manufacturer. That AD was prompted by reports of smoke emitting 
from the overhead panels in the cockpit area. The actions specified by 
that AD are intended to prevent an electrical failure in the overhead 
dimmer control due to overheating of a printed circuit board capacitor 
in the dimmer control, which could result in rupture of the capacitor 
and smoke in the flight compartment. This amendment revises the term 
``serial numbers'' in the applicability statement to ``fuselage 
numbers.''

DATES: Effective October 3, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations was approved previously by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of November 30, 1998 (63 FR 63402, November 13, 1998).

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: Data 
and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). 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, 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: Brett Portwood, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft 
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 
90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5350; fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by revising AD 98-24-02, 
amendment 39-10889 (63 FR 63402, November 13, 1998), which is 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, 
was published in the Federal Register on June 11, 2001 (66 FR 31194). 
The action proposed to continue to require a one-time inspection to 
identify the part numbers of two dimmer controls for the overhead 
instrument panel light and circuit breaker lightplate located in the 
flight compartment. For airplanes on which a dimmer control having an 
incorrect part number is installed, the action also proposed to 
continue to require replacing the dimmer control with a new part; 
modifying and reinstalling the existing dimmer control; or reinstalling 
a dimmer control following modification of the part by the part 
manufacturer. The action also proposed to revise the term ``serial 
numbers'' in the applicability statement to ``fuselage numbers.''

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the single comment received.

[[Page 45595]]

    The commenter has no objection to the proposed revision.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comment 
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 174 Model MD-11 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 65 
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 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $3,900, or $60 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. 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 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 removing amendment 39-10889 (63 FR 
63402, November 13, 1998), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), amendment 39-12422, to read as follows:

98-24-02 R1  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12422. Docket 2001-NM-
145-AD. Revises AD 98-24-02, Amendment 39-10889.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, fuselage numbers 
447 through 597 inclusive; certificate 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 an electrical failure in the dimmer control for the 
overhead instrument panel light and circuit breaker lightplate due 
to overheating of a printed circuit board (PCB) capacitor in the 
dimmer control, which could result in rupture of the capacitor and 
smoke in the flight compartment, accomplish the following:

Inspection and Corrective Action, If Necessary

    (a) Within 30 days after November 30, 1998 (the effective date 
of AD 98-24-02, amendment 39-10889), perform a one-time visual 
inspection of the two dimmer controls for the overhead instrument 
panel light and circuit breaker lightplate located in the flight 
compartment to identify the part numbers of the dimmer controls.
    (1) If all dimmer controls are identified as part number (P/N) 
263-2, no further action is required by this AD.
    (2) If any dimmer control is identified as P/N 263-1, within 30 
days after accomplishing the inspection specified by paragraph (a) 
of this AD, accomplish the actions required by paragraph (a)(2)(i), 
(a)(2)(ii), or (a)(2)(iii) of this AD, in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-33-045, dated June 14, 1995.
    (i) Replace any dimmer control, P/N 263-1, with a new dimmer 
control, P/N 263-2. Or
    (ii) Modify any dimmer control, P/N 263-1, and reinstall the 
modified and reidentified dimmer control in the flight compartment. 
Or
    (iii) Remove any dimmer control, P/N 263-1; return it for 
modification and reidentification to Olin Aerospace Company, 11441 
Willows Road NE, Redmond, Washington 98073-9745; and reinstall the 
modified and reidentified dimmer control in the flight compartment.

Spares

    (b) As of November 30, 1998, no person shall install on any 
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplane, a dimmer control, P/N 
263-1, unless that dimmer control has been modified and reidentified 
to P/N 263-2 in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 
MD11-33-045, dated June 14, 1995.

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 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 Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

Special Flight Permits

    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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

    (e) Except as provided by paragraph (a) of this AD, the actions 
shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 
MD11-33-045, dated June 14, 1995. The incorporation by reference of 
this document was approved previously by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of November 30, 1998 (63 FR 63402, November 13, 1998). 
Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long 
Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 
90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-
0024). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at

[[Page 45596]]

the FAA, 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.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on October 3, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 22, 2001.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-21746 Filed 8-28-01; 8:45 am]
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