[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 194 (Friday, October 5, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50901-50903]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25067]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-54-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 of 
the connector cables for signs of arcing and/or signs of moisture 
penetration into the overhead decoder units (ODU), and replacement of 
the affected ODU(s) with a new ODU, if necessary. This proposal also 
would require modification and reidentification of the cable assemblies 
and the connect cable assemblies at ship-side power to the ODU, ODU to 
ODU, and adjacent bag racks. This action is necessary to prevent 
moisture from entering through the rear of the connector of the ODUs 
located in the overhead baggage stowage racks, which could result in a 
short, damage to the connector pins, and consequent smoke and/or fire 
in the cabin. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by November 19, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-54-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

[[Page 50902]]

via fax or the Internet must contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-54-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: Data 
and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). 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 
90712-4137; 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 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 2001-NM-54-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. 2001-NM-54-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 several incidents of smoke in the cabin on 
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. Investigation revealed 
that moisture entered through the rear of the connector of an overhead 
decoder unit (ODU) located in the overhead baggage stowage racks and 
caused a short and damaged the connector pins. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in smoke and/or fire in the cabin.
    These incidents are 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 proposed 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 Alert Service Bulletin 
MD11-33A065, dated February 26, 2001, which describes procedures for an 
inspection of the connector cables for signs of arcing and/or signs of 
moisture penetration into the ODUs, and replacement of the affected 
ODU(s) with a new ODU, if necessary. The service bulletin also 
describes procedures for modification and reidentification of the cable 
assemblies and the connect cable assemblies at ship-side power to the 
ODU, ODU to ODU, and adjacent bag racks. 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.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 118 Model MD-11 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 30 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD, that 
it would take approximately 1 work hour per ODU (the number of ODUs 
will vary between 15 and 299 depending on the airplane configuration) 
to accomplish the proposed inspection and modifications, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The manufacturer has committed 
previously to its customers that it will bear the cost of replacement 
parts. As a result, the cost of those parts is not attributable to this 
proposed AD. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $60 per ODU.
    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. However, the FAA has been 
advised that manufacturer warranty remedies are available for labor 
costs associated with accomplishing the actions required by this 
proposed AD. Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on 
U.S. operators may be less than the cost impact figure indicated above.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would not have a substantial direct

[[Page 50903]]

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 2001-NM-54-AD.
    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A065, dated February 26, 2001; 
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 (b) 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 moisture from entering through the rear of the 
connector of the overhead decoder units (ODU) located in the 
overhead baggage stowage racks, which could result in a short, 
damage to the connector pins, and consequent smoke and/or fire in 
the cabin, accomplish the following:

Inspection, Replacement, if Necessary, and Modification

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this 
AD, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A065, dated February 
26, 2001.
    (1) Do a general visual inspection of the connector cables for 
signs of arcing and/or signs of moisture penetration into the ODUs. 
If any sign of arcing or moisture is detected, before further 
flight, replace the affected ODU(s) with a new ODU, per the service 
bulletin.

    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.''

    (2) Modify and reidentify the cable assemblies.
    (3) Modify and reidentify the connect cable assemblies at ship-
side power to the ODU, ODU to ODU, and adjacent bag racks.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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 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

    (c) 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 October 1, 2001.
Charles Huber,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-25067 Filed 10-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P