[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 94 (Wednesday, May 15, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34635-34637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-12070]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-357-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F 
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 and -11F airplanes. This proposal would require modifying the 
overhead instrument lighting by relocating the dimmer control unit and 
revising the wire routing. This action is necessary to prevent 
overheating and internal component failure of the dimmer control unit 
of the overhead instrument lighting, which could result in smoke and/or 
fire in the flight compartment. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 1, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-357-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. 2001-NM-357-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: Technical Information: Natalie Phan-
Tran, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, 
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5343; fax (562) 
627-5210.
    Other Information: Sandi Carli, Airworthiness Directive Technical 
Editor/Writer; telephone (425) 227-1120, fax (425) 227-1232. Questions 
or comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following 
address: [email protected]. Questions or comments sent via the 
Internet as attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft 
Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.

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

[[Page 34636]]

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 2001-NM-357-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 2001-NM-357-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-
4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of one instance of smoke in the flight 
compartment and several instances of an acrid odor on a Model MD-11 
airplane. Investigation revealed the dimmer control unit of the 
overhead instrument lighting as the source of the smoke and odor. 
Limited heat dissipation in the overhead installation area may have 
contributed to the overheating and internal component failure of the 
dimmer control unit of the overhead instrument lighting. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in smoke and/or fire in the 
flight compartment.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-33A071, Revision 01, dated September 24, 2001. The alert 
service bulletin describes procedures for relocating the dimmer control 
unit of the overhead instrument lighting, and revising the wire routing 
of the dimmer control unit. Accomplishment of the actions specified in 
the alert service bulletin is intended to adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition.

Related Rulemaking

    Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A071 identifies McDonnell Douglas 
Service Bulletin MD11-33-045 as a related service bulletin. The FAA has 
issued AD 98-24-02, amendment 39-10889 (63 FR 63402, November 13, 
1998), which requires a design change to the dimmer control unit in 
accordance with Service Bulletin MD11-33-045. Affected operators may 
accomplish the actions of either AD first.

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 
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A071.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 195 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 74 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
4 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 $101 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $25,234, 
or $341 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 2001-NM-357-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, certificated in 
any category, as listed in McDonnell Service Alert Service Bulletin 
MD11-33A071, Revision 01, dated September 24, 2001.

    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

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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 overheating and internal component failure of the 
dimmer control unit of the overhead instrument lighting, which could 
result in smoke and/or fire in the flight compartment, accomplish 
the following:

Modification

    (a) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify 
the overhead instrument lighting by relocating the dimmer control 
unit and revising the wire routing, in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A071, Revision 01, dated 
September 24, 2001.

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 2: 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

    (c) 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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 8, 2002.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.

[FR Doc. 02-12070 Filed 5-14-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P