[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 103 (Thursday, May 29, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32001-32003]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13385]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-06-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 a one-time 
inspection of the barrel nut holes of the upper spar caps and skin 
panel of the horizontal stabilizer for corrosion, and follow-on and 
corrective actions if necessary. This action is necessary to prevent 
such corrosion, which could result in structural damage and consequent 
reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to 
address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 14, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-06-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. 2002-NM-06-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: Ron Atmur, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; 
telephone (562) 627-5224; 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

[[Page 32002]]

of the comments received. Submit comments using the following format:
    [sbull] 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.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] 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 2002-NM-06-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. 2002-NM-06-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The FAA has received reports of water and subsequent corrosion in 
the barrel nut holes in the area where the outer sections attach to the 
center section on the left and right sides of the upper horizontal 
stabilizer on certain MD-11 and -11F airplanes. In one incident, the 
sealant installed in the barrel nut hole had raised partially out, and 
severe corrosion was found when the sealant was removed. In two other 
incidents, removal of the mylar tape and sealant showed that the barrel 
nut holes were filled with water; investigation revealed that 
condensation accumulated in the barrel nut holes during flight. Such 
conditions, if not corrected, could result in structural damage and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-55-
023, including Appendix A and Evaluation Form, dated November 28, 2001, 
which describes procedures for a one-time inspection of the barrel nut 
holes of the upper spar caps and skin panel of the horizontal 
stabilizer for corrosion, and follow-on and corrective actions. The 
follow-on and corrective actions include but are not limited to the 
following:
    [sbull] Condition 1--If no corrosion is found, the service bulletin 
describes procedures to clean, seal, and tape the barrel nut holes per 
Figure 4 of the service bulletin;
    [sbull] Condition 2--If corrosion is found that does not exceed the 
limits specified in Figure 2 of the service bulletin, the service 
bulletin describes procedures to remove and retain the barrel nuts and 
bolts, remove the corrosion, and seal and tape the affected barrel nut 
holes per Figure 2 of the service bulletin; or
    [sbull] Condition 3--If corrosion is found that does not exceed 
0.060 inch on the barrel nut bottom, the service bulletin describes 
procedures to remove and retain the barrel nuts and bolts, remove the 
corrosion, fabricate and install bushings, seal and tape the holes, and 
reinstall the barrel nuts and bolts per Figures 2 of the service 
bulletin. If corrosion is found in the barrel nut bearing area and/or 
corrosion exceeds the dimensional limits for each hole, the service 
bulletin specifies contacting the manufacturer for repair disposition.
    The service bulletin also references the procedures in the MD-11 
Airplane Maintenance Manual and the Structural Repair Manual for the 
accomplishment of certain follow-on actions.

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 that the proposed AD 
would not require completing the Evaluation Form, and except as 
discussed below.

Differences Between This Proposed Rule and the Service Information

    The service bulletin refers to a ``visual'' inspection. For the 
purposes of this AD, we have determined that the procedures in the 
service bulletin constitute a ``detailed inspection.'' Note 2 of this 
proposed AD defines such an inspection.
    Although the service bulletin specifies that the manufacturer may 
be contacted for disposition of certain repairs, this proposed AD would 
require such repairs to be accomplished per a method approved by the 
FAA.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 191 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 66 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and 
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the inspection proposed by this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $23,760, 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 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

[[Page 32003]]

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 2002-NM-06-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-55-023, dated November 28, 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 corrosion of the barrel nut holes of the upper spar 
caps and skin panel of the horizontal stabilizer, which could result 
in structural damage and consequent reduced controllability of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:

One-Time Inspection/ Follow-on and Corrective Actions

    (a) Within 18 months or 6,000 flight hours after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever is later: Do a one-time detailed 
inspection of the barrel nut holes of the upper spar caps and skin 
panel of the horizontal stabilizer for corrosion, per Boeing Service 
Bulletin MD11-55-023, including Appendix A, dated November 28, 2001, 
and excluding Evaluation Form. Before further flight, do the actions 
required by paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), or (a)(4) of this AD, 
as applicable.

    Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''

    (1) If no corrosion is found: Clean, seal, and tape the barrel 
nut holes per Figure 4 of the service bulletin.
    (2) If corrosion is found that does not exceed the limits 
specified in Figure 2 of the service bulletin: Remove and retain the 
barrel nuts and bolts, remove the corrosion of the barrel nut hole, 
seal and tape the holes per Figure 4 of the service bulletin, and 
reinstall the barrel nuts and bolts per Figure 2 of the service 
bulletin.
    (3) If corrosion is found that does not exceed 0.060 inch on the 
barrel nut bottom: Remove and retain the barrel nuts and bolts, 
remove the corrosion, fabricate and install bushings, seal and tape 
the holes per Figure 4 of the service bulletin, and reinstall the 
barrel nuts and bolts per Figure 2 of the service bulletin.
    (4) If corrosion is found in the barrel nut bearing area, and/or 
corrosion exceeds the dimensional limits for each hole specified in 
Figure 2 of service bulletin: Repair in accordance with a method 
approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA.

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 ACO. 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 May 22, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-13385 Filed 5-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P