[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 112 (Wednesday, June 11, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34847-34849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-14673]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-74-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-
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 MD-11F airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time 
visual inspection of the circuit breakers to determine if discrepant 
circuit breakers are installed, and corrective action if necessary. 
This action is necessary to prevent internal overheating and arcing of 
circuit breakers and airplane wiring due to long-term use and breakdown 
of internal components of the circuit breakers, which could result in 
smoke and fire in the flight compartment and main cabin. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 28, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-74-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-74-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: 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 34848]]

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:
    [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-74-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-74-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 incidents of smoke and electrical odor in the 
flight compartment and cabin area of McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81, -
82, and -83 airplanes. Investigation revealed that long-term use and 
breakdown of the internal components of circuit breakers manufactured 
by Wood Electric Corporation or Wood Electric Division of Potter 
Brumfield Corporation contributed to internal overheating and arcing of 
the circuit breakers. This condition, if not corrected, could result in 
smoke and fire in the flight compartment and main cabin.
    The circuit breakers on certain Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes 
may be the same as those on the affected McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-
81, -82, and -83 airplanes. Therefore, these models may be subject to 
this same unsafe condition.

Other Related Rulemaking

    The FAA, in conjunction with Boeing and operators of Model MD-11 
and MD-11F airplanes, has reviewed 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 corrective actions identified during that 
process. We have previously issued several other ADs and may consider 
further rulemaking actions to address the remaining identified unsafe 
conditions.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
MD11-24A137, Revision 01, dated March 11, 2003 (the original issue of 
the service bulletin specified installation of incorrect circuit 
breakers for the Wood Electric circuit breakers, if installed). 
Revision 01 of the service bulletin describes procedures for a one-time 
visual inspection to determine if discrepant circuit breakers are 
installed (includes circuit breakers manufactured by Wood Electric and 
Wood Electric Division of Potter Brumfield Corporations, and incorrect 
circuit breakers installed per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A137, dated February 28, 2002), and replacement of any discrepant 
circuit breaker with a new, approved circuit breaker. 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 
Revision 01 of the service bulletin described previously, except as 
discussed below.

Difference Between This Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin

    Although the service bulletin recommends that inspection be done 
within 18 months after release of the service bulletin, this AD would 
require a compliance time of within 24 months after the effective date 
of the proposed AD. We have determined that the proposed compliance 
time will better accommodate the time necessary for affected operators 
to schedule the work to be done without adversely affecting safety, and 
will allow the inspection to be performed at a base during regularly 
scheduled maintenance where special equipment and trained maintenance 
personnel will be available if necessary.

Clarification of Compliance Time for Circuit Breaker Replacement

    We have confirmed that there could be a parts availability problem 
due to the fact that the number of discrepant circuit breakers on each 
airplane cannot be determined without accomplishing the proposed 
inspection. If there is a large number of suspect circuit breakers 
found during the inspection, there may not be sufficient parts 
available to return the airplane to service. Therefore, we have 
determined that the compliance time for replacement of affected circuit 
breakers, which would normally be before further flight after 
discrepant circuit breakers are found, will be at the next scheduled 
maintenance visit, but not later than 24 months after the effective 
date of the proposed AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 193 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 69 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
80 work hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection of the 
circuit breakers (over 700 installed on each airplane), and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$331,200, or $4,800 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.

[[Page 34849]]

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 2002-NM-74-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A137, Revision 01, dated March 
11, 2003; certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
otherwise 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 internal overheating and arcing of circuit breakers 
and airplane wiring due to long-term use and breakdown of internal 
components of the circuit breakers, which could result in smoke and 
fire in the flight compartment and main cabin, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection and Replacement

    (a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Perform a one-time general visual inspection of the circuit breakers 
to determine if discrepant circuit breakers are installed (includes 
circuit breakers manufactured by Wood Electric and Wood Electric 
Division of Brumfield Potter Corporations, and incorrect circuit 
breakers installed per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A137, 
dated February 28, 2002), per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A137, Revision 01, dated March 11, 2003.

    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 from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight 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.''

    (1) If no discrepant circuit breaker is found: No further action 
is required by this paragraph.
    (2) If any discrepant circuit breaker is found: At the next 
scheduled maintenance visit, but not later than 24 months after the 
effective date of this AD, replace the circuit breaker with a new, 
approved circuit breaker, per Revision 01 of the service bulletin.

Part Installation

    (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall 
install, on any airplane, a circuit breaker having a part number 
listed in the ``Existing Part Number'' column in the table specified 
in paragraph 2.C.2., of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A137, 
Revision 01, dated March 11, 2003.

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 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

    (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.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 5, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-14673 Filed 6-10-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P