[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 142 (Thursday, July 24, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43681-43683]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18792]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-167-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).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 replacement of 
the wire assembly connectors of the bag rack lighting with new, 
moisture-resistant connectors and reidentification of the bag racks. 
This action is necessary to

[[Page 43682]]

prevent arcing of the wire assembly connectors of the overhead storage 
bin, and service module and bin extension assemblies, and consequent 
smoke/fire in the cabin. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 8, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-167-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-167-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:
    [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 2001-NM-167-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-167-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 arcing and smoke from the 
electrical connectors of the ceiling lights on McDonnell Douglas Model 
MD-11 and -11F airplanes. It was determined that the cause of the 
connector failure was due to moisture intrusion into the mated 
connectors through the backshell. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in arcing of the wire assembly connectors of the overhead 
storage bin, and service module and bin extension assemblies, and 
consequent smoke/fire in the cabin.

Other Related Rulemaking

    The FAA, in conjunction with Boeing and operators of Model MD-11 
and -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

    We have reviewed and approved Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
33A064, dated March 6, 2002, which describes procedures for replacement 
of the wire assembly connectors of the bag rack lighting with new, 
moisture-resistant connectors and reidentification of the 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.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the Proposed AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance (AMOCs). Because we have now included this material in part 
39, only the office authorized to approve AMOCs is identified in each 
individual AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 111 Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 26 
airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed AD.
    For Group 1 airplanes identified in the referenced service 
bulletin, it would take approximately 11 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the proposed actions, at an average labor rate of $65 per 
work hour. Required parts would cost between $1,140 and $1,406 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,855 and $2,121 per airplane.
    For Group 2 airplanes identified in the referenced service 
bulletin, it would

[[Page 43683]]

take approximately 13 work hours per airplane to accomplish the 
proposed actions, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. 
Required parts would cost between $1,140 and $1,406 per airplane. Based 
on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators 
is estimated to be $1,985, and $2,251 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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. The manufacturer may 
cover the cost of replacement parts associated with this proposed AD, 
subject to warranty conditions. Manufacturer warranty remedies may also 
be available for labor costs associated with this proposed AD.

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-167-AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A064, dated March 6, 2002; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent arcing of the wire assembly connectors of the 
overhead storage bin, and service module and bin extension 
assemblies, and consequent smoke/fire in the cabin, accomplish the 
following:

Replacement and Reidentification

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the wire assembly connectors of the bag rack lighting with 
new, moisture-resistant connectors and reidentify the bag racks, per 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A064, dated March 6, 2002.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 17, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-18792 Filed 7-23-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P