[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 204 (Wednesday, October 22, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60283-60284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26367]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-NM-52-AD; Amendment 39-13345; AD 2003-21-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, 
that requires an inspection to detect arcing damage of the terminal 
strips, surrounding structure, and electrical cables in the forward 
cargo compartment; and repair or replacement of any damaged part with a 
new part. This amendment also requires modification of the applicable 
terminal strip installation in the cargo compartment, and replacement 
of the applicable terminal strips in the cargo compartment with new 
strips. This action is necessary to prevent arcing and consequent 
damage to the terminal strips and adjacent structure and smoke/fire in 
the forward cargo compartment. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective November 26, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of November 26, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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; 
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
MD-11 and -11F airplanes was published as a supplemental notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on July 24, 2003 (68 
FR 43683). That action proposed to require an inspection to detect 
arcing damage of the terminal strips, surrounding structure, and 
electrical cables in the forward cargo compartment; and repair or 
replacement of any damaged part with a new part. That action also 
proposed to require modification of the applicable terminal strip 
installation in the cargo compartment, and replacement of the 
applicable terminal strips in the cargo compartment with new strips.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the supplemental NPRM or the FAA's determination of the cost to the 
public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 154 Model MD-11 and--11F airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 59 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately between 1 and 6 work hours per airplane depending on 
the airplane configuration to accomplish the required actions, and that 
the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
between $133 and $474 depending on the airplane configuration. Based on 
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be between $198 and $864 per airplane depending on the airplane 
configuration.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this 
AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this 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 AD, subject to warranty 
conditions.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44

[[Page 60284]]

FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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 final 
evaluation has been prepared for this action and it is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained from the Rules Docket at the 
location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2003-21-10 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13345. Docket 2001-NM-52-
AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and--11F airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A174, Revision 03, dated July 
25, 2002; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent arcing and consequent damage to the terminal strips 
and adjacent structure and smoke/fire in the forward cargo 
compartment, accomplish the following:

Inspection, Modification, Replacement, and Corrective Actions, if 
Necessary

    (a) For airplanes on which Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A174, original issue, January 31, 2001; Revision 01, dated April 
24, 2001; or Revision 02, dated December 17, 2001; have not been 
done: Within 18 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 the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-24A174, excluding the Evaluation Form; both Revision 
03, dated July 25, 2002. Although the service bulletin recommends 
the completion and submission of an Evaluation Form and a reporting 
requirement (Appendix), such reporting is not required by this AD.
    (1) Do a general visual inspection to detect arcing damage of 
the terminal strips, surrounding structure, and electrical cables in 
the forward cargo compartment. If any damage is detected, before 
further flight, repair or replace the damaged part with a new part, 
per the service bulletin; except if the type of structural material 
that has been affected is not covered in the Structural Repair 
Manual (SRM), repair per a method approved by the Manager, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.

    Note 1: 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.''


    Note 2: Where there are differences between the referenced 
service bulletin and the AD, the AD prevails.

    (2) Modify the applicable terminal strip installation in the 
cargo compartment (including inspection for damaged cables and 
repair of any damaged cable).
    (3) Replace the applicable terminal strips in the cargo 
compartment with new strips (including inspection for damaged cables 
and repair of any damaged cable).
    (b) For Group 2 airplanes listed in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-24A174, Revision 03, dated July 25, 2002, on which 
prior revisions of that service bulletin have been done: Within 18 
months after the effective date of this AD, do the actions specified 
in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD per the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A174, Revision 
03, dated July 25, 2002, excluding the Evaluation Form; both 
Revision 03, dated July 25, 2002. Although the service bulletin 
recommends the completion and submission of an Evaluation Form and a 
reporting requirement (Appendix), such reporting is not required by 
this AD.
    (1) Do a general visual inspection to detect arcing damage of 
the terminal strips, surrounding structure, and electrical cables in 
the forward cargo compartment. If any damage is detected, before 
further flight, repair or replace the damaged part with a new part, 
per the service bulletin; except if the type of structural material 
that has been affected is not covered in the SRM, repair per a 
method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.
    (2) Replace the applicable terminal strip in the cargo 
compartment with a new strip (including inspection for damaged 
cables and repair of any damaged cable).

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A174, 
Revision 03, dated July 25, 2002, excluding Appendix. This 
incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the 
Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. Copies 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). Copies may be inspected 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; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on November 26, 2003.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 14, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-26367 Filed 10-21-03; 8:45 am]
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