[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 6 (Friday, January 9, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1549-1551]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-477]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-74-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 supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas 
Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, that currently requires, among other 
actions, replacing the ground support bracket(s); and rerouting the 
ground cables of the galley external power and main external power, as 
applicable. This action would require replacing ground support brackets 
with new brackets, and replacing ground cables of the galley external 
power and main external power with new cables; as applicable. This 
action also would require an inspection to detect the presence of a 
fillet seal at the ground brackets and to detect excessive length and 
correct terminations of the ground cables of the galley and main 
external power, as applicable; and corrective actions if necessary. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent arcing and 
heat damage to the attachment points of the main external and galley 
power receptacle ground wire, insulation blankets outboard and aft of 
the receptacle area, and adjacent power cables, which could result in 
smoke and fire in the forward cargo compartment. This action is 
intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by February 23, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-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. 2003-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 or 2000 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.

[[Page 1550]]


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 2003-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. 2003-NM-74-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On July 2, 2002, the FAA issued AD 2002-14-11, amendment 39-12811 
(67 FR 47651, July 19, 2002), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas 
Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, to require replacing the ground support 
bracket(s); and rerouting the ground cables of the galley external 
power and main external power, as applicable. That AD also requires an 
inspection of the ground cables of the main external power and galley 
external power for excessive length, as applicable; and corrective 
actions, if necessary. That action was prompted by FAA's determination 
that currently required actions may not adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition. The requirements of that AD are intended 
to prevent arcing and heat damage to the attachment points of the main 
external and galley power receptacle ground wire, insulation blankets 
outboard and aft of the receptacle area, and adjacent power cables, 
which could result in smoke and fire in the forward cargo compartment.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of that AD, Boeing has informed the FAA that 
Revision 01 of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A138, 
dated June 5, 2001 (referenced as the appropriate source of service 
information for accomplishing the required actions), references an 
incorrect termination code and does not specify procedures for a 
general visual inspection of the ground bracket to detect a fillet 
seal. Therefore, we have determined that more work is necessary on 
airplanes that accomplished the requirements of AD 2002-14-11 in order 
to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.

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 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 Revision 2 of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-24A138, dated July 11, 2003, which describes the 
following procedures depending on the airplane configuration:
    [sbull] Replacing ground support brackets with new brackets, and 
replacing ground cables of the galley external power and main external 
power with new cables; and
    [sbull] Doing a general visual inspection to detect the presence of 
a fillet seal at the ground brackets and to detect excessive length and 
correct terminations of the ground cables of the galley and main 
external power, and applicable corrective actions if necessary. The 
corrective actions include replacing brackets with new brackets, and 
replacing ground cables with new cables; as applicable.
    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 supersede AD 2002-14-11 to require accomplishment of 
the actions specified in Revision 02 of the service bulletin described 
previously.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 154 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.
    The new actions that are proposed in this AD action would take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts would cost 
approximately between $175 and $2,002 per airplane depending on 
airplane configuration. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
proposed requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
between $240, or $2,067 per airplane depending on airplane 
configuration.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions 
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or proposed 
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

[[Page 1551]]

proposed AD, subject to warranty conditions. Manufacturer warranty 
remedies may also be available for labor costs associated with this 
proposed AD. As a result, the costs attributable to the proposed AD may 
be less than stated above.

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 removing amendment 39-12811 (67 FR 
47651, July 19, 2002), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 2003-NM-74-AD. Supersedes AD 2002-14-11, 
Amendment 39-12811.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A138, Revision 2, dated July 
11, 2003; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent arcing and heat damage to the attachment points of 
the main external and galley power receptacle ground wire, 
insulation blankets outboard and aft of the receptacle area, and 
adjacent power cables, which could result in smoke and fire in the 
forward cargo compartment, accomplish the following:

Replacement, Inspection, and Corrective Actions if Necessary

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish the actions specified in paragraph (a)(1) through (a)(4) 
of Table 1 of this AD, as applicable, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A138, Revision 2, dated July 11, 2003. Any applicable corrective 
action must be accomplished before further flight.

                       Table 1.--Required Actions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    For Group 1 airplanes listed in
   Revision 2 the service bulletin on
  which previous issues of the service              Actions--
               bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Have not been done.................  Replace the ground support
                                          brackets with new brackets,
                                          and replace the ground cables
                                          of the galley external power
                                          and main external power with
                                          new cables.
(2) Have been done.....................  Do a general visual inspection
                                          to detect the presence of a
                                          fillet seal at the ground
                                          brackets and to detect
                                          excessive length and correct
                                          terminations of the ground
                                          cables of the galley and main
                                          external power. If any
                                          discrepancy is detected, do
                                          applicable corrective actions
                                          per Figure 3 of the service
                                          bulletin.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
    For Group 2 airplanes listed in
 Revision 2 of the service bulletin on
  which previous issues of the service              Actions--
               bulletin--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Have not been done.................  Replace the ground support
                                          bracket with a new bracket,
                                          and replace the ground cables
                                          of the main external power
                                          with new cables.
(4) Have been done.....................  Do a general visual inspection
                                          to detect the presence of a
                                          fillet seal at the ground
                                          brackets and to detect
                                          excessive length and correct
                                          terminations of the ground
                                          cables of the main external
                                          power. If any discrepancy is
                                          detected, do applicable
                                          corrective actions per Figure
                                          4 of the service bulletin.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    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.''

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 (AMOCs) for this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 2, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-477 Filed 1-8-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P