[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 63 (Thursday, April 1, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17082-17084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-7360]



[[Page 17082]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-76-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 supersedure of an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas 
Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, that currently requires repetitive 
inspections to verify operation of the remote control circuit breakers 
(RCCB) of the alternating current (AC) cabin bus switch, and 
replacement of any discrepant RCCB with a new RCCB. This action would 
require the existing actions per a later service bulletin revision. The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent 
propagation of smoke and fumes in the cockpit and passenger cabin due 
to an inoperable RCCB of the AC cabin bus switch during smoke and fume 
isolation procedures. This action is intended to address the identified 
unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by May 17, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-76-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-76-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 Airplanes, 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:
     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.
     For each issue, state what specific change to 
the proposed AD is being requested.
     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-76-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-76-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    On July 28, 2000, the FAA issued AD 2000-15-14, amendment 39-11846 
(65 FR 48362, August 23, 2000), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas 
Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, to require repetitive inspections to 
verify operation of the remote control circuit breakers (RCCB) of the 
alternating current (AC) cabin bus switch, and replacement of any 
discrepant RCCB with a new RCCB. That action was prompted by incidents 
in which certain RCCBs of the AC cabin bus switch failed when the 
switch was pushed to the ``OFF'' position. The requirements of that AD 
are intended to prevent propagation of smoke and fumes in the cockpit 
and passenger cabin due to an inoperable RCCB of the AC cabin bus 
switch during smoke and fume isolation procedures.

Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule

    Since the issuance of that AD, the airplane manufacturer has 
informed the FAA that Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A181, dated 
June 27, 2000 (referenced in AD 2000-15-14 as the appropriate source of 
service information for the required actions), specifies correct ``Item 
Numbers'' for the affected RCCBs, but for some airplane groups, 
specifies wrong part numbers. As a result, operators may not have 
inspected all of the affected RCCBs. Therefore, we have determined that 
it is necessary to reinspect all RCCBs.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The FAA has reviewed and approved Revision 1 of Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-24A181, dated July 11, 2003. The repetitive 
inspections and corrective actions if necessary in this revision are 
identical to those described in the original issue of the service 
bulletin. Revision 1 changes group effectivity for 72 airplanes and 
adds disposition recommendations for failed RCCBs. Accomplishment of 
the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to 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

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type design, the proposed AD would supersede AD 2000-15-14 to continue 
to require repetitive inspections to verify operation of the RCCBs of 
the AC cabin bus switch, and replacement of any discrepant RCCB with a 
new RCCB. The proposed AD also would require accomplishment of the 
actions specified in Revision 1 of the service bulletin described 
previously, except as discussed below. Accomplishment of the initial 
inspection per Revision 1 ends the existing repetitive inspections, 
which are done per the original issue of the service bulletin.

Difference Between Proposed Rule and Referenced Service Bulletin

    Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the referenced service bulletin describe procedures for 
sending failed RCCBs to the circuit breaker manufacturer for analysis 
and for reporting inspection findings and the result of the analysis to 
the airplane manufacturer, this proposed AD would not require those 
actions. The FAA does not need this information from operators.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

    We have revised the applicability of the existing AD to reference 
Revision 1 of the service bulletin as the appropriate source of service 
information. As discussed above, the effectivity listing of this 
revision specifies the current groupings of affected airplanes.
    In addition, McDonnell Douglas Model MD -11F series airplanes were 
not specifically identified in the applicability of AD 2000-15-14. 
However, those airplanes were identified by manufacturer's fuselage 
numbers (MFN) in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A181, dated June 
27, 2000 (which was referenced in the applicability statement of the AD 
for determining the specific affected airplanes). Therefore, we have 
revised the applicability of the proposed AD to identify model 
designations as published in the most recent type certificate data 
sheet for the affected models (i.e., Model MD -11 and -11F airplanes).

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 197 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 81 airplanes of U.S. registry 
would be affected by this proposed AD.
    The actions that are currently required by AD 2000-15-14 take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be $5,265, or $65 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
    The new actions that are proposed in this AD action would take 
approximately 1 or 2 work hours per airplane (depending on airplane 
configuration) to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $65 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed 
inspection requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$65 or $130 per airplane (depending on airplane configuration), per 
inspection cycle.
    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. Manufacturer warranty 
remedies may 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 39-11846 (65 FR 
48362, August 23, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

McDonnell Douglas: Docket 2003-NM-76-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-15-14, 
Amendment 39-11846.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and-11F airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A181, Revision 1, dated July 
11, 2003; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent propagation of smoke and fumes in the cockpit and 
passenger cabin due to an inoperable remote control circuit breakers 
(RCCB) of the alternating current (AC) cabin bus switch during smoke 
and fume isolation procedures, accomplish the following:

Requirements of AD 2000-15-14, Amendment 39-11846

Inspection

    (a) Within 45 days after August 23, 2000 (the effective date of 
AD 2000-15-14), perform an inspection to verify operation of the 
RCCB's of the AC cabin bus switch in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-24A181, dated June 27, 2000.

Condition 1 (Proper Operation): Repetitive Inspections

    (1) If all RCCBs are operating properly, repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 700 flight hours.

Condition 2 (Improper Operation): Replacement and Repetitive 
Inspections

    (2) If any RCCB is not operating properly, prior to further 
flight, replace the failed RCCB with a new RCCB in accordance with 
the service bulletin. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 700 flight hours.

New Actions Required by This AD

Inspection

    (b) Within 45 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
an inspection to verify operation of the RCCBs of the AC cabin bus

[[Page 17084]]

switch in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing 
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A181, Revision 1, dated July 11, 2003. 
Accomplishment of this inspection ends the repetitive inspection 
requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.

Condition 1 (No Circuit Breaker Failure): Repetitive Inspections

    (1) If all RCCBs are operating properly, repeat the inspection 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 700 flight hours.

Condition 2 (Circuit Breaker Failure): Replacement and Repetitive 
Inspections

    (2) If any RCCB is not operating properly, prior to further 
flight, replace the failed RCCB with a new RCCB in accordance with 
the service bulletin. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 700 flight hours.

Difference Between AD and Referenced Service Bulletin

    (c) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD 
specifies to submit certain information to the airplane and circuit 
breaker manufacturers, this AD does not include such a requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d)(1) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously per 
AD 2000-15-14, amendment 39-11846, are approved as alternative 
methods of compliance with this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 25, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-7360 Filed 3-31-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P