[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 118 (Monday, June 21, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34257-34258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13565]



[[Page 34257]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-76-AD; Amendment 39-13677; AD 2004-12-16]
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 supersedes an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F 
series 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 amendment requires the existing 
actions per a later service bulletin revision. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent propagation of smoke and fumes in the 
cockpit and passenger cabin due to one or more inoperable RCCBs of the 
AC cabin bus switch during smoke and fume isolation procedures. This 
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective July 26, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 26, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 
MD11-24A181, dated June 27, 2000, as listed in the regulations, was 
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as August 
23, 2000 (65 FR 48362, August 8, 2000).

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport 
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 
3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: 
http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

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) by superseding AD 2000-15-14, 
amendment 39-11846 (65 FR 48362, August 23, 2000), which is applicable 
to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2004 (69 FR 17082). The 
action proposed 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.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal 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 197 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 81 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this 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 required in this AD action will 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 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 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 AD. As a result, the costs 
attributable to the AD may be less than stated above.

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 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:


[[Page 34258]]


    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
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), amendment 39-13677, to read as follows:

2004-12-16 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13677. 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 one or more 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 
RCCBs 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 
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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-24A181, dated June 27, 2000; and Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-24A181, Revision 1, dated July 11, 2003; as 
applicable.
    (1) The incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-24A181, Revision 1, dated July 11, 2003, is approved 
by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) The incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-24A181, dated June 27, 2000, was approved previously 
by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 23, 2000 (65 FR 
48362, August 8, 2000).
    (3) Copies 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). 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 National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Effective Date

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 26, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 7, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-13565 Filed 6-18-04; 8:45 am]
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