[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 131 (Friday, July 9, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41414-41416]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15371]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-74-AD; Amendment 39-13719; AD 2004-14-10]
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 supersedes 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 
amendment requires 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 amendment also 
requires an inspection to detect the

[[Page 41415]]

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 this 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: Effective August 13, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 13, 2004.

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 2002-14-11, 
amendment 39-12811 (67 FR 47651, July 19, 2002), which is applicable to 
certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, was published 
in the Federal Register on January 9, 2004 (69 FR 1549). The action 
proposed to 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. The action also 
proposed to 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.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comments received.

Request to Allow Previously Approved Alternative Method of Compliance 
(AMOC)

    One commenter requests that AMOCs approved previously per AD 2002-
14-11 be considered approved as an AMOC with this AD. The commenter 
states that Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-24A138, Revision 1, was 
approved as an AMOC for AD 2002-14-11.
    We agree and have revised the ``Alternative Methods of Compliance'' 
section of the final rule accordingly.

Requests for Editorial Changes

    One commenter requests, for clarification purposes, that paragraphs 
(a)(1) and (a)(3) of Table 1 of the AD be revised to specify that the 
required actions must be done per applicable figure of the service 
bulletin.
    We agree that clarification is necessary, but do not agree that the 
final rule needs to be changed. As specified in paragraph (a) of the 
AD, the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) of Table 
1 must be done ``in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A138, Revision 2, dated July 11, 
2003.'' Paragraph 3.A., Accomplishment Instructions, of the service 
bulletin references figures in the service bulletin for more specific 
instructions for accomplishing the replacements and inspections 
required by this AD. However, it does not specify any applicable 
corrective actions for the required inspections; the applicable 
corrective actions are only specified in the figures of the service 
bulletin. Therefore, for clarification purposes, we referenced the 
applicable figure for accomplishing the applicable corrective actions 
only in paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(4) of Table 1 of the AD.
    The same commenter also requests other minor editorial changes. We 
agree and have revised the final rule accordingly.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public 
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously 
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

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 
will be affected by this AD.
    The new actions that are required in this AD action will take 
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately 
between $175 and $2,002 per airplane, depending on airplane 
configuration. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to between $240 
and $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 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. Manufacturer warranty remedies may also 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

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``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:

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


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-12811 (67 FR 4751, 
July 19, 2002), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
amendment 39-13719, to read as follows:

2004-14-10 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13719. 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 paragraphs (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 of the service bulletin
  on which previous issues of the                 Actions--
        service 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.
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  For Group 2 airplanes listed in
Revision 2 of the service bulletin
  on which previous issues of the                 Actions--
        service 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.
    (c) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously per 
AD 2002-14-11, amendment 39-12811, are approved as alternative 
methods of compliance with this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-24A138, Revision 2, dated July 11, 2003. 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 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

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 13, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 29, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-15371 Filed 7-8-04; 8:45 am]
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