[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 183 (Wednesday, September 22, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56680-56682]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21175]



[[Page 56680]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-69-AD; Amendment 39-13799; AD 2004-19-05]
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 MD-11F 
airplanes, that currently requires replacing terminal strips and 
supports above the main cabin area and avionics compartment with new 
strips and supports, as applicable. That AD also requires performing an 
inspection to detect arcing damage of the surrounding structure of the 
terminal strips and electrical cables in the avionics compartment, and 
repairing or replacing any damaged component with a new component. This 
amendment expands the applicability of the existing AD to include 
additional airplanes. For certain airplanes, this action also requires 
replacement of the terminal board for the applicable item numbers in 
the aft passenger compartment. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent electrical arcing caused by power feeder cable 
terminal lugs grounding against terminal strip support brackets, which 
could result in smoke and fire in the main cabin or avionics 
compartment. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

DATES: Effective October 27, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain publication, as listed 
in the regulations, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register 
as of October 27, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of a certain other publication, as 
listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of 
the Federal Register as of August 23, 2002 (67 FR 47647, July 19, 
2002).

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 2002-14-09, 
amendment 39-12809 (67 FR 47647, July 19, 2002), which is applicable to 
certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, was 
published in the Federal Register on May 27, 2004 (69 FR 30245). The 
action proposed to expand the applicability of the existing AD to 
include additional airplanes. For certain airplanes, the action also 
proposed to require replacement of the terminal board for the 
applicable item numbers in the aft passenger compartment.

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.

Explanation of Change Made to Final Rule

    Because the language in Note 2 of the proposed AD is regulatory in 
nature, that note has been included in paragraph (d) of this final 
rule.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 154 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A178. 
The FAA estimates that 61 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected 
by this AD. The cost estimate for those airplanes is as follows:
    1. The actions that are currently required by AD 2002-14-09 and 
retained in this AD take approximately 3 or 4 work hours per airplane 
(depending on airplane configuration) to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts cost approximately 
$1,142 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,337 
or $1,420 per airplane (depending on airplane configuration).
    2. For Group 3 and 4 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-24A178, the new actions that are required in this AD 
action take approximately 4 (kit/part number SA11240178-3) or 5 (kit/
part number SA11240178-5) work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an 
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $3,031 (kit/part number SA11240178-3) or $617 per 
airplane (kit/part number SA11240178-5). Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of these new requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $3,291 (kit/part number SA11240178-3) or $942 (kit/part 
number SA11240178-5) per airplane.
    There are approximately 103 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin 
MD11-24A177. The FAA estimates that 33 airplanes of U.S. registry will 
be affected by this AD.
    For airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A177, the new replacement that is required in this AD action takes 
between 1 and 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish, at an average 
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost between $114 
and $876 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the 
new replacement requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated 
to be between $5,907 and $35,343, or between $179 and $1,071 per 
airplane.
    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.

[[Page 56681]]

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:

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


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-12809 (67 FR 
47647, July 19, 2002), and by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD), to read as follows:

2004-19-05 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13799. Docket 2003-NM-69-
AD. Supersedes AD 2002-14-09, Amendment 39-12809.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A178, Revision 02, dated March 
11, 2003, and McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A177, 
dated July 18, 2003; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent electrical arcing caused by power feeder cable 
terminal lugs grounding against terminal strip support brackets, 
which could result in smoke and fire in the main cabin or avionics 
compartment, accomplish the following:

Certain Requirements of AD 2002-14-09, Amendment 39-12809

Replacement, Inspection, and Corrective Action If Necessary

    (a) For airplanes listed in the effectivity of McDonnell Douglas 
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A178, Revision 01, dated December 17, 
2001: Within 18 months after August 23, 2002 (the effective date of 
AD 2002-14-09, amendment 39-12809), do the actions specified in 
paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD per the service bulletin.
    (1) Replace the applicable terminal strips in the avionics 
compartment with new terminal strips (including inspecting wires for 
damage, repairing any damaged wire, and removing the nameplate); and
    (2) Perform a general visual inspection to detect arcing damage 
of the surrounding structure of the terminal strips and electrical 
cables in the avionics compartment. If any damage is detected, 
before further flight, repair or replace any damaged component with 
a new component, per the service bulletin; except if the type of 
structural material of the surrounding structure that has been 
affected is not covered in the Structural Repair Manual, 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 under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, 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.''

    (b) Accomplishment of the replacement, inspection, and 
corrective action, before the effective date of this AD, per 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A178, dated May 14, 
2001, is considered acceptable for compliance with the applicable 
actions specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.

New Requirements of This AD

Replacement, Inspection, and Corrective Action If Necessary

    (c) For Groups 3 and 4 airplanes listed in the effectivity of 
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A178, Revision 02, dated March 
11, 2003: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do 
the actions specified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD per 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. Although 
the service bulletin specifies to report inspection findings to the 
airplane manufacturer, this AD does not include such a requirement.
    (1) Replace the applicable terminal strips in the avionics 
compartment with new terminal strips (including inspecting wires for 
damage, repairing any damaged wire, and removing the nameplate); and
    (2) Perform a general visual inspection to detect arcing damage 
of the surrounding structure of the terminal strips and electrical 
cables in the avionics compartment. If any damage is detected, 
before further flight, repair or replace any damaged component with 
a new component, per the service bulletin; except if the type of 
structural material of the surrounding structure that has been 
affected is not covered in the Structural Repair Manual, repair per 
a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA.
    (d) For airplanes listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-24A177, dated July 18, 2003: Within 18 months after 
the effective date of this AD, replace the terminal board for the 
applicable item numbers in the aft passenger compartment, per the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. Boeing Service 
Bulletin Information Notice MD11-24A177 IN 01, dated August 7, 2003, 
revises service kit numbers specified in paragraph 2.B., ``Post-
Warranty,'' of the service bulletin.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (e)(1) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles 
ACO, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance 
for this AD.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously per 
AD 2002-14-09, amendment 39-12809, are approved as alternative 
methods of compliance with paragraph (a) of this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be 
done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin 
MD11-24A178, Revision 01, dated December 17, 2001; Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-24A178, Revision 02, excluding Appendix A, 
dated March 11, 2003; and McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin 
MD11-24A177, dated July 18, 2003, as revised by Boeing Service 
Bulletin Information Notice MD11-24A177 IN 01, dated August 7, 2003; 
as applicable.
    (1) The incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service 
Bulletin MD11-24A178, Revision 02, excluding Appendix A, dated March 
11, 2003; and McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A177, 
dated July 18, 2003, as revised by Boeing Service Bulletin 
Information Notice MD11-24A177 IN 01, dated August 7, 2003; as 
applicable; 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 McDonnell Douglas Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-24A178, Revision 01, dated December 17, 2001, 
was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 23, 2002 (67 FR 47647, July 19, 2002).
    (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

[[Page 56682]]

(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

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on October 27, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 13, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-21175 Filed 9-21-04; 8:45 am]
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