[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 193 (Wednesday, October 6, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59837-59839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22471]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19262; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-54-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-
11F Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require inspecting the power feeder cables of the 
auxiliary power unit (APU) for chafing damage, and accomplishing any 
related corrective action. This proposed AD also would require 
modifying the drain line of the fuel feed shroud of the horizontal 
stabilizer. This proposed AD is prompted by a report of the drain line 
of the fuel feed shroud riding on the power feeder cables of the APU. 
We are proposing this AD to prevent chafing of the power feeder cables 
of the APU, which could result in electrical arcing to adjacent 
structure and consequent fire in the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 22, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     By fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood 
Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service 
Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024).
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-
401, on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: Samuel Lee, 
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5262; fax (562) 627-5210.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19262; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-54-AD'' in the subject line of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You can

[[Page 59838]]

review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register 
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    We have received a report indicating that, during a scheduled 
maintenance period, an operator found the drain line of the fuel feed 
shroud riding on the power feeder cables of the auxiliary power unit 
(APU) on a Model MD-11 airplane. Inspections of the operator's fleet 
revealed that the majority of the airplanes had the same condition. 
Further investigation revealed that many of the clamps, brackets, and 
fuel feed drain lines were distorted and bent from the original 
delivered condition, causing chafing damage to the power feeder cables 
of the APU. This chafing could result in electrical arcing to adjacent 
structure and consequent fire in the airplane.

Similar Airplanes

    The subject area on certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11F 
airplanes is identical to that on the affected McDonnell Douglas Model 
MD-11 airplanes. Therefore, all of these airplanes may be subject to 
the same unsafe condition.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A119, 
including Appendix A, dated June 3, 2003. The service bulletin 
describes procedures for inspecting the power feeder cables of the APU 
for chafing damage, and related corrective action. The related 
corrective action includes repairing or replacing the power feeder 
cables if any damage is found that is outside the limits specified in 
the service bulletin.
    The service bulletin also describes procedures for modifying the 
drain line of the fuel feed shroud of the horizontal stabilizer.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is 
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which 
would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

Clarification of Inspection Terminology

    In this proposed AD, the ``inspection'' specified in the referenced 
service bulletin is referred to as a ``general visual inspection.'' We 
have included the definition for a general visual inspection in a note 
in the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 195 airplanes worldwide and 85 
airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The proposed inspection would take about 1 work hour per airplane, 
at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, 
the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $5,525, or 
$65 per airplane.
    The proposed modification would take about 3 work hours per 
airplane (including the functional test), at an average labor rate of 
$65 per work hour. Parts cost would be minimal. Based on these figures, 
the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $16,575, or 
$195 per airplane.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

McDonnell Douglas: Docket No. FAA-2004-19262; Directorate Identifier 
2004-NM-54-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive 
comments on this AD action by November 22, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F 
airplanes, certificated in any category; as listed in Boeing Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-28A119, dated June 3, 2003.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of the drain line of the 
fuel feed shroud riding on the power feeder cables of the auxiliary 
power unit (APU). We are issuing this AD to prevent chafing of the 
power feeder cables of the APU, which could result in electrical 
arcing to adjacent structure and consequent fire in the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspection/Related Corrective Action/Modification

    (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Do the 
actions required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD by doing 
all the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Boeing Alert

[[Page 59839]]

Service Bulletin MD11-28A119, including Appendix A, dated June 3, 
2003.
    (1) Accomplish a general visual inspection of the power feeder 
cables of the APU for chafing damage. Do any related corrective 
action before further flight.
    (2) Modify the drain line of the fuel feed shroud of the 
horizontal stabilizer (including a functional test after 
accomplishing the modification).

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``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 
ensure visual access to all 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 (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 29, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-22471 Filed 10-5-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P