[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 9, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64849-64850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-24621]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-32-AD; Amendment 39-13846; AD 2004-22-18]
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 adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, 
that requires an inspection of the auto throttle servo (ATS) assembly 
and corrective actions if necessary. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to prevent electrical shorting of the brake coils of the 
ATS, which could result in smoke in the cockpit and/or passenger cabin. 
This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective December 14, 2004.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 14, 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; 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) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model 
MD-11 and -11F airplanes was published as a supplemental notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on July 13, 2004 (69 
FR 41985). That action proposed to require an inspection of the auto 
throttle servo assembly and corrective actions if necessary.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed 
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are about 195 McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F 
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. We estimate 
that 62 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it 
will take about 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the inspection, 
and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $4,030, or $65 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is 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.

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:


[[Page 64850]]


2004-22-18 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13846. Docket 2000-NM-32-
AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, as listed in 
Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-22-026, dated December 19, 2003; 
certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent electrical shorting of the brake coils of the auto 
throttle servo (ATS), which could result in smoke in the cockpit 
and/or passenger cabin, accomplish the following:

Inspect ATS

    (a) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do an 
inspection to determine the part number (P/N) of the ATS assembly of 
the servo assembly of the TCM, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-22-026, dated December 
19, 2003.

Corrective Actions

    (b) Before further flight after doing the inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, do the applicable corrective action(s) 
specified in ``Table-Corrective Actions,'' in accordance with Boeing 
Service Bulletin MD11-22-026, dated December 19, 2003.

                       Table.--Corrective Actions
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             If--                                Then--
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(1) P/N 4059004-903 is         Reidentify the TCM assembly.
 installed.
(2) P/N 4059004-903 is not     Replace the existing ATS assembly of the
 installed.                     TCM assembly with a new ATS assembly,
                                and reidentify the TCM assembly; or
                                return TCM assembly to Boeing for
                                modification and reidentification.
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Parts Installation

    (c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
a thrust control module assembly having part number ABH7760-1, 
ABH7760-501, ABH7760-503, SR11761001-3, SR11761001-5, SR11761001-7, 
SR11270022-3, SR11761001-9, SR11270022-5, or SR11761001-11, on any 
airplane.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles 
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve 
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

    (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Service 
Bulletin MD11-22-026, dated December 19, 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; 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 December 14, 2004.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 25, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24621 Filed 11-8-04; 8:45 am]
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