[Federal Register: October 22, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 204)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 60283-60284]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22oc03-2]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-52-AD; Amendment 39-13345; AD 2003-21-10]
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 adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes,
that requires an inspection to detect arcing damage of the terminal
strips, surrounding structure, and electrical cables in the forward
cargo compartment; and repair or replacement of any damaged part with a
new part. This amendment also requires modification of the applicable
terminal strip installation in the cargo compartment, and replacement
of the applicable terminal strips in the cargo compartment with new
strips. This action is necessary to prevent arcing and consequent
damage to the terminal strips and adjacent structure and smoke/fire in
the forward cargo compartment. This action is intended to address the
identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective November 26, 2003.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of November 26, 2003.
ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, 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 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 Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
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 24, 2003 (68
FR 43683). That action proposed to require an inspection to detect
arcing damage of the terminal strips, surrounding structure, and
electrical cables in the forward cargo compartment; and repair or
replacement of any damaged part with a new part. That action also
proposed to require modification of the applicable terminal strip
installation in the cargo compartment, and replacement of the
applicable terminal strips in the cargo compartment with new strips.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response
to the supplemental NPRM 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 154 Model MD-11 and--11F airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 59
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately between 1 and 6 work hours per airplane depending on
the airplane configuration to accomplish the required actions, and that
the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost
between $133 and $474 depending on the airplane configuration. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated
to be between $198 and $864 per airplane depending on the 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.
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
[[Page 60284]]
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:
2003-21-10 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13345. Docket 2001-NM-52-
AD.
Applicability: Model MD-11 and--11F airplanes, as listed in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A174, Revision 03, dated July
25, 2002; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent arcing and consequent damage to the terminal strips
and adjacent structure and smoke/fire in the forward cargo
compartment, accomplish the following:
Inspection, Modification, Replacement, and Corrective Actions, if
Necessary
(a) For airplanes on which Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A174, original issue, January 31, 2001; Revision 01, dated April
24, 2001; or Revision 02, dated December 17, 2001; have not been
done: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do the
actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this
AD per the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin MD11-24A174, excluding the Evaluation Form; both Revision
03, dated July 25, 2002. Although the service bulletin recommends
the completion and submission of an Evaluation Form and a reporting
requirement (Appendix), such reporting is not required by this AD.
(1) Do a general visual inspection to detect arcing damage of
the terminal strips, surrounding structure, and electrical cables in
the forward cargo compartment. If any damage is detected, before
further flight, repair or replace the damaged part with a new part,
per the service bulletin; except if the type of structural material
that has been affected is not covered in the Structural Repair
Manual (SRM), 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 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.''
Note 2: Where there are differences between the referenced
service bulletin and the AD, the AD prevails.
(2) Modify the applicable terminal strip installation in the
cargo compartment (including inspection for damaged cables and
repair of any damaged cable).
(3) Replace the applicable terminal strips in the cargo
compartment with new strips (including inspection for damaged cables
and repair of any damaged cable).
(b) For Group 2 airplanes listed in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin MD11-24A174, Revision 03, dated July 25, 2002, on which
prior revisions of that service bulletin have been done: Within 18
months after the effective date of this AD, do the actions specified
in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD per the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A174, Revision
03, dated July 25, 2002, excluding the Evaluation Form; both
Revision 03, dated July 25, 2002. Although the service bulletin
recommends the completion and submission of an Evaluation Form and a
reporting requirement (Appendix), such reporting is not required by
this AD.
(1) Do a general visual inspection to detect arcing damage of
the terminal strips, surrounding structure, and electrical cables in
the forward cargo compartment. If any damage is detected, before
further flight, repair or replace the damaged part with a new part,
per the service bulletin; except if the type of structural material
that has been affected is not covered in the SRM, repair per a
method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.
(2) Replace the applicable terminal strip in the cargo
compartment with a new strip (including inspection for damaged
cables and repair of any damaged cable).
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles
ACO, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance
for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be
done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A174,
Revision 03, dated July 25, 2002, excluding Appendix. 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 Aircraft Group,
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 Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Effective Date
(e) This amendment becomes effective on November 26, 2003.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 14, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-26367 Filed 10-21-03; 8:45 am]
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