[Federal Register: December 23, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 246)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 74169-74170]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23de03-7]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-163-AD; Amendment 39-13393; AD 2003-25-10]
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 series
airplanes, that currently requires an inspection to detect chafing or
damage of the electrical wires leading to the terminal strips in the
center accessory compartment (CAC) area, and corrective actions if
necessary. That AD also currently requires revising the wire connection
stack up of certain cable terminals at the electrical power center bays
in the CAC, and replacing certain terminal strips with new strips and
removing applicable nameplates at electrical power center bays. This
amendment requires additional actions for improving the terminal strips
and revises the applicability of the existing AD to include additional
airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
arcing and sparking damage to the power feeder cables, terminal strips,
and adjacent structure, and consequent smoke and fire in the CAC. This
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective January 27, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 27, 2004.
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 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 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, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 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 2000-24-12,
amendment 39-12019 (65 FR 75615, December 4, 2000), which is applicable
to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, was
published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2003 (68 FR 43695). For
certain airplanes, the action proposed to require revising the wire
connection stack up of the cable terminals at the electrical power
center bays in the center accessory compartment (CAC), as applicable;
doing a one-time general visual inspection of the surrounding structure
and electrical cables for chafing or damage; replacing terminal strips;
removing the applicable nameplate at the electrical power center bays
1, 2, and 3 in the CAC; and doing a general visual inspection of the
surrounding structure and electrical cables for arcing damage. For
certain other airplanes, the action also proposed to require relocating
the terminal strip, and doing a general visual inspection of the
surrounding structure and electrical cables for arcing damage. The
action also proposed to revise the applicability of the existing AD to
include additional airplanes.
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.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 163 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 73 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD.
The new actions that are required by this new AD will take
approximately between 1 and 7 work hours per airplane (depending on
airplane configuration) to accomplish, at an
[[Page 74170]]
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost
approximately between $721 and $2,035 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 be between
$786 and $2,490 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.
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 39-12019 (65 FR
75615, December 4, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39-13393, to read as follows:
2003-25-10 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13393. Docket 2001-NM-
163-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-24-12, Amendment 39-12019.
Applicability: Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, as listed in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, Revision 02, dated
December 4, 2002; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent arcing and sparking damage to the power feeder
cables, terminal strips, and adjacent structure, and consequent
smoke and fire in the center accessory compartment (CAC), accomplish
the following:
Revising Wire Connection Stack Up, Inspecting, Replacing Terminal
Strips, Removing the Nameplate, and Relocating Terminal Strips; As
Applicable
(a) For Groups 1 through 6 airplanes as listed in Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, Revision 02, dated December 4, 2002:
Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do the actions
specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD per the service
bulletin. Although the service bulletin references a reporting
requirement, such reporting is not required by this AD.
(1) Revise the wire connection stack up of the cable terminals
at the electrical power center bays 1, 2, and 3 in the CAC, as
applicable, and do a one-time general visual inspection of the
surrounding structure and electrical cables for chafing or damage.
Note: 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.''
(2) Replace the terminal strips and remove the applicable
nameplate at the electrical power center bays 1, 2, and 3 in the
CAC, and do a general visual inspection of the surrounding structure
and electrical cables for arcing damage.
(b) For Group 7 airplanes as listed in Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin MD11-24A097, Revision 02, dated December 4, 2002: Within 12
months after the effective date of this AD, relocate the terminal
strip, and do a general visual inspection of the surrounding
structure and electrical cables for arcing damage, per the service
bulletin. Although the service bulletin references a reporting
requirement, such reporting is not required by this AD.
Corrective Action
(c) If any chafing or damage is detected during any general
visual inspection required by this AD, before further flight, repair
or replace the damaged or chafed component with new or serviceable
components, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, Revision
02, dated December 4, 2002; except if the type of structural
material 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. In addition,
although the service bulletin references a reporting requirement,
such reporting is not required by this AD.
Credit for Earlier Service Bulletins
(d) Applicable actions specified in this AD accomplished before
the effective date of this AD per McDonnell Douglas Alert Service
Bulletin MD11-24A097, dated April 3, 2000; or Revision 01, dated
July 12, 2001, are acceptable for compliance with the applicable
requirements of this AD.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles
ACO, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance
(AMOCs) for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(f) Unless otherwise specified by this AD, the actions shall be
done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A097,
Revision 02, dated December 4, 2002. 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
(g) This amendment becomes effective on January 27, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 11, 2003.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-31196 Filed 12-22-03; 8:45 am]
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