[Federal Register: June 21, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 118)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 34257-34258]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21jn04-2]
[[Page 34257]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-NM-76-AD; Amendment 39-13677; AD 2004-12-16]
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 -11F
series airplanes, that currently requires repetitive inspections to
verify operation of the remote control circuit breakers (RCCB) of the
alternating current (AC) cabin bus switch, and replacement of any
discrepant RCCB with a new RCCB. This amendment requires the existing
actions per a later service bulletin revision. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent propagation of smoke and fumes in the
cockpit and passenger cabin due to one or more inoperable RCCBs of the
AC cabin bus switch during smoke and fume isolation procedures. This
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Effective July 26, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 26, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
MD11-24A181, dated June 27, 2000, as listed in the regulations, was
approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as August
23, 2000 (65 FR 48362, August 8, 2000).
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 2000-15-14,
amendment 39-11846 (65 FR 48362, August 23, 2000), which is applicable
to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, was
published in the Federal Register on April 1, 2004 (69 FR 17082). The
action proposed to require repetitive inspections to verify operation
of the remote control circuit breakers (RCCB) of the alternating
current (AC) cabin bus switch, and replacement of any discrepant RCCB
with a new RCCB.
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 197 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 81 airplanes of U.S. registry
will be affected by this AD.
The actions that are currently required by AD 2000-15-14 take
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $5,265, or $65 per airplane, per inspection cycle.
The new actions that are required in this AD action will take
approximately 1 or 2 work hours per airplane (depending on airplane
configuration) to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $65 per work
hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection
requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $65 or
$130 per airplane (depending on airplane configuration), per inspection
cycle.
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. Manufacturer warranty remedies may be available
for labor costs associated with this AD. As a result, the costs
attributable to the AD may be less than stated above.
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:
[[Page 34258]]
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-11846 (65 FR
48362, August 23, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), amendment 39-13677, to read as follows:
2004-12-16 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13677. Docket 2003-NM-76-
AD. Supersedes AD 2000-15-14, Amendment 39-11846.
Applicability: Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, as listed in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A181, Revision 1, dated July
11, 2003; certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent propagation of smoke and fumes in the cockpit and
passenger cabin due to one or more inoperable remote control circuit
breakers (RCCB) of the alternating current (AC) cabin bus switch
during smoke and fume isolation procedures, accomplish the
following:
Requirements of AD 2000-15-14, Amendment 39-11846
Inspection
(a) Within 45 days after August 23, 2000 (the effective date of
AD 2000-15-14), perform an inspection to verify operation of the
RCCBs of the AC cabin bus switch in accordance with Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin MD11-24A181, dated June 27, 2000.
Condition 1 (Proper Operation): Repetitive Inspections
(1) If all RCCBs are operating properly, repeat the inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 700 flight hours.
Condition 2 (Improper Operation): Replacement and Repetitive
Inspections
(2) If any RCCB is not operating properly, prior to further
flight, replace the failed RCCB with a new RCCB in accordance with
the service bulletin. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals
not to exceed 700 flight hours.
New Actions Required by This AD
Inspection
(b) Within 45 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
an inspection to verify operation of the RCCBs of the AC cabin bus
switch in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A181, Revision 1, dated July 11, 2003.
Accomplishment of this inspection ends the repetitive inspection
requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.
Condition 1 (No Circuit Breaker Failure): Repetitive Inspections
(1) If all RCCBs are operating properly, repeat the inspection
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 700 flight hours.
Condition 2 (Circuit Breaker Failure): Replacement and Repetitive
Inspections
(2) If any RCCB is not operating properly, prior to further
flight, replace the failed RCCB with a new RCCB in accordance with
the service bulletin. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals
not to exceed 700 flight hours.
Difference Between AD and Referenced Service Bulletin
(c) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD
specifies to submit certain information to the airplane and circuit
breaker manufacturers, this AD does not include such a requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(d)(1) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.
(2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously per
AD 2000-15-14, amendment 39-11846, are approved as alternative
methods of compliance with this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin MD11-24A181, dated June 27, 2000; and Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin MD11-24A181, Revision 1, dated July 11, 2003; as
applicable.
(1) The incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin MD11-24A181, Revision 1, dated July 11, 2003, 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 Boeing Alert Service
Bulletin MD11-24A181, dated June 27, 2000, was approved previously
by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 23, 2000 (65 FR
48362, August 8, 2000).
(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 (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 July 26, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 7, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-13565 Filed 6-18-04; 8:45 am]
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