[Federal Register: July 13, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 133)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 41992-41994]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13jy04-26]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-18572; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-72-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).
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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 replacement of low base terminal boards,
related investigative action, and corrective actions if necessary. This
proposed AD is prompted by arcing between a power feeder cable and
terminal board support bracket. We are proposing this AD to prevent
arcing damage to the power feeder cables, terminal boards, and adjacent
structure, which could result in smoke and/or fire in the cabin.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 27, 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
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Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
You can get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood
Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service
Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024)
You may examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or 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: 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:
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 written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-18572;
Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-72-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 website, 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 may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
may 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 may examine the AD docket in person at the Docket Management
Facility office between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 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
As part of our practice of re-examining all aspects of the service
experience of a particular aircraft whenever an accident occurs, we
have become aware of arcing between a power feeder cable and terminal
board support bracket on a McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 airplane. The
cause is power feeder cables stacked improperly during manufacture in
conjunction with low base terminal boards. Power feeder cables that are
stacked improperly reduce the distance between the cables and mounting
structure. This condition, if not corrected, could result in arcing
damage to the power feeder cables, terminal boards, and adjacent
structure, which could result in smoke and/or fire in the cabin.
Similar Airplanes
The subject area on certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11F
airplanes are identical to those on the affected McDonnell Douglas
Model MD-11 airplanes. Therefore, all of these models may be subject to
the same unsafe condition.
Other Related Rulemaking
In conjunction with Boeing and operators of Model MD-11 and MD-11F
airplanes, we have reviewed all aspects of the service history of those
airplanes to identify potential unsafe conditions and to take
appropriate corrective actions. This proposed AD is one of a series of
corrective actions identified during that process. We have previously
issued several other ADs and may consider further rulemaking actions to
address the remaining identified unsafe conditions.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A175, Revision 01, dated April 25, 2003, including Boeing Information
Notices MD11-24A175 IN 01, dated November 6, 2003, and MD11-24A175 IN
02, dated December 17, 2003. The service bulletin describes procedures
for replacing low base terminal boards with higher base terminal
boards, performing a related investigative action (a general visual
inspection of the cables, surrounding structure, and other systems
components for arcing damage), and performing corrective actions if
necessary. The corrective actions include repairing cable assemblies,
replacing cable assemblies with new or serviceable cable assemblies,
and repairing structural damage. We have determined that accomplishment
of the actions specified in the service bulletin will 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 accomplishment of the actions specified in the service
bulletin described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences
Between the Proposed AD and Referenced Service Bulletin.''
Differences Between Proposed Rule and Referenced Service Bulletin
Although the service bulletin referenced in the proposed AD
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, the
proposed AD does not include that requirement. We do not need this
information from operators.
Operators should also note that the service bulletin specifies to
repair damaged structure in accordance with the structural repair
manual (SRM). However, the SRM does not provide procedures for repair
of certain
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structural material. Therefore, this proposed AD would require the
repair of damaged structure that is not covered in the SRM to be done
in accordance with a method approved by the FAA.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 52 airplanes of U.S. registry
and 152 airplanes worldwide. The following table provides the estimated
costs for U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.
Estimated Costs
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Cost per airplane
Airplanes identified in the service Average labor (depending on the
bulletin as-- Work hours rate per hour Parts cost airplane
configuration)
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Group 1.................................... 3 $65 $45-$384 $240-$579
Groups 2 and 5............................. 1 $65 $45-$384 $110-$449
Groups 3, 4, and 6......................... 2 $65 $45-$384 $175-$514
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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-2004-18572; Directorate Identifier
2003-NM-72-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by August 27, 2004.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F
airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin
MD11-24A175, Revision 01, dated April 25, 2003; certificated in any
category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by arcing between a power feeder cable
and terminal board support bracket. We are issuing this AD to
prevent arcing damage to the power feeder cables, terminal boards,
and adjacent structure, which could result in smoke and/or fire in
the cabin.
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.
Service Bulletin References
(f) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the
Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service
Bulletin MD11-24A175, Revision 01, dated April 25, 2003, including
Boeing Information Notices MD11-24A175 IN 01, dated November 6,
2003, and MD11-24A175 IN 02, dated December 17, 2003.
Replacement, Related Investigative Action, and Corrective Actions
(g) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace low base terminal boards with higher base terminal boards in
accordance with the applicable figure in the service bulletin, and
do all related investigative action/applicable corrective actions by
accomplishing all the actions in the service bulletin, except as
provided by paragraph (h) of this AD. Any related investigative
action/applicable corrective actions must be done before further
flight.
(h) If, during the corrective actions required by paragraph (g)
of this AD, the type of structural material that has been damaged is
not covered in the structural repair manual, before further flight,
repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.
Parts Installation
(i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a
terminal board, as listed in section 1.A.2. ``Spares Affected'' of
the Planning Information of the service bulletin, on any airplane.
No Reporting
(j) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(k) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 30, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-15763 Filed 7-12-04; 8:45 am]
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