[Federal Register: October 27, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 207)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 62629-62631]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27oc04-22]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19449; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-07-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-
11F Airplanes Equipped With Pratt & Whitney PW4000 Series Engines
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 equipped
with Pratt & Whitney PW4000 series engines. This proposed AD would
require, for each engine, replacing, with a tube assembly, the existing
hose assembly that connects the oil pressure transmitter to the main
oil circuit. This proposed AD is prompted by a report indicating that,
for each engine, the existing hose assembly does not meet zero-flow
fireproof capability requirements. We are proposing this AD to prevent,
if there is an engine fire, failure of the oil pressure indicator and
the low-oil pressure warning, which could result in an unannounced
shutdown of that engine; and oil leakage, which may feed the engine
fire.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 13,
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 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood
Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service
Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024).
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person 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:
Technical information: Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion
Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960
Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562)
627-5262; fax (562) 627-5210.
Plain language information: Marcia Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.
[[Page 62630]]
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 relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19449;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-07-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 can review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can 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 can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 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
We have received a report indicating that, on certain McDonnell
Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, the hose assembly that
connects the oil pressure transmitter to the main oil circuit on Pratt
& Whitney PW4000 series engines does not meet zero-flow fireproof
capability requirements. An oil line in this location should have zero-
flow fireproofing, but the existing hose assembly provides only low-
flow fireproofing. Low-flow fireproofing, if not corrected, could
result in failure of the oil pressure indicator and the low-oil
pressure warning if there is an engine fire, which could result in an
unannounced shutdown of that engine; and oil leakage, which may feed
the engine fire.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-79A008, dated
December 11, 2001. The service bulletin describes procedures for
replacing the existing hose assemblies that connect the oil pressure
transmitters to the main oil circuit, with tube assemblies. The service
bulletin also describes procedures for testing the engine oil system
after the replacement. Accomplishing the actions specified in the
service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe
condition.
The service bulletin refers to Pratt & Whitney Alert Service
Bulletin PW4MD11 A79-9, dated October 25, 2001, as an additional source
of service information for replacing the hose assemblies.
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, for each engine, replacing the existing hose assembly
that connects the oil pressure transmitter to the main oil circuit,
with a tube assembly. The proposed AD would require you to use the
Boeing service information described previously to perform these
actions.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 76 airplanes worldwide, and 34
airplanes of U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated
costs for U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.
Estimated Costs
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Number of
Average Cost per U.S.
Action Work hours labor rate Parts airplane registered Fleet cost
per hour airplanes
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Replacement.................... 2 $65 No charge......... $130 34 $4,420
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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
[[Page 62631]]
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-2004-19449; Directorate Identifier
2004-NM-07-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive
comments on this AD action by December 13, 2004.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F
airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-79A008,
dated December 11, 2001; certificated in any category; equipped with
Pratt & Whitney PW4000 series engines.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report indicating that, for each
engine, the existing hose assembly that connects the oil pressure
transmitter to the main oil circuit does not meet zero-flow
fireproof capability requirements. We are proposing this AD to
prevent, if there is an engine fire, failure of the oil pressure
indicator and the low-oil pressure warning, which could result in an
unannounced shutdown of that engine; and oil leakage, which may feed
the engine fire.
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.
Replacement of Hose Assemblies
(f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: For
each engine, replace the existing hose assembly, part number (P/N)
113286, that connects the oil pressure transmitter to the main oil
circuit, with tube assembly P/N 221-5318-501. Do the replacement in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin MD11-79A008, dated December 11, 2001.
Note 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-79A008 refers to
Pratt & Whitney Alert Service Bulletin PW4MD11 A79-9, dated October
25, 2001, as an additional source of service information for
replacing the hose assemblies.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA,
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 18, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24032 Filed 10-26-04; 8:45 am]
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