[Federal Register: November 9, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 216)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64847-64849]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09no04-8]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-18573; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-71-AD;
Amendment 39-13847; AD 2004-22-19]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 airplanes. This AD requires
revising the cable connection stackups for mid-cabin terminal strips,
replacing the terminal strips, and removing a nameplate, as applicable.
This AD also requires an inspection for arcing damage in the mid-cabin
area, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD is prompted by an
incident in which arcing occurred between the power feeder cables and
support bracket of the terminal strips. We are issuing this AD to
prevent arcing damage to the terminal strips and damage to the adjacent
structure, which could result in smoke and/or fire in the mid-cabin
compartment.
DATES: This AD becomes effective December 14, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in
the AD is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of
December 14, 2004.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this 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 this information
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.
Docket: The AD docket contains the proposed AD, comments, and any
final disposition. 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
[[Page 64848]]
the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT street address stated
in the ADDRESSES section.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Technical information: 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.
Plain language information: Marcia Walters, marcia.walters@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39
with an AD for certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 airplanes. That
action, published in the Federal Register on July 13, 2004 (69 FR
41990), proposed to require revising the cable connection stackups for
mid-cabin terminal strips, replacing the terminal strips, and removing
a nameplate, as applicable. That action also proposed to require an
inspection for arcing damage in the mid-cabin area, and corrective
actions if necessary.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. No comments have been submitted on the proposed
AD or on the determination of the cost to the public.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.
Costs of Compliance
This AD will affect about 23 airplanes of U.S. registry and 90
airplanes worldwide. The required actions will take between 5 and 6
work hours per airplane depending on the airplane configuration, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost
between $673 and $975 depending on the airplane configuration. The
airplane configuration group requiring the fewest number of work hours
requires parts that cost approximately $710. Based on these figures,
the estimated cost of the AD for U.S. operators is between $1,035 and
$1,365 per airplane depending on the airplane configuration.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2004-22-19 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13847. Docket No. FAA-
2004-18573; Directorate Identifier 2003-NM-71-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective December 14, 2004.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series
airplanes, as listed in paragraph 1.A.1. of McDonnell Douglas Alert
Service Bulletin MD11-24A176, dated May 27, 2003; certificated in
any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by an incident in which arcing occurred
between the power feeder cables and support bracket of the terminal
strips. We are issuing this AD to prevent arcing damage to the
terminal strips and damage to the adjacent structure, which could
result in smoke and/or fire in the mid-cabin compartment.
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.
Revise Wire Connection Stackups; Remove Nameplate, as Applicable; and
Inspect for Damage
(f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do the
actions specified in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A176, dated May 27, 2003. Although the
service bulletin specifies to submit information to the manufacturer
in paragraph 4, ``Appendix,'' this AD does not include that
requirement.
(1) Revise the wire connection stackups, replace the terminal
strips for the power feeder cables, and remove nameplates, as
applicable, at the affected mid-cabin locations.
(2) Do a general visual inspection to detect arcing damage of
the surrounding structure, adjacent system component, and electrical
cables in the mid-cabin area.
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.''
Corrective Action If Necessary
(g) If any damage is detected during the inspection required by
paragraph (f) of this AD, before further flight, repair damage or
replace the damaged part with a new part, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service
Bulletin MD11-24A176, dated May 27, 2003. If 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.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(h) 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A176, dated May 27, 2003, to perform the actions that are required
by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the
Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of this
document in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For
[[Page 64849]]
copies of the service information, contact Boeing Commercial
Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach,
California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-
L5A (D800-0024). For information on the availability of this
material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA),
call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
You may
view the AD docket at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401,
Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 25, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service
[FR Doc. 04-24622 Filed 11-8-04; 8:45 am]
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