[Federal Register: January 20, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 12)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 2655-2656]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20ja04-2]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-167-AD; Amendment 39-13433; AD 2004-01-19]
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 adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes,
that requires replacement of the wire assembly connectors of the bag
rack lighting with new, moisture-resistant connectors and
reidentification of the bag racks. This action is necessary to prevent
arcing of the wire assembly connectors of the overhead storage bin, and
service module and bin extension assemblies, and consequent smoke/fire
in the cabin. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe
condition.
DATES: Effective February 24, 2004.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of February 24, 2004.
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 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, 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) to include an airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model
MD-11 and -11F airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July
24, 2003 (68 FR 43681). That action proposed to require replacement of
the wire assembly connectors of the bag rack lighting with new,
moisture-resistant connectors and reidentification of the bag racks.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Requests To Revise Applicability
Two commenters request that the applicability of the proposed AD be
revised to exclude airplanes with certain manufacturer's fuselage
numbers (MSN) that have been modified from a passenger-to-freighter
configuration. One commenter notes that the proposed AD affects both
Model MD-11 (passenger) and -11F (freighter) airplanes, as listed in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A064, dated March 6, 2002. The
commenters also note that the effectivity listing of the referenced
service bulletin includes manufacturer's fuselage numbers (MFN) 530,
537, 540, 547, 550, 554, and 574. The commenters state that, at the
time the service bulletin was written, these MFNs were passenger
airplanes; however, Boeing has since converted these MFNs to
freighters. The commenters conclude that these MFNs no longer have
approved configurations that include the components affected by the
proposed AD.
We agree. We have revised the applicability to exclude airplanes
that have been converted from a passenger-to-freighter configuration,
on which passenger configuration equipment has been removed per Boeing-
approved drawings after March 6, 2002 (the issue date of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin MD11-33A064).
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule with the changes previously
described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 111 Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes of the
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 26
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.
For Group 1 airplanes identified in the referenced service
bulletin, it will take approximately 11 work hours per airplane to
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $65 per
work hour. Required parts will cost between $1,140 and $1,406 per
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $1,855 and $2,121 per airplane.
For Group 2 airplanes identified in the referenced service
bulletin, it will take approximately 13 work hours per airplane to
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor rate of $65 per
work hour. Required parts will cost between $1,140 and $1,406 per
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $1,985, and $2,251 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is 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. The manufacturer may cover the cost of
replacement parts associated with this AD, subject to warranty
conditions. Manufacturer warranty remedies may also be available for
labor costs associated with this AD.
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
[[Page 2656]]
``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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
2004-01-19 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13433. Docket 2001-NM-
167-AD.
Applicability: Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, as listed in
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A064, dated March 6, 2002;
certificated in any category; excluding those airplanes that have
been converted from a passenger-to-freighter configuration, on which
passenger configuration equipment has been removed per Boeing-
approved drawings after March 6, 2002 (the issue date of Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A064).
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent arcing of the wire assembly connectors of the
overhead storage bin, and service module and bin extension
assemblies, and consequent smoke/fire in the cabin, accomplish the
following:
Replacement and Reidentification
(a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
replace the wire assembly connectors of the bag rack lighting with
new, moisture-resistant connectors and reidentify the bag racks, per
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A064, dated March 6, 2002.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, is authorized to approve
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.
Incorporation by Reference
(c) The replacement shall be done in accordance with Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A064, dated March 6, 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 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 Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Effective Date
(d) This amendment becomes effective on February 24, 2004.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 2, 2004.
Kevin M. Mullin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-764 Filed 1-16-04; 8:45 am]
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