[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1983-1985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-271]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0228; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-252-AD;
Amendment 39-16574; AD 2011-02-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-
11F Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This AD requires a one-time inspection to detect
damage of the wire assemblies of the tail tank fuel system, a wiring
change, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also requires, for
certain airplanes, a general visual inspection for correct installation
of the self-adhering high-temperature electrical insulation tape;
installation of a wire assembly support bracket and routing wire
assembly; changing wire supports; and installation of a wire protection
bracket. This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct a potential
of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in combination with
flammable vapors, could result in a fuel tank fire or explosion, and
consequent loss of the airplane.
DATES: This AD is effective February 16, 2011.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of February 16,
2011.
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-
0001; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; e-mail
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. You may
review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Serj Harutunian, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification
Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137;
phone: (562) 627-5254; fax: (562) 627-5210; e-mail:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to
amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that
would apply to the specified products. That SNPRM published in the
Federal Register on November 17, 2010 (75 FR 70150). The original NPRM
(75 FR 12464, March 16, 2010) proposed to require a one-time inspection
to detect damage of the wire assemblies of the tail tank fuel system, a
wiring change, and corrective actions if necessary. The SNPRM proposed
to revise the original NPRM by adding, for certain airplanes, a general
visual inspection for correct installation of the self-adhering high-
temperature electrical insulation tape; installation of a wire assembly
support bracket and routing wire assembly; changing wire supports; and
installation of a wire protection bracket.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We have considered the comment received. FedEx supports the
SNPRM.
Explanation of Change Made to the AD
We have revised this AD to identify the legal name of the
manufacturer as published in the most recent type certificate data
sheet for the affected airplane models.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the
AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes and the change
described previously. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
SNPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the SNPRM.
We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 110 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
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Estimated Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product Cost on U.S. operators
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Inspection of tail tank fuel 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $9,350.
system wire assembly. hour = $85.
Inspection of electrical 1 work-hour x $85 per 0 85 $9,350.
insulation tape. hour = $85.
Change wire supports............ 3 work-hours x $85 per 9 264 Up to $29,040.
hour = $255.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary installations
and repairs that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that
might need these installations and repairs.
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Installation/repair............... Up to 23 work-hours x $85 $11,829 Up to $13,784.
per hour = $1,955.
Adjust tape installation.......... 1 x $85 per hour = $85.... 0 $85.
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According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost
estimate.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701: ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
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):
2011-02-01 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16574 ; Docket No. FAA-
2010-0228; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-252-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD is effective February 16, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-11F
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing
Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A124, Revision 1, dated August 24,
2010.
Subject
(d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport
Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD was prompted by fuel system reviews conducted by the
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct a
potential of ignition sources inside fuel tanks, which, in
combination with flammable vapors, could result in a fuel tank fire
or explosion, and consequent loss of the airplane.
Compliance
(f) Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
Action
(g) For airplanes in Group 1, Configuration 1; and Group 2,
Configuration 1: Within 60 months after the effective date of this
AD, perform a general visual inspection to detect damage of wire
assemblies of the tail tank fuel system, in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
28A124, Revision 1, dated August 24, 2010.
(1) For airplanes in Group 1, Configuration 1: If no damage is
found, before further flight, apply self-adhering high-temperature
electrical insulation tape on the wire assemblies, install wire
assembly support brackets, route wire assemblies, install extruded
channel wire supports, and install a wire protection bracket, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin MD11-28A124, Revision 1, dated August 24, 2010.
(2) For airplanes in Group 1, Configuration 1: If damage is
found, before further flight, repair or replace the wire assemblies,
apply
[[Page 1985]]
self-adhering high-temperature electrical insulation tape on the
wire assemblies, install wire assembly support brackets, route wire
assemblies, install extruded channel wire supports, and install a
wire protection bracket, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A124, Revision
1, dated August 24, 2010.
(3) For airplanes in Group 2, Configuration 1: If no damage is
found, before further flight, install wire assembly support
brackets, route wire assemblies, install extruded channel wire
supports, and install a wire protection bracket, in accordance with
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin
MD11-28A124, Revision 1, dated August 24, 2010.
(4) For airplanes in Group 2, Configuration 1: If damage is
found, before further flight, repair or replace the wire assemblies,
install wire assembly support brackets, route wire assemblies,
install extruded channel wire supports, and install a wire
protection bracket, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A124, Revision
1, dated August 24, 2010.
(h) For airplanes in Group 1, Configuration 2: Within 60 months
after the effective date of this AD, do a general visual inspection
for correct installation of the self-adhering high-temperature
electrical insulation tape, and change the wire supports, in
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert
Service Bulletin MD11-28A124, Revision 1, dated August 24, 2010. If
the self-adhering high-temperature electrical insulation tape is
installed incorrectly, before further flight, adjust the tape
installation to achieve the correct dimensions, in accordance with
Figure 1 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A124, Revision 1,
dated August 24, 2010.
(i) For airplanes in Group 2, Configuration 2: Within 60 months
after the effective date of this AD, change the wire supports, in
accordance with Figure 2 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
28A124, Revision 1, dated August 24, 2010.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(j)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if
requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance
with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or
local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the
attention of the person identified in the Related Information
section of this AD.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
Related Information
(k) For more information about this AD, contact Serj Harutunian,
Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles
Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood,
California 90712-4137; phone: (562) 627-5254; fax: (562) 627-5210;
e-mail: [email protected].
Material Incorporated by Reference
(l) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A124,
Revision 1, dated August 24, 2010, to do the actions required by
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information, under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management,
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-
0001; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; e-mail
[email protected]; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.
(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton,
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information that
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at an NARA facility, call 202-741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 3, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-271 Filed 1-11-11; 8:45 am]
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