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###### Department of Transportation

###### Federal Aviation Administration 

          - 14 CFR Part 39 
          - [Docket No. 2000-NM-28-AD; Amendment 39-12016; AD 2000-24-09] 
          - RIN 2120-AA64 

# AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. 

      ( print page 75610)    

# ACTION:

Final rule.

# SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, that requires modification of the insulation blankets in the area surrounding the main external power ground studs. This action is necessary to prevent smoke and fire in the forward cargo compartment due to burn damage to the insulation blankets in the area surrounding the main external power ground studs. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition. 

# DATES:

Effective January 8, 2001. 

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of January 8, 2001. 

# ADDRESSES:

The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). 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, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 series airplanes was published in the                     **Federal Register**                     on July 27, 2000 (65 FR 46203). That action proposed to require modification of the insulation blankets in the area surrounding the main external power ground studs.                 

## Comments 

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the single comment received. 

The commenter indicates that it has completed the subject modification and has no objection to the proposed rule. 

## 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 as proposed. 

## Cost Impact 

There are approximately 137 Model MD-11 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 28 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,360, or $120 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, 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. 

## 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 “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 

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 

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: 

Authority:49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 

**2000-24-09 McDonnell Douglas:**                             Amendment 39-12016. Docket 2000-NM-28-AD.                        

*Applicability:*                             Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A187, Revision 01, dated January 5, 2000; certificated in any category.                         

# Note 1:

This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

*Compliance:*                             Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.                         

To prevent smoke and fire in the forward cargo compartment due to burn damage to the insulation blankets in the area surrounding the main external power ground studs, accomplish the following: 

## Modification 

(a) Within one year after the effective date of this AD, modify the insulation blankets in the area surrounding the main external power ground studs in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A187, Revision 01, dated January 5, 2000.

## Alternative Methods of Compliance 

                            (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),                                   ( print page 75611)                                FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.                         

# Note 2:

Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

## Special Flight Permits 

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.12000 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.12000) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. 

## Incorporation by Reference 

(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A187, Revision 01, dated January 5, 2000. 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 Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). 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 

(e) This amendment becomes effective on January 8, 2001.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 22, 2000. 

Donald L. Riggin, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 00-30434 Filed 12-1-00; 8:45 am] 

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