[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 233 (Monday, December 4, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75615-75616]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30437]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-33-AD; Amendment 39-12019; AD 2000-24-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series 
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 series airplanes, 
that requires an inspection to detect chafing or damage of the 
electrical wires leading to the terminal strips in the center accessory 
compartment (CAC) area; and corrective actions, if necessary. This 
amendment also requires revising the wire connection stack up of 
certain cable terminals at the electrical power center bays in the CAC, 
and replacing certain terminal strips with new strips and removing 
applicable nameplates at electrical power center bays. This action is 
necessary to prevent arcing and sparking damage to the power feeder 
cables, terminal strips, and adjacent structure, and consequent smoke 
and fire in the CAC. 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 46211). That action proposed to require an inspection 
to detect chafing or damage of the electrical wires leading to the 
terminal strips in the center accessory compartment (CAC) area; and 
corrective actions, if necessary. That action also proposed to require 
revising the wire connection stack up of certain cable terminals at the 
electrical power center bays in the CAC, and replacing certain terminal 
strips with new strips and removing applicable nameplates at electrical 
power center bays.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 151 Model MD-11 series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 59 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately between 6 and 8 work hours per airplane depending on 
the configuration of the airplane to accomplish the required actions, 
and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts 
will cost approximately between $1,091 and $1,256 per airplane 
depending on the configuration of the airplane. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between 
$85,609 and $102,424, or between $1,451 and $1,736 per airplane.
    The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.

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

[[Page 75616]]

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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

2000-24-12 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12019. Docket 2000-NM-33-
AD.

    Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in 
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, dated April 3, 
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 (d) 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 arcing and sparking damage to the power feeder 
cables, terminal strips, and adjacent structure, and consequent 
smoke and fire in the center accessory compartment, accomplish the 
following:

Inspection

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
perform a one-time general visual inspection to detect chafing or 
damage of the electrical wires leading to the terminal strips in the 
center accessory compartment area, in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, dated April 3, 2000.

    Note 2: 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 under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or drop-light, 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.''

Condition 1 (No Chafing or Damage)

    (1) If no chafing or damage is detected, no further action is 
required by this paragraph.

Condition 2 (Evidence of Chafing or Damage on Terminal Strips)

    (2) If any chafing or damage is detected on the terminal strips, 
before further flight, replace the terminal strip with a like part 
and seal screw heads of replaced terminal strips, in accordance with 
the service bulletin.

Condition 3 (Chafing or Damage Within Limits)

    (3) If any chafing is detected and if any damage is detected 
within the limits specified in the service bulletin, before further 
flight, repair damage in accordance with the service bulletin.

Condition 4 (Chafing or Damage Beyond Limits)

    (4) If any chafing is detected and if any damage is detected 
beyond the limits specified in the service bulletin, before further 
flight, replace damaged wires with new wires in accordance with the 
service bulletin.

Revise Wire Connection of the Cable Terminal Strips

    (b) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the wire connection stack up of certain cable terminals at the 
electrical power center bays in the center accessory compartment in 
accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A097, dated April 3, 2000.

Replacement of Terminal Strips and Removal of Nameplate

    (c) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
replace the terminal strips with new strips and remove the 
applicable nameplate at electrical power center bays in the center 
accessory compartment, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert 
Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, dated April 3, 2000.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (d) 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), 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 3: 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 Permit

    (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

Incorporation by Reference

    (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, dated April 3, 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 ACO, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (g) 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. 00-30437 Filed 12-1-00; 8:45 am]
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