4076 Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 13 / Friday, January 20, 1995 / Rules and Regulations

unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no

case does the presence of any modification,

alteration, or repair remove any airplane from

the applicability of this AD.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless

accomplished previously.

To prevent the inability of the tailcone to

deploy, which could impede the egress of

passengers from the airplane during an

emergency evacuation, accomplish the

following:

(a) Within 18 months after the effective

date of this AD, inspect the tailcone release

locking cable fitting assembly for proper

operation in accordance with the procedures

specified in McDonnell Douglas DC–9

Service Bulletin 53–269, dated August 11,

1994. If the swaged ball on the cable can pass

into the handle hole, prior to further flight,

replace or modify the fitting assembly in

accordance with the service bulletin.

(b) Within 36 months after the effective

date of this AD, replace or modify the fitting

assembly in accordance with McDonnell

Douglas DC–9 Service Bulletin 53–269, dated

August 11, 1994. Such replacement or

modification constitutes terminating action

for the requirements of this AD.

(c) 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, Transport Airplane Directorate.

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.

(d) 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.

(e) The inspection, replacement, and

modification shall be done in accordance

with McDonnell Douglas DC–9 Service

Bulletin 53–269, dated August 11, 1994. 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

McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box

1771, Long Beach, California 90801–1771,

Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical

Administrative Support, Dept. L51, M.C. 2–

98. 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, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960

Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California;

or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800

North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,

Washington, DC.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on

February 21, 1995.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January

6, 1995.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 95–792 Filed 1–19–95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94–NM–234–AD; Amendment

39–9120; AD 94–26–51]

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell

Douglas Model MD–11 Series

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for

comments.

SUMMARY: This document publishes in

the Federal Register an amendment

adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD)

T94–26–51 that was sent previously to

all known U.S. owners and operators of

all McDonnell Douglas Model MD–11

series airplanes by individual telegrams.

This AD requires a revision to the FAAapproved Airplane Flight Manual

(AFM) to prohibit autoland operation

below 100 feet above ground level

(AGL), and the installation of certain

flight control computer software. This

AD provides for an optional terminating

action for the AFM revision. This

amendment is prompted by reports of a

loose nut on a coaxial connector on a

radio altimeter receiver/transmitter rack,

and the transmittal of erroneous altitude

data to the flight control computers

below 100 feet AGL, which resulted in

abnormal flare (pitch) control during

autoland operation. The actions

specified by this AD are intended to

prevent abnormal flare (pitch) control,

which could result in degradation of the

landing capability of the airplane.

DATES: Effective February 6, 1995, to all

persons except those persons to whom

it was made immediately effective by

telegraphic AD T94–26–51, issued

December 19, 1994, which contained

the requirements of this amendment.

The incorporation by reference of

certain publications listed in the

regulations is approved by the Director

of the Federal Register as of February 6,

1995.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules

Docket must be received on or before

March 21, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–103,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 94–NM–

234–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

The applicable service information

may be obtained from McDonnell

Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771,

Long Beach, California 90801–1771,

Attention: Business Unit Manager,

Technical Administrative Support,

Dept. L51, M.C. 2–98. This information

may be examined at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue

SW., Renton, Washington; the FAA,

Transport Airplane Directorate, 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–

132L, FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft

Certification Office, 3960 Paramount

Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712;

telephone (310) 627–5347; fax (310)

627–5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On

December 19, 1994, the FAA issued

telegraphic AD T94–26–51, which is

applicable to all McDonnell Douglas

Model MD–11 series airplanes.

That action was prompted by two

reports of abnormal flare (pitch) control

that occurred during autoland operation

on McDonnell Douglas Model MD–11

series airplanes. McDonnell Douglas

reported that, during one occurrence,

radio altimeter #1 transmitted erroneous

altitude data to the flight control

computers below 100 feet above ground

level (AGL). This condition caused the

airplane to flare prematurely during

landing. Following a subsequent

occurrence of abnormal autoland

operation, an operator noticed that a nut

on a coaxial connector on the back of

the radio altimeter receiver/transmitter

rack was loose. After refastening the

connector, the airplane exhibited

normal flare during autoland operation.

Subsequent investigation of these

reports conducted by McDonnell

Douglas revealed that signals leaked

between the transmitter and receiver of

radio altimeter #1. The cause of this

leakage has not yet been determined. In

addition, the exact failure mode of the

radio altimeter coaxial cable that can

produce the leakage is unclear at this

time. The manufacturer is conducting

an investigation into the cause of this

leakage in order to develop a corrective

action.

Early and/or abnormal flare (pitch)

control during autoland operation, if not

corrected, could result in degradation of

the landing capability of the airplane.

Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 13 / Friday, January 20, 1995 / Rules and Regulations 4077

The FAA has reviewed and approved

McDonnell Douglas MD–11 Alert

Service Bulletin A34–57, dated

December 19, 1994, which describes

procedures for repetitive inspections to

determine if the connector nut of the

four coaxial connectors on the back of

the radio altimeter receiver/transmitter

is loose; repetitive leakage indication

tests to verify the integrity of the radio

altimeter antenna system; and

correction of any discrepancy.

The alert service bulletin references

McDonnell Douglas MD–11 Service

Bulletin 22–14, dated November 30,

1994, which describes procedures for

installation of –905 flight control

computer (FCC) software.

Accomplishment of this installation will

provide additional protection against

the effects of other discrepancies that

may exist in the radio altimeter antenna

system.

Since the unsafe condition described

is likely to exist or develop on other

airplanes of the same type design, the

FAA issued Telegraphic AD T94–26–51

to require a revision to the FAAapproved Airplane Flight Manual

(AFM) to prohibit autoland operation

below 100 feet AGL.

This AD also provides for an optional

terminating action for the AFM revision.

The optional terminating action consists

of:

1. Performing repetitive inspections to

determine if the connector nut of the

four coaxial connectors on the back of

the radio altimeter receiver/transmitter

is loose, and tightening the nut, if

necessary; and

2. Performing repetitive leakage

indication tests to verify the integrity of

the radio altimeter antenna system, and

correction of any discrepancy found.

These actions, if accomplished, are

required to be accomplished in

accordance with McDonnell Douglas

MD–11 Alert Service Bulletin A34–57,

dated December 19, 1994, as described

previously.

This AD also requires installation of

–905 FCC software. The installation is

required to be accomplished in

accordance with McDonnell Douglas

MD–11 Service Bulletin 22–14, as

described previously.

This is considered to be interim

action until final action is identified, at

which time the FAA may consider

further rulemaking.

As a result of recent communications

with the Air Transport Association

(ATA) of America, the FAA has learned

that, in general, some operators may

misunderstand the legal effect of AD’s

on airplanes that are identified in the

applicability provision of the AD, but

that have been altered or repaired in the

area addressed by the AD. The FAA

points out that all airplanes identified in

the applicability provision of an AD are

legally subject to the AD. If an airplane

has been altered or repaired in the

affected area in such a way as to affect

compliance with the AD, the owner or

operator is required to obtain FAA

approval for an alternative method of

compliance with the AD, in accordance

with the paragraph of each AD that

provides for such approvals. A note has

been included in this rule to clarify this

requirement.

Since it was found that immediate

corrective action was required, notice

and opportunity for prior public

comment thereon were impracticable

and contrary to the public interest, and

good cause existed to make the AD

effective immediately by individual

telegrams issued on December 19, 1994,

to all known U.S. owners and operators

of McDonnell Douglas Model MD–11

series airplanes. These conditions still

exist, and the AD is hereby published in

the Federal Register as an amendment

to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it

effective to all persons.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of

a final rule that involves requirements

affecting flight safety and, thus, was not

preceded by notice and an opportunity

for public comment, comments are

invited on this rule. Interested persons

are invited to comment on this rule by

submitting such written data, views, or

arguments as they may desire.

Communications shall identify the

Rules Docket number and be submitted

in triplicate to the address specified

under the caption ADDRESSES. All

communications received on or before

the closing date for comments will be

considered, and this rule may be

amended in light of the comments

received. Factual information that

supports the commenter’s ideas and

suggestions is extremely helpful in

evaluating the effectiveness of the AD

action and determining whether

additional rulemaking action would be

needed.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the rule that might suggest a need to

modify the rule. All comments

submitted will be available, both before

and after the closing date for comments,

in the Rules Docket for examination by

interested persons. A report that

summarizes each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this AD

will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this rule must

submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 94–NM–234–AD.’’ The

postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

The regulations adopted herein will

not have substantial direct effects 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, in

accordance with Executive Order 12612,

it is determined that this final rule does

not have sufficient federalism

implications to warrant the preparation

of a Federalism Assessment.

The FAA has determined that this

regulation is an emergency regulation

that must be issued immediately to

correct an unsafe condition in aircraft,

and that it is not a ‘‘significant

regulatory action’’ under Executive

Order 12866. It has been determined

further that this action involves an

emergency regulation under DOT

Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44

FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is

determined that this emergency

regulation otherwise would be

significant under DOT Regulatory

Policies and Procedures, a final

regulatory evaluation will be prepared

and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy

of it, if filed, 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. App. 1354(a), 1421

and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 106(g); and 14 CFR

11.89.

4078 Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 13 / Friday, January 20, 1995 / Rules and Regulations

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

94–26–51 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment

39–9120. Docket 94–NM–234–AD.

Applicability: All Model MD–11 series

airplanes, 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 use the authority

provided in paragraph (d) to request approval

from the FAA. This approval may address

either no action, if the current configuration

eliminates the unsafe condition; or different

actions necessary to address the unsafe

condition described in this AD. Such a

request should include an assessment of the

effect of the changed configuration on the

unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no

case does the presence of any modification,

alteration, or repair remove any airplane from

the applicability of this AD.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless

accomplished previously.

To prevent degradation of the landing

capability of these airplanes, accomplish the

following:

(a) Within 24 hours after the effective date

of this AD, revise the Limitations Section of

the FAA-approved MD–11 Airplane Flight

Manual (AFM), page 5–3, Flight Guidance,

Automatic Landing Section, to include the

following restriction. This may be

accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD

in the AFM.

‘‘Autoland operation below 100 feet above

ground level (AGL) is prohibited. The

autopilot must be disconnected prior to

descent below 100 feet AGL.’’

(b) Accomplishment of the inspections and

tests specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2)

of this AD, in accordance with McDonnell

Douglas MD–11 Alert Service Bulletin A34–

57, dated December 19, 1994, constitutes

terminating action for the AFM revision

required by paragraph (a) of this AD.

Following accomplishment of the inspections

and tests, the AFM revision may be removed

from the AFM.

(1) Perform an inspection to determine if

the connector nut of the four coaxial

connectors on the back of the radio altimeter

receiver/transmitter is loose.

(i) If no loose nut is found, prior to further

flight, loosen the nut until finger tight,

retorque the nut to 10 to 15 inch pounds, and

mark the nut with a torque stripe. Thereafter,

repeat the inspection at intervals not to

exceed 500 hours time-in-service.

(ii) If any loose nut is found, prior to

further flight, tighten the nut to a torque of

10 to 15 inch pounds, and mark the nut with

a torque stripe. Thereafter, repeat the

inspection at intervals not to exceed 500

hours time-in-service.

Note 2: Retorque is not necessary during

repetitive inspections if the torque stripe is

in line, as specified in the alert service

bulletin.

(2) Perform a leakage indication test to

verify the integrity of the radio altimeter

antenna system. Prior to further flight, correct

any discrepancy found. Thereafter, repeat the

test at intervals not to exceed 500 hours timein-service.

(c) Within 15 days after the effective date

of this AD, install -905 flight control

computer (FCC) software in accordance with

McDonnell Douglas MD–11 Service Bulletin

22–14, dated November 30, 1994.

(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, Transport Airplane Directorate.

Operators shall submit their requests through

an appropriate FAA Principal Operations

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.

(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.

(f) The inspections, tests, and installation

shall be done in accordance with McDonnell

Douglas MD–11 Alert Service Bulletin A34–

57, dated December 19, 1994; and McDonnell

Douglas MD–11 Service Bulletin 22–14,

dated November 30, 1994. 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 McDonnell Douglas

Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach,

California 90801–1771, Attention: Business

Unit Manager, Technical Administrative

Support, Dept. L51, M.C. 2–98. Copies may

be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane

Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,

Washington; or at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 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.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on

February 6, 1995, to all persons except those

persons to whom it was made immediately

effective by telegraphic AD T94–26–51,

issued on December 19, 1994, which

contained the requirements of this

amendment.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on January

6, 1995.

Darrell M. Pederson,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 95–793 Filed 1–19–95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–U

14 CFR Part 71

[Airspace Docket No. 94–AGL–30]

Establishment of Class E Airspace;

Rantoul, IL

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This action establishes Class

E airspace to accommodate a new Very

High Frequency Omnidirectional Range

(VOR) runway 27 Standard Instrument

Approach Procedure (SIAP) at Rantoul

National Aviation Center Airport,

Rantoul, IL. Controlled airspace

extending upward from 700 to 1200 feet

above ground level (AGL) is needed for

aircraft executing the approach. The

intended effect of this action is to

provide controlled airspace for aircraft

executing the SIAP.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 0901 UTC, March 30,

1995.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jeffrey L. Griffith, Air Traffic Division,

System Management Branch, AGL–530,

Federal Aviation Administration, 2300

East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois

60018, telephone (708) 294–7568.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

History

On November 22, 1994, the FAA

proposed to amend part 71 of the

Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR

part 71) to establish Class E airspace at

Rantoul, IL (59 FR 60098). Interested

parties were invited to participate in

this rulemaking proceeding by

submitting written comments on the

proposal to the FAA. No comments

objecting to the proposal were received.

The coordinates for this airspace

docket are based on North American

Datum 83. Class E airspace designations

are published in Paragraph 6005 of FAA

Order 7400.9B dated July 18, 1994, and

effective September 16, 1994, which is

incorporated by reference in 14 CFR

71.1. The Class E airspace designation

listed in this document will be

published subsequently in the Order.

The Rule

This amendment to part 71 of the

Federal Aviation Regulations establishes

Class E airspace at Rantoul, IL, to

accommodate a new VOR runway 27

SIAP at Rantoul National Aviation

Center Airport, Rantoul, IL. Controlled

airspace extending upward from 700 to

1200 feet AGL is needed for Instrument

Flight Rules (IFR) operations in

controlled airspace during portions of

the terminal operation and while

transiting between the enroute and

terminal environments.