94-1465. Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 59, Number 19 (Friday, January 28, 1994)]
    [Unknown Section]
    [Page ]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 94-1465]
    
    
    [Federal Register: January 28, 1994]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 93-NM-67-AD; Amendment 39-8805; AD 94-02-07]
    
    
    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 replacing the anti-skid control unit. This amendment is 
    prompted by three reports of failure of the center landing gear drag 
    link, after which the center landing gear swung aft and struck the 
    fuselage. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
    failure of the center landing gear drag link, which could result in 
    extensive damage to the fuselage structure.
    
    DATES: Effective February 28, 1994. The incorporation by reference of 
    certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the 
    Director of the Federal Register as of February 28, 1994.
    
    ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
    obtained from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach, 
    California 90801-1771, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical 
    Publications--Technical Administrative Support, C1-L5B. 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, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
    Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, 
    Long Beach, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 
    North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Gfrerer, Aerospace Engineer, 
    Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-131L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
    Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East 
    Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-
    5338; fax (310) 988-5210.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
    Aviation Regulations 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 16, 1993 (58 FR 38321). 
    That action proposed to require replacing the anti-skid control unit.
        Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
    in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
    the comments received.
        One commenter supports the proposal.
        One commenter suggests that the proposed AD action is inappropriate 
    for two reasons:
        1. Drag link failures occur only with the use of autobraking. 
    Therefore, if only manual brakes are used, there should be no 
    requirement to modify the anti-skid control unit.
        2. Failure of the center landing gear drag link does not pose 
    sufficient risk to the airframe to warrant AD action.
        The FAA does not concur with the commenter's suggestion that this 
    AD action is not warranted. As for the commenter's Item 1, the FAA 
    points out that there has been at least one case of failure of the 
    center gear with the application of manual brakes prior to touchdown of 
    the nose gear wheel. By replacing the Part Number (P/N) 6005304-1 
    control unit with the P/N 6005304-2 unit (as required by this AD), 
    center gear braking is inhibited both manually and through the use of 
    autobrakes until nose gear touchdown.
        As for the commenter's Item 2, the FAA notes that there have been 
    at least three in-service failures of center landing gear drag links 
    that have caused significant structural damage to the airplane. In each 
    occurrence, the failed drag link allowed the center landing gear to 
    swing aft and strike the fuselage. Additionally, there are numerous 
    other possible scenarios involving similar failures that could result 
    in damage to the hydraulic and electrical systems of the airplane. The 
    center landing gear is also needed to properly distribute the 
    airplane's weight for heavy weight landings. For these reasons, the FAA 
    considers that failure of the center landing gear drag link does 
    present an unsafe condition sufficient to warrant mandated corrective 
    action. The appropriate vehicle for mandating such corrective action is 
    the airworthiness directive.
        Two commenters request that the proposed compliance time of 9 
    months be extended to 12 months. The manufacturer has indicated that 
    the fleet of affected Model MD-11's could not be retrofitted within 9 
    months, given the current schedule of modifying the subject part on a 
    rotatable basis and the capacity of the manufacturer to modify the 
    control units. The FAA concurs with the commenter's request. Extending 
    the compliance time an additional 3 months will not adversely affect 
    safety and will allow the affected fleet to be modified in an orderly 
    manner, thereby minimizing the costs associated with special airplane 
    scheduling. Paragraph (a) of the final rule has been revised to specify 
    a compliance time of 12 months.
        One commenter requests that the wording of references to the anti-
    skid control unit be clarified. The preamble to the notice referred to 
    ``the anti-skid control unit for the center landing gear;'' however, 
    this control unit controls all of the landing gears, not just the 
    center landing gear. The FAA agrees that clarification of this point is 
    needed and, where appropriate, has changed the wording in this final 
    rule accordingly.
        After careful review of the available data, including the comments 
    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.
        There are approximately 86 McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series 
    airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA 
    estimates that 32 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this 
    AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to 
    accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $55 
    per work hour. Required parts will be provided by the manufacturer at 
    no cost to the operator. Based on these figures, the total cost impact 
    of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,760, or $55 per 
    airplane. This total cost figure assumes that no operator has yet 
    accomplished the requirements of this AD.
        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.
        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 14 CFR part 
    39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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.
    
    
    Sec. 39.13  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
    airworthiness directive:
    
    94-02-07 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-8805. Docket 93-NM-67-AD.
    
        Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in 
    McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Service Bulletin 32-30, dated March 3, 1993; 
    certificated in any category.
        Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
    previously.
        To prevent potential failure of the center gear drag link, which 
    could lead to extensive damage to the fuselage structure, accomplish 
    the following:
        (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
    replace the anti-skid control unit, part number 6005304-1, with a 
    new anti-skid control unit, part number 6005304-2, in accordance 
    with McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Service Bulletin 32-30, dated March 3, 
    1993.
        (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 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: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
    
        (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 
    21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the 
    requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
        (d) The replacement shall be done in accordance with McDonnell 
    Douglas MD-11 Service Bulletin 32-30, dated March 3, 1993. 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 Publications--Technical Administrative 
    Support, C1-L5B. 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, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, 
    California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
    Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
        (e) This amendment becomes effective on February 28, 1994.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 14, 1994.
    John J. Hickey,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 94-1465 Filed 1-27-94; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
2/28/1994
Published:
01/28/1994
Department:
Transportation Department
Entry Type:
Uncategorized Document
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
94-1465
Dates:
Effective February 28, 1994. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of February 28, 1994.
Pages:
0-0 (None pages)
Docket Numbers:
Federal Register: January 28, 1994, Docket No. 93-NM-67-AD, Amendment 39-8805, AD 94-02-07
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13