[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 27, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57820-57822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27945]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-172-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model
MD-11 series airplanes. This proposal would require modification of the
battery ground cable installation in the center accessory compartment.
This proposal is prompted by reports of battery ground studs that had
arced due to loose ground stud attachments. The actions specified by
the proposed AD are intended to prevent such arcing, which could cause
smoke and/or fire in the center accessory compartment.
DATES: Comments must be received by December 13, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-172-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Portwood, Technical Specialist,
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:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed 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 above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 99-NM-172-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 99-NM-172-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
As part of its practice of re-examining all aspects of the service
experience of a particular aircraft whenever an accident occurs, the
FAA has become aware of battery ground studs that had arced on
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. The cause of arcing of
the battery ground studs has been attributed to loose ground stud
attachments. This condition, if not corrected, could cause smoke and/or
fire in the center accessory compartment.
These incidents are not considered to be related to an accident
that occurred off the coast of Nova Scotia involving a McDonnell
Douglas Model MD-11 series airplane. The cause of that accident is
still under investigation.
[[Page 57821]]
Other Related Rulemaking
The FAA, in conjunction with Boeing and operators of Model MD-11
series airplanes, is continuing to review all aspects of the service
history of those airplanes to identify potential unsafe conditions and
to take appropriate corrective actions. This proposed AD is one of a
series of actions identified during that process. The process is
continuing and the FAA may consider additional rulemaking actions as
further results of the review become available.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service
Bulletin MD11-24A141, dated May 17, 1999, and Revision 01, dated August
23, 1999, which describes procedures for modifying the battery ground
cable installation in the center accessory compartment. This
modification includes: modifying, reidentifying, and installing a
bracket assembly; trimming of a name plate; plugging open holes;
installing a support assembly and clamp; and connecting the battery
ground cable with improved attachments. Accomplishment of the actions
specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the
identified unsafe condition.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the actions specified in
the service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 142 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 30 airplanes of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately
3 work hours per airplane (for Option 1; bracket assembly modification)
or 2 work hours per airplane (for Option 2; bracket assembly
replacement) to accomplish the proposed AD, and that the average labor
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately
$1,204 per airplane for Option 1, or $2,115 per airplane for Option 2.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S.
operators for Option 1 is estimated to be $41,520, or $1,384 per
airplane. The cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators for
Option 2 is estimated to be $67,050, or $2,235 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements
of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions
in the future if this AD were not adopted. However, the FAA has been
advised that manufacturer warranty remedies are available for some
labor costs associated with accomplishing the proposed actions.
Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on U.S.
operators may be less than the cost impact figures indicated above.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
McDonnell Douglas: Docket 99-NM-172-AD.
Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A141, Revision 01,
dated August 23, 1999; 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 arcing of the battery ground studs, which could cause
smoke and/or fire in the center accessory compartment, accomplish
the following:
(a) For airplanes on which McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin
MD11-24-090, dated August, 28, 1997; Revision 1, dated June 10,
1998; or Revision 2, dated May 17, 1999; has not been accomplished:
Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the
modification of the battery ground cable installation in the center
accessory compartment specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of
this AD, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin
MD11-24A141, dated May 17, 1999, or Revision 01, dated August 23,
1999.
(1) Option 1 (Bracket Assembly Modification). Modify,
reidentify, and install a modified bracket assembly; trim the
nameplate; plug open holes; install the support assembly and clamp;
and connect the battery ground cable with improved attachments.
(2) Option 2 (Bracket Assembly Replacement). Install a new
bracket assembly; plug open holes; install the support assembly and
clamp; and connect the battery ground cable with improved
attachments.
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), 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
[[Page 57822]]
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
Secs. 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 20, 1999.
D. L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27945 Filed 10-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
