[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 238 (Monday, December 13, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 69389-69390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31813]
[[Page 69389]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-71-AD; Amendment 39-11457; AD 99-25-14]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-
11F 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 and MD-11F series
airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection to determine if metallic
transitions are installed on wire harnesses of the tail tank fuel
transfer pumps, and to determine if damaged wires are present; and
repair, if necessary. This amendment also would require repetitive
inspections of the repaired area; and a permanent modification of the
wire harnesses if metallic transitions are not installed, which
terminates the repetitive inspections. This amendment is prompted by a
report of chafing and damage to a wire harness of a tail tank fuel
transfer pump. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
wire chafing and damage, which could result in an inoperative fuel
transfer pump and/or an increased risk of a fire or explosion from a
fuel leak.
DATES: Effective January 18, 2000.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 18, 2000.
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, 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: Roscoe Van Dyke, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard,
Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5254; 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 and MD-11F series airplanes was published in the Federal Register
on August 10, 1999 (64 FR 43316). That action proposed to require a
one-time inspection to determine if metallic transitions are installed
on wire harnesses of the tail tank fuel transfer pumps, and to
determine if damaged wires are present; and repair, if necessary. That
action also proposed to require repetitive inspections of the repaired
area; and a permanent modification of the wire harnesses if metallic
transitions are not installed, which would terminate the repetitive
inspections.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the two comments received.
Support for the Proposal
One commenter supports the proposed rule.
Request Credit for Previously Accomplished Work
One commenter requests credit for prior accomplishment of the
proposed one-time visual inspection, temporary repairs, and repetitive
inspections of the wire harnesses of the tail tank fuel transfer pumps
in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
28A101, dated August 24, 1998.
The FAA concurs that an initial inspection, temporary repairs, and
repetitive inspections accomplished prior to the effective date of this
AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
28A101, dated August 24, 1998, is acceptable for compliance with those
requirements. However, the FAA notes that operators are always given
credit for work accomplished previously if the work is performed in
accordance with the existing AD by means of the phrase in the
compliance section of the AD that states, ``Required as indicated,
unless accomplished previously.'' Therefore no change to the final rule
is necessary in this regard.
Conclusion
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 as proposed.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 14 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 5 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 inspection, and that the
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
cost impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $300, or $60 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
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 labor costs
associated with accomplishing the actions required by this AD.
Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on U.S.
operators may be less than the cost impact figure indicated above.
Regulatory Impact
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
[[Page 69390]]
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:
99-25-14 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11457. Docket 99-NM-71-AD.
Applicability: Model MD-11 and MD-11F series airplanes, as
listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A101,
dated August 24, 1998, 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 wire chafing and damage which could result in an
inoperative tail tank fuel transfer pump and/or an increased risk of
a fire or explosion from a fuel leak, accomplish the following:
Inspection and Corrective Actions
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
a one-time visual inspection of the wire harnesses of the tail tank
fuel transfer pumps to determine if metallic transitions are
installed, and to determine if damaged wires are present, in
accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
28A101, dated August 24, 1998.
(1) If all metallic transitions are installed, no further action
is required by this AD.
(2) If metallic transitions are not installed, accomplish the
following:
(i) Prior to further flight, accomplish the temporary repair in
accordance with condition 2 of the service bulletin;
(ii) Repeat the visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to
exceed 2 years; and
(iii) Within 5 years after the effective date of this AD,
permanently modify the wire harnesses in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28-102, Revision 01, dated June 23,
1999. Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating
action for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD.
Note 2: Modification of the wire harnesses accomplished prior to
the effective date of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas
Service Bulletin MD11-28-102, dated January 29, 1999, is considered
acceptable for compliance with the modification required by
paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this AD.
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 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 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.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A101, dated August 24, 1998,
or McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28-102, Revision 01,
dated June 23, 1999, as applicable. 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, 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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on January 18, 2000.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 2, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-31813 Filed 12-10-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
