[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 46 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9098-9100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-5080]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-NM-37-AD; Amendment 39-9530; AD 96-05-04]
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes.
This action requires the installation of a control cable guard to
separate the flight control cables from the electrical wiring of the
aft left cabin attendant console. This amendment is prompted by reports
of burnt electrical wire cable in the cabin attendant console that was
caused by chafing of the wire cable against certain flight control
cables. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent
chafing of these wire cables, which could result in a fire hazard or
damage to critical flight control cables.
DATES: Effective March 22, 1996.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of March 22, 1996.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before May 6, 1996.
[[Page 9099]]
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 96-NM-37-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056.
The service information referenced in this AD may be obtained from
McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach,
California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business
Administration, Department 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, 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Portwood, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712; telephone (310) 627-5347; fax (310) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA has received a report from an
operator of McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, indicating
that a burnt electrical wire cable was found in the cabin attendant's
console located at door 4 left. Investigation has revealed that the
electrical wiring of the cabin attendant console was damaged due to
intermittent rubbing (chafing) between the wiring and one or both of
the control cables of the rudder and horizontal stabilizer. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in a wiring short, which
could lead to a fire. It also could result in damage to the control
cable of the rudder or the horizontal stabilizer. Further, it could
result in damage to and disabling of the evacuation warning system
signaling system (EVAC).
McDonnell Douglas has issued Service Bulletin MD11-27-051, dated
December 9, 1995, which describes procedures for installing a guard to
separate the flight control cables from the electrical wiring of the
aft left cabin attendant console. Installation of this guard will
prevent the rubbing (chafing) condition and will minimize the
possibility of a wiring short.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is
being issued to prevent chafing of the electrical wire cables in the
aft left cabin attendant console against the flight control cables,
which could lead to a fire hazard or damage to the control cables of
the rudder or the horizontal stabilizer. This AD requires installation
of a guard to separate the flight control cables and the electrical
wiring of the aft left cabin attendant console. This action is required
to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described
previously.
None of the Model MD-11 series airplanes affected by this action
are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability
of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign
registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action.
However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that
the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these
subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the
future.
Should an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S.
Register in the future, it would require approximately 2 work hours to
accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per
work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $1,534 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be $1,654 per
airplane.
Since this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently
on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no
additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and public
procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not
preceded by notice and 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 96-NM-37-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.
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 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.
[[Page 9100]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
96-05-04 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9530. Docket 96-NM-37-AD.
Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, having
manufacturer's Fuselage Number 0458, 0459, 0460, 0463, 0464, 0465,
0472, 0473, 0477, 0484, 0487, 0494, 0498, 0502, 0509, 0533, 0570,
and 0571; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
otherwise 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 chafing of the electrical wiring of the aft left
cabin attendant console, which could lead to a potential fire hazard
or damage to critical flight control cables, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, install
a control cable guard in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service
Bulletin MD11-27-051, dated December 19, 1995.
(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 compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
(c) 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.
(d) The installation shall be done in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-27-051, dated December 19, 1995. 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, 3855
Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention:
Technical Publications Business Administration, Department 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 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.
(e) This amendment becomes effective on March 22, 1996.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 28, 1996.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-5080 Filed 3-6-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
