[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 77 (Thursday, April 22, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19693-19695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-9735]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-43-AD; Amendment 39-11134; AD 99-09-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
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) that
is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series
airplanes. This action requires relocating the support bracket and
rerouting the electrical wiring in the aft storage compartment drop
ceiling structure. This amendment is prompted by an incident in which a
burning odor was detected, and the rear galley power repeatedly tripped
off line during flight of an in-service airplane, due to the sense
wiring of the galley load control unit (GLCU) chafing against the
support bracket. The actions specified in this AD are intended to
prevent chafing of the sense wire of the GLCU due to the location of
the support bracket of the aft drop ceiling, which could result in
electrical arcing, smoke, and possible fire in the aft drop ceiling
area of the passenger compartments.
DATES: Effective May 7, 1999.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 7, 1999.
[[Page 19694]]
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before June 21, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-43-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington 98055-4056.
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 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Portwood, Aerospace Engineer,
ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft
Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California
90712; telephone (562) 627-5350; fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 an incident in which a
burning odor was detected, and the rear galley power repeatedly tripped
off line. This incident occurred on a McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11
series airplane during flight.
Investigation revealed that the sense wiring of the galley load
control unit (GLCU) located in the aft drop ceiling of the passenger
compartments chafed against the light ballast; consequently, the wiring
shorted. The cause of such chafing has been attributed to the location
of the support bracket of the aft drop ceiling. (This incident is 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.)
The location of the support bracket of the aft drop ceiling could
cause chafing of the sense wire of the GLCU, which could result in
electrical arcing, smoke, and possible fire in the aft drop ceiling
area of the passenger compartments.
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 airworthiness directive
(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 MD11-33A061, December 21, 1998, which describes procedures for
relocating the support bracket and rerouting the electrical wiring in
the aft storage compartment drop ceiling structure. Accomplishment of
the actions specified in the alert service bulletin is intended to
adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series
airplanes of the same type design, this AD is being issued to prevent
chafing of the sense wire of the GLCU due to the location of the
support bracket of the aft drop ceiling, which could result in
electrical arcing, smoke, and possible fire in the aft drop ceiling
area of the passenger compartments. This AD requires relocating the
support bracket and rerouting the electrical wiring in the aft storage
compartment drop ceiling structure. The actions are required to be
accomplished in accordance with the alert service bulletin described
previously.
Differences Between the AD and the Referenced Alert Service
Bulletin
Operators should note that, although the alert service bulletin
recommends accomplishing the relocation and reroute within 6 months
(after the release of the service bulletin), the FAA has determined
that an interval of 6 months would not address the identified unsafe
condition in a timely manner. In developing an appropriate compliance
time for this AD, the FAA considered not only the manufacturer's
recommendation, but the degree of urgency associated with addressing
the subject unsafe condition, the average utilization of the affected
fleet, and the time necessary to perform the relocation and reroute
(two work hours). In light of all of these factors, the FAA finds a 60-
day compliance time for initiating the required actions to be
warranted, in that it represents an appropriate interval of time
allowable for affected airplanes to continue to operate without
compromising safety.
Determination of Rule's Effective Date
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for
making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
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 99-NM-43-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship between the
[[Page 19695]]
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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
99-09-02 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11134. Docket 99-NM-43-AD.
Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, manufacturer's
fuselage numbers 0577, 0579, 0581, 0582, 0584, and 0586;
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD is applicable only to convertible freighters.
Note 2: 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 chafing of the sense wire of the galley load control
unit (GLCU) due to the location of the support bracket of the aft
drop ceiling, which could result in electrical arcing, smoke, and
possible fire in the aft drop ceiling area of the passenger
compartments, accomplish the following:
Modification
(a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, relocate
the support bracket and reroute the electrical wiring in the aft
storage compartment drop ceiling structure, in accordance with
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A061, dated December
21, 1998.
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
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.
Incorporation by Reference
(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A061, dated December 21, 1998.
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 May 7, 1999.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 13, 1999.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-9735 Filed 4-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
