[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 5, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7318]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: April 5, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 93-NM-179-AD; Amendment 39-8865; AD 94-07-07]
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-
11F 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
airplanes, that requires modification of the fuel crossfeed low level
dump system shutoff. This amendment is prompted by an FAA determination
that, in the event of a failure of the number 2 bus tie relay and the
subsequent loss of the number 2 electrical power source, an all-engine
flameout event could occur due to fuel starvation during or shortly
after a fuel dumping operation. The actions specified by this AD are
intended to prevent loss of the fuel dump system shutoff due to a
failure of the number 2 DC bus electrical relay and the subsequent loss
of the number 2 electrical power source.
DATES: Effective May 5, 1994.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 5, 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
Administrative Support, Department L51, M.C. 2-98. This information may
be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at 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: Raymond Vakili, Aerospace Engineer,
Propulsion Branch, ANM-141L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long
Beach, California 90806-2425; telephone (310) 988-5262; 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 and MD-11F
airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on December 9, 1993
(58 FR 64708). That action proposed to require modification of the fuel
crossfeed low level dump system shutoff.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the comments received.
Several commenters support the proposed rule.
One commenter requests that the proposed compliance time of 15
months to modify the fuel crossfeed low level dump system shutoff be
extended to 24 months to coincide with regularly scheduled ``C''
checks. The commenter states that a compliance time of 24 months would
allow operators some latitude to schedule the accomplishment of this
modification. The FAA concurs with the commenter's request to extend
the compliance time for the modification requirement so that the
modification can be performed at a maintenance base during regularly
scheduled maintenance where special equipment and trained maintenance
personnel will be available if necessary. Extending the compliance time
by 9 additional months will not adversely affect safety since the
interim procedures [via a revision to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)]
required by AD 92-22-06, Amendment 39-8392 (57 FR 47570, October 19,
1992) will detect electrical malfunctions that may render the automatic
fuel dump termination feature inoperative. Therefore, paragraph (a) of
the final rule has been revised to specify a compliance time of 24
months.
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 change previously
described. The FAA has determined that this change will neither
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of
the AD.
There are approximately 98 McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F
airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA
estimates that 43 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this
AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to
accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $55
per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $5,688 per
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $258,774, or $6,018 per airplane.
The total 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.
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:
94-07-07 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-8865. Docket 93-NM-179-AD.
Applicability: Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes having
manufacturer's fuselage numbers 447 through 544 inclusive,
certificated in any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent loss of the fuel dump system shutoff due to a failure
of the number 2 DC bus electrical relay and the subsequent loss of
the number 2 electrical power source, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, modify
the fuel crossfeed low level dump system shutoff in accordance with
McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Service Bulletin 28-48, dated September 30,
1993. Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating
action for the revisions to the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)
required by paragraph (a) of AD 92-22-06, Amendment 39-8392.
(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: 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
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the
airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be
accomplished.
(d) The modification shall be done in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas MD-11 Service Bulletin 28-48, dated September 30, 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 Administrative Support, Department L51, M.C.
2-98. 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 May 5, 1994.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 23, 1994.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 94-7318 Filed 4-4-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
