95-18586. Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 60, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 2, 1995)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 39245-39247]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 95-18586]
    
    
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 95-NM-123-AD; Amendment 39-9324; AD 95-16-05]
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series 
    Airplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
    is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series 
    airplanes. This action requires an inspection to identify defective 
    lower drag links on the nose landing gear (NLG), and replacement of 
    defective drag links with new parts. This amendment is prompted by a 
    report indicating that a potential failure condition of the lower drag 
    link on the NLG could occur due to improper de-embrittlement treatment 
    of the drag link during manufacturing. The actions specified in this AD 
    are intended to prevent collapse of the NLG due to failure of the lower 
    drag link as a result of improper de-embrittlement treatment of the 
    drag link.
    
    DATES: Effective August 17, 1995.
    
        The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
    the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
    of August 17, 1995.
        Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
    before October 2, 1995.
    
    ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
    Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-103, 
    Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-NM-123-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: Wahib Mina, Aerospace Engineer, 
    Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification 
    Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone 
    (310) 627-5324; fax (310) 627-5210.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA received a report indicating that a 
    potential failure condition exists relative to the lower drag link 
    (assembly part number ACG7208-507 and detail part number ACG7208-17) of 
    the nose landing gear (NLG) installed on McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 
    series airplanes. This condition is the result of improper de-
    embrittlement treatment of a certain batch of drag links during 
    manufacturing. The discrepant drag links are identifiable by serial 
    number. Failure of the lower drag link on the NLG, if not corrected, 
    could result in collapse of the NLG.
        The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service 
    Bulletin MD11-32A058, dated June 30, 1995, which describes procedures 
    for a one-time visual inspection to identify defective lower drag links 
    on the NLG, and replacement of defective drag links with new parts. The 
    inspection involves identifying the serial number of the lower drag 
    links. Replacement of any defective drag link found will minimize the 
    possibility of failure of the lower drag link and subsequent collapse 
    of the NLG.
        Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
    exist or develop on other Model MD-11 series airplanes of the same type 
    design, this AD is being issued to prevent collapse of the NLG due to 
    failure of the lower drag link on the NLG.
        This AD requires a one-time visual inspection to identify defective 
    lower drag links on the NLG, and replacement of defective drag links 
    with new parts. The actions are required to be accomplished in 
    accordance with the alert service bulletin described previously.
        This AD also requires that operators submit a report of inspection 
    results to the FAA.
        This AD requires that the inspection be accomplished within 120 
    days. A compliance time of 120 days is usually sufficient to provide 
    for a brief period for public comment before the adoption of a final 
    rule. In this AD, however, that compliance time was selected because 
    
    [[Page 39246]]
    of a short-term problem with availability of sufficient replacement 
    parts if defective parts are found; a shorter compliance time might 
    have resulted in the unnecessary removal of airplanes from service 
    pending delivery of replacement parts. Nevertheless, the FAA has 
    determined that immediate adoption of this rule is necessary in this 
    case because of the importance of initiating the required inspection 
    and eliminating the discrepant parts from the fleet as soon as 
    possible.
        As a result of recent communications with the Air Transport 
    Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general, 
    some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes 
    that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that 
    have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA 
    points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision 
    of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered 
    or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance 
    with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval 
    for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with 
    the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has 
    been included in this rule to clarify this long-standing requirement.
        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 95-NM-123-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.
        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 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.
    
    
    Sec. 39.13  [Amended]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
    airworthiness directive:
    95-16-05  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-9324. Docket 95-NM-123-AD.
    
        Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, manufacturer's 
    fuselage numbers 0447 through 0527 inclusive, 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 use the authority 
    provided in paragraph (d) of this AD to request approval from the 
    FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
    configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions 
    necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
    a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
    configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
    case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
    remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.
    
        Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
    previously.
        To prevent collapse of the nose landing gear (NLG) due to 
    failure of the lower drag link on the NLG, accomplish the following:
        (a) Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD, perform 
    a visual inspection to identify the serial number of the lower drag 
    link (assembly part number ACG7208-507 and detail part number 
    ACG7208-17) on the NLG, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert 
    Service Bulletin MD11-32A058, dated June 30, 1995. Prior to further 
    flight, replace any lower drag link having a serial number 
    identified in Figure 1 of the alert service bulletin with a new part 
    having a serial number other than those identified in Figure 1 of 
    the alert service bulletin. Perform the replacement in accordance 
    with the alert service bulletin.
        (b) Within 10 days after accomplishing the inspection required 
    by this AD, report inspection results, positive or negative, to the 
    Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 
    Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, 
    California 90712; fax (310) 627-5210. Information collection 
    requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the 
    Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the 
    Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have 
    been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
        (c) After the effective date of this AD, no person shall install 
    on the NLG of any airplane a lower drag link (assembly part number 
    ACG7208-507 and detail part number ACG7208-17) having a serial 
    number identified in Figure 1 of McDonnell Douglas 
    
    [[Page 39247]]
    Alert Service Bulletin MD11-32A058, dated June 30, 1995.
        (d) 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 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.
    
        (e) 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.
        (f) The inspection and replacement shall be done in accordance 
    with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-32A058, dated 
    June 30, 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.
    
        (g) This amendment becomes effective on August 17, 1995.
    
        Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 24, 1995.
    Darrell M. Pederson,
    Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
    Service.
    [FR Doc. 95-18586 Filed 8-1-95; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
8/17/1995
Published:
08/02/1995
Department:
Transportation Department
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule; request for comments.
Document Number:
95-18586
Dates:
Effective August 17, 1995.
Pages:
39245-39247 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 95-NM-123-AD, Amendment 39-9324, AD 95-16-05
PDF File:
95-18586.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13