[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 31, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47438-47440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-22530]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 31, 1999 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 47438]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-167-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of two existing
airworthiness directives (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas
Model MD-11 series airplanes, that currently require inspections in the
lower center cargo compartment at frame 1681 to verify that a certain
bracket and a certain open face nylon clamp were installed to a
specific wire bundle support and to detect damage of the subject wire
bundle; and corrective actions, if necessary. Those AD's were prompted
by an incident in which the insulation blanket in the lower center
cargo compartment was found to be burnt due to a missing wiring harness
support bracket/clamp on a wire bundle. This action would require a
similar inspection and corrective actions required by the existing AD's
and would remove certain airplanes from the applicability of the
existing AD's. This action also would add a requirement to install a
wire assembly support bracket, clamp, and spacer, or revise the wire
assembly support bracket and clamp installation; as applicable. The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent sparks,
smoke, and possible fire in the lower center cargo compartment.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 15, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-167-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Portwood, Aerospace Engineer,
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5350;
fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed 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 above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 99-NM-167-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 99-NM-167-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On April 15, 1999, the FAA issued AD 99-08-51, amendment 39-11138
(64 FR 22544, April 27, 1999), which is applicable to certain McDonnell
Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. (These airplanes are equipped
with a 72-inch cargo door and use the light-weight cargo handling
system.) That AD requires visual inspections under the floorboards in
the lower center cargo compartment at frame 1681 to verify that a
certain bracket and a certain open face nylon clamp are installed to a
specific support wire bundle and to detect damage of the subject wire
bundle; repair of damaged wiring; and installation of certain silicone
rubber coated with a glass cloth protective wrap around the wire
bundle, if necessary. That action was prompted by an incident in which
the insulation blanket between frames 1661 and 1681 in the lower center
cargo compartment was found to be burnt due to a missing wiring harness
support bracket/clamp on the wire bundle at frame 1681. The
requirements of that AD are intended to ensure that such a wire harness
support bracket/clamp is installed; a missing bracket/clamp could cause
the wire bundle to chafe against the frame, which could result in
sparks, smoke, and possible fire in the lower center cargo compartment.
After issuance of AD 99-08-51, the FAA determined that the wire
routing on McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes that are
equipped with a 72-inch cargo door and use any cargo handling system
must also be inspected. Therefore, on April 23, 1999, the FAA issued a
similar action [i.e., AD 99-09-51, amendment 39-11154 (64 FR 23179,
April 30, 1999)], to address these
[[Page 47439]]
additional airplanes that were not included in the applicability of AD
99-08-51.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
Since the issuance of AD 99-08-51 and AD 99-09-51, the FAA has
determined that inspecting the wire assembly, structure, and blankets
for evidence of arcing and chafing damage; and installing a support,
clamp, and spacer, or revising the existing support installation to add
a spacer; will further minimize the possibility of wire chafing.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service
Bulletin MD11-24A155, dated June 1, 1999. The service bulletin
describes procedures for an inspection of the wire assembly, structure,
and blankets for evidence of arcing burns and chafing damage under the
center cargo compartment floor; installation of protective sleeving on
the wire assembly in the area of the frame; and corrective actions, if
necessary. The corrective actions involve repairing damaged wire and
structure; and repairing or replacing the damaged blanket with a new
blanket. For certain airplanes, the service bulletin also describes
procedures for installation of a wire assembly support bracket, clamp,
and spacer. For certain other airplanes, the service bulletin also
describes procedures for revising the wire assembly support bracket and
clamp installation. In addition, the service bulletin describes
procedures for submitting a report of the inspection results to Boeing.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would supersede AD 99-08-51 and AD 99-09-51 to require
accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin
described previously, except as discussed below.
Differences Between the Proposed AD and Relevant Service
Information
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A155, dated June 1,
1999, specifies that certain corrective actions required by this
proposed AD may be accomplished in accordance with ``operator's shop
practice.'' However, this proposed AD requires that the actions be
accomplished in accordance with the procedures specified in ``Chapter
25 of the Aircraft Maintenance Manual.'' An ``operator's shop
practice'' may be used only if approved as an alternative method of
compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD.
Operators should note that although the referenced service bulletin
recommends that operators submit a report of the inspection results to
Boeing, this proposed AD does not require such reporting. As a result
of the reporting requirements in AD's 99-08-51 and 99-09-51, the FAA
has received an adequate amount of inspection reports from operators to
identify the affected aircraft configurations and determine the proper
corrective action.
Explanation of Changes to the Applicability
Operators also should note that the applicability of the proposed
AD differs from the applicability of AD's 99-08-51 and 99-09-51.
Subsequent to issuance of AD 99-08-51, one of the affected airplanes
was involved in a hull loss accident. Subsequent to issuance of AD 99-
09-51, investigation revealed that twelve early production aircraft had
adequate wire routing such that the potential for wire assembly chafing
was adequately minimized. Therefore, these airplanes have been removed
from the applicability of this proposed AD.
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 proposed 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.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 183 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 63 airplanes of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD.
It would take approximately 1 work hour to accomplish the proposed
inspection, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the inspection proposed by this AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,780, or $60 per airplane.
It would take approximately 1 work hour to accomplish the proposed
modification, at an average labor rate of $60 per work hour. The cost
of required parts would be nominal. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the modification proposed by this AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $3,780, or $60 per airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or proposed
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 some labor costs associated with accomplishing the proposed
actions. Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on
U.S. operators may be less than the cost impact figures indicated
above.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as
follows:
[[Page 47440]]
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 removing amendment 39-11138 (64 FR
22544, April 27, 1999) and amendment 39-11154 (64 FR 23179, April 30,
1999), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), to read as
follows:
McDonnell Douglas: Docket 99-NM-167-AD. Supersedes AD 99-08-51,
amendment 39-11138; and AD 99-09-51, amendment 39-11154.
Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A155, dated June 1,
1999; 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 (c) 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 sparks, smoke and possible fire in the lower center
cargo compartment, accomplish the following:
Phase 1: Inspection and Corrective Actions
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform
an inspection of the wire assembly, structure, and blankets for
evidence of arcing burns and chafing damage under the center cargo
compartment floor, in accordance with Phase 1 of the Work
Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A155, dated June 1, 1999.
(1) Condition 1. If no arcing or chafing damage is detected,
prior to further flight, install protective sleeving on the wire
assembly in the area of the frame in accordance with the service
bulletin.
(2) Condition 2. If any damaged wire, structure, or blanket is
detected, prior to further flight, accomplish the actions specified
in paragraphs (a)(2)(i), (a)(2)(ii), and (a)(2)(iii) of this AD.
(i) Repair damaged wire and structure in accordance with the
service bulletin.
(ii) Repair or replace any damaged blanket with a new blanket,
in accordance with Chapter 25 of the Aircraft Maintenance Manual;
however, insulation blankets made of metallized
polyethyleneteraphthalate (MPET) may not be used.
(iii) Install protective sleeving on the wire assembly in the
area of the frame in accordance with the service bulletin.
Note 2: Accomplishment of the actions required by AD 99-08-51,
amendment 39-11138, and AD 99-09-51, amendment 39-11154, prior to
the effective date of this AD is considered acceptable for
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
Phase 2: Modification
(b) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish the actions specified in paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of
this AD, as applicable, in accordance with Phase 2 of the Work
Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
24A155, dated June 1, 1999.
(1) For airplanes identified as Group 1 in the service bulletin:
Install the wire assembly support bracket, clamp, and spacer.
(2) For airplanes identified as Group 2 in the service bulletin:
Revise the wire assembly support bracket and clamp installation.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(c) 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
(d) 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 24, 1999.
Vi L. Lipski,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-22530 Filed 8-30-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
