02-17532. Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, that requires installing a clipnut and bracket and revising the routing of the wire assembly of the forward lower cargo door. This action is necessary to prevent failure of the wire assemblies and damage of a ballast of a light fixture, and consequent smoke and/or fire in the forward cargo compartment. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective August 23, 2002.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of August 23, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

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: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, 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:

Technical Information: Brett Portwood, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

Other Information: Sandi Carli, Airworthiness Directive Technical Writer/Editor; telephone [phone], fax [phone]. Questions or comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: [e-mail]. Questions or comments sent via the Internet as attached electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII text.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 5, 2001 (66 FR 50873). That action proposed to require installing a clipnut and bracket and revising the routing of the wire assembly of the forward lower cargo door.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the comments received.

Request To Revise the Cost Impact

One commenter, the airplane manufacturer, notes that the Cost Impact section of the proposed AD states, “The manufacturer has committed previously to its customers that it will bear the cost of replacement parts.” The commenter states that this is not quite accurate. The commenter notes that in “2.B. Industry Support Information” of the referenced service bulletin (i.e., Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-52A035, Revision 02, dated March 12, 2001), it states, “Boeing warranty remedies are available for airplanes in warranty as of February 5, 1997.”

The FAA infers that the commenter is requesting that the Cost Impact section be revised to correctly address warranty remedies. We concur. We have revised the final rule to specify the cost of the required parts and to clarify that required parts will be provided at no charge for affected airplanes within the warranty period.

Request To Revise Incorrect Service Bulletin Reference

One commenter requests that a typographical error be corrected in Note 2 of the proposed AD. The commenter states the correct service bulletin reference should be “MD11-52-035,” not “MD11-52-034.” The FAA concurs and has revised the final rule accordingly.

Explanation of Change to Applicability

The FAA finds that Model MD-11F airplanes were not specifically identified by model name in the applicability of the proposed AD. However, those airplanes are identified by manufacturer's fuselage numbers in the effectivity listing of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-52A035, Revision 02, dated March 12, 2001, which was referenced in the applicability of the proposed AD. Therefore, we have revised this AD to specifically reference Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes where appropriate. In addition, the FAA has revised the applicability of the existing AD to identify model designations as published in the most recent type certificate data sheet for the affected models.

Conclusion

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 changes previously described. The FAA has determined that these changes will neither increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of the AD.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 157 Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 61 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. The cost of required parts will be nominal. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,320, or $120 per airplane.

The 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 cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions. However, for affected airplanes within the period under the warranty agreement, the FAA has been advised that the manufacturer has committed previously to its customers that it will bear the cost of replacement parts.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct effect 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, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2002-14-13 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12813. Docket 2001-NM-158-AD.

Applicability: Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-52A035, Revision 02, dated March 12, 2001; 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 (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 failure of the wire assemblies and damage of a ballast of a light fixture, and consequent smoke and/or fire in the forward cargo compartment, accomplish the following:

Installation of Clipnut and Bracket and Revision of Routing of Wiring

(a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, install a clipnut and bracket and revise the routing of the wire assembly of the forward lower cargo door, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-52A035, Revision 02, dated March 12, 2001.

Note 2:

Accomplishment of the actions specified in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-52-035, Revision 01, dated March 9, 1998, before the effective date of this AD, is considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD.

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. 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 Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-52A035, Revision 02, dated March 12, 2001. 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: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). 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, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

(e) This amendment becomes effective on August 23, 2002.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 2, 2002.

Jeffrey E. Duven,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.