03-31196. Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, that currently requires an inspection to detect chafing or damage of the electrical wires leading to the terminal strips in the center accessory compartment (CAC) area, and corrective actions if necessary. That AD also currently requires revising the wire connection stack up of certain cable terminals at the electrical power center bays in the CAC, and replacing certain terminal strips with new strips and removing applicable nameplates at electrical power center bays. This amendment requires additional actions for improving the terminal strips and revises the applicability of the existing AD to include additional airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent arcing and sparking damage to the power feeder cables, terminal strips, and adjacent structure, and consequent smoke and fire in the CAC. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective January 27, 2004.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of January 27, 2004.

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:

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 [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) by superseding AD 2000-24-12, amendment 39-12019 (65 FR 75615, December 4, 2000), which is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, was published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2003 (68 FR 43695). For certain airplanes, the action proposed to require revising the wire connection stack up of the cable terminals at the electrical power center bays in the center accessory compartment (CAC), as applicable; doing a one-time general visual inspection of the surrounding structure and electrical cables for chafing or damage; replacing terminal strips; removing the applicable nameplate at the electrical power center bays 1, 2, and 3 in the CAC; and doing a general visual inspection of the surrounding structure and electrical cables for arcing damage. For certain other airplanes, the action also proposed to require relocating the terminal strip, and doing a general visual inspection of the surrounding structure and electrical cables for arcing damage. The action also proposed to revise the applicability of the existing AD to include additional airplanes.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

There are approximately 163 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 73 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD.

The new actions that are required by this new AD will take approximately between 1 and 7 work hours per airplane (depending on airplane configuration) to accomplish, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately between $721 and $2,035 per airplane (depending on airplane configuration). Based on these figures, the cost impact of the requirements of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $786 and $2,490 per airplane (depending on airplane configuration).

The cost impact figures discussed above are 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.

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 removing amendment 39-12019 ( 65 FR 75615, December 4, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD), amendment 39-13393, to read as follows:

2003-25-10 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13393. Docket 2001-NM-163-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-24-12, Amendment 39-12019.

Applicability: Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, Revision 02, dated December 4, 2002; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent arcing and sparking damage to the power feeder cables, terminal strips, and adjacent structure, and consequent smoke and fire in the center accessory compartment (CAC), accomplish the following:

Revising Wire Connection Stack Up, Inspecting, Replacing Terminal Strips, Removing the Nameplate, and Relocating Terminal Strips; As Applicable

(a) For Groups 1 through 6 airplanes as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, Revision 02, dated December 4, 2002: Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD per the service bulletin. Although the service bulletin references a reporting requirement, such reporting is not required by this AD.

(1) Revise the wire connection stack up of the cable terminals at the electrical power center bays 1, 2, and 3 in the CAC, as applicable, and do a one-time general visual inspection of the surrounding structure and electrical cables for chafing or damage.

Note:

For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is defined as “A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.”

(2) Replace the terminal strips and remove the applicable nameplate at the electrical power center bays 1, 2, and 3 in the CAC, and do a general visual inspection of the surrounding structure and electrical cables for arcing damage.

(b) For Group 7 airplanes as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, Revision 02, dated December 4, 2002: Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, relocate the terminal strip, and do a general visual inspection of the surrounding structure and electrical cables for arcing damage, per the service bulletin. Although the service bulletin references a reporting requirement, such reporting is not required by this AD.

Corrective Action

(c) If any chafing or damage is detected during any general visual inspection required by this AD, before further flight, repair or replace the damaged or chafed component with new or serviceable components, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, Revision 02, dated December 4, 2002; except if the type of structural material that has been affected is not covered in the Structural Repair Manual, repair per a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. In addition, although the service bulletin references a reporting requirement, such reporting is not required by this AD.

Credit for Earlier Service Bulletins

(d) Applicable actions specified in this AD accomplished before the effective date of this AD per McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, dated April 3, 2000; or Revision 01, dated July 12, 2001, are acceptable for compliance with the applicable requirements of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.

Incorporation by Reference

(f) Unless otherwise specified by this AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A097, Revision 02, dated December 4, 2002. 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

(g) This amendment becomes effective on January 27, 2004.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 11, 2003.

Kevin M. Mullin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.