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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 an inspection to detect arcing damage of the terminal strips, surrounding structure, and electrical cables in the forward cargo compartment; and repair or replacement of any damaged part with a new part. This amendment also requires modification of the applicable terminal strip installation in the cargo compartment, and replacement of the applicable terminal strips in the cargo compartment with new strips. This action is necessary to prevent arcing and consequent damage to the terminal strips and adjacent structure and smoke/fire in the forward cargo compartment. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective November 26, 2003.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of November 26, 2003.

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 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.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brett Portwood, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5350; fax (562) 627-5210.

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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 as a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register on July 24, 2003 (68 FR 43683). That action proposed to require an inspection to detect arcing damage of the terminal strips, surrounding structure, and electrical cables in the forward cargo compartment; and repair or replacement of any damaged part with a new part. That action also proposed to require modification of the applicable terminal strip installation in the cargo compartment, and replacement of the applicable terminal strips in the cargo compartment with new strips.

Comments

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the supplemental NPRM 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 154 Model MD-11 and—11F airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 59 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately between 1 and 6 work hours per airplane depending on the airplane configuration to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts will cost between $133 and $474 depending on the airplane configuration. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be between $198 and $864 per airplane depending on the 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. The manufacturer may cover the cost of replacement parts associated with this AD, subject to warranty conditions.

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 Start Printed Page 60284FR 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.

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List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Incorporation by reference
• Safety

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Adoption of the Amendment

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Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (

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PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

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

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2003-21-10 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13345. Docket 2001-NM-52-AD.

Applicability: Model MD-11 and—11F airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A174, Revision 03, dated July 25, 2002; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent arcing and consequent damage to the terminal strips and adjacent structure and smoke/fire in the forward cargo compartment, accomplish the following:

Inspection, Modification, Replacement, and Corrective Actions, if Necessary

(a) For airplanes on which Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A174, original issue, January 31, 2001; Revision 01, dated April 24, 2001; or Revision 02, dated December 17, 2001; have not been done: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD per the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A174, excluding the Evaluation Form; both Revision 03, dated July 25, 2002. Although the service bulletin recommends the completion and submission of an Evaluation Form and a reporting requirement (Appendix), such reporting is not required by this AD.

(1) Do a general visual inspection to detect arcing damage of the terminal strips, surrounding structure, and electrical cables in the forward cargo compartment. If any damage is detected, before further flight, repair or replace the damaged part with a new part, per the service bulletin; except if the type of structural material that has been affected is not covered in the Structural Repair Manual (SRM), repair per a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.

Note 1:

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 from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight 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.”

Note 2:

Where there are differences between the referenced service bulletin and the AD, the AD prevails.

(2) Modify the applicable terminal strip installation in the cargo compartment (including inspection for damaged cables and repair of any damaged cable).

(3) Replace the applicable terminal strips in the cargo compartment with new strips (including inspection for damaged cables and repair of any damaged cable).

(b) For Group 2 airplanes listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A174, Revision 03, dated July 25, 2002, on which prior revisions of that service bulletin have been done: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, do the actions specified in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD per the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A174, Revision 03, dated July 25, 2002, excluding the Evaluation Form; both Revision 03, dated July 25, 2002. Although the service bulletin recommends the completion and submission of an Evaluation Form and a reporting requirement (Appendix), such reporting is not required by this AD.

(1) Do a general visual inspection to detect arcing damage of the terminal strips, surrounding structure, and electrical cables in the forward cargo compartment. If any damage is detected, before further flight, repair or replace the damaged part with a new part, per the service bulletin; except if the type of structural material that has been affected is not covered in the SRM, repair per a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

(2) Replace the applicable terminal strip in the cargo compartment with a new strip (including inspection for damaged cables and repair of any damaged cable).

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

Incorporation by Reference

(d) Unless otherwise specified in this AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A174, Revision 03, dated July 25, 2002, excluding Appendix. 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 November 26, 2003.

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