AD 2002-14-07

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, that requires relocation of the mod block tracks on the flight compartment floor beams in the avionics compartment beneath the Captain's and First Officer's seats. This action is necessary to prevent chafing and compression of electrical wiring at the upper track mod blocks on the flight compartment floor beams in the avionics compartment beneath the Captain's and First Officer's seats, which could result in electrical arcing and consequent smoke and/or fire in the cockpit. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

Final rule.

2002-14-07 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-12807. Docket 2001-NM- 60-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A036, Revision 01, dated May 21, 2001; certificated in any category. \n\n\tNote 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. \n\n\tCompliance:Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo prevent chafing and compression of electrical wiring at the upper track mod blocks on the flight compartment floor beams in the avionics compartment beneath the Captain's and First Officer's seats, which could result in electrical arcing and consequent smoke and/or fire in the cockpit, accomplish the following: \n\nRelocation of Mod Block Tracks \n\n\t(a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, relocate the mod block tracks on the flight compartment floor beams in the avionics compartment beneath the Captain's and First Officer's seats, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD-1124A036, Revision 01, dated May 21, 2001. \n\n\tNote 2: Accomplishment of the relocation per McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-24-036, dated May 8, 1992, before the effective date of this AD, is considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of this AD. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance \n\n\t(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. \n\n\tNote 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO. \n\nSpecial Flight Permits \n\n\t(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. \n\nIncorporation by Reference \n\n\t(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A036, Revision 01, dated May 21, 2001. This incorporation by reference was approved by theDirector 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 90712; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. \n\nEffective Date \n\n\t(e) This amendment becomes effective on August 23, 2002.

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 50886). That action proposed to require relocation of the mod block tracks on the flight compartment floor beams in the avionics compartment beneath the Captain's and First Officer's seats. \n\nComments \n\n\tInterested 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. \n\nExplanation of Change to Applicability \n\n\tThe FAA has determined that some confusion may arise from the applicability of the NPRM, because McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11F airplanes were not specifically identified. However, those airplanes were identified by manufacturer's fuselagenumbers in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A036, Revision 01, dated May 21, 2001 (which was referenced in the applicability statement of the AD for determining the specific affected airplanes). Therefore, we have revised the applicability throughout the final rule to include Model MD-11F airplanes, in addition to Model MD-11 airplanes. In addition, we have 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. \n\nConclusion \n\n\tAfter careful review of the available data, 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. \n\nCost Impact \n\n\tThere are approximately 23 Model MD-11 and -11F airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 8 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. Required parts will cost approximately $705 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,600, or $825 per airplane. \n\n\tThe 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. \n\nRegulatory Impact \n\n\tThe 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. \n\n\tFor 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. \n\nList of Subjectsin 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.\n\nAdoption of the Amendment \n\n\tAccordingly, 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: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n\t1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: