AD 2000-24-16

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, that requires an inspection of the one phase remote control circuit breaker (RCCB) in the main avionics compartment and center accessory compartment to determine its part number and serial number, and replacement of the RCCB with a certain RCCB, if necessary. This action is necessary to ensure that defective braze joints of certain latch assemblies of the RCCB are not installed on the airplane. Defective braze joints could fail and prevent the RCCB from tripping during an overload condition, which could result in a fire and smoke in certain wire bundles that are routed to and from the main avionics compartment or center accessory compartment. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

Final rule

2000-24-16 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-12023. Docket 2000-NM-37-AD.\n\n\tApplicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A144, dated May 2, 2000; 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 fire and smoke in certain wire bundles that are routed to and from the main avionics compartment or center accessory compartment, accomplish the following: \n\nInspection and Replacement, If Necessary\n\t(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time general visual inspection of the one phase remote control circuit breaker (RCCB) in the main avionics compartment and center accessory compartment to determine the part number and serial number (identified in Table 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin), in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A144, dated May 2, 2000.\n\n\tNote 2: 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."\n\n\t\t(1) If any RCCB has a part number listed in Table 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin and the corresponding serial number is NOT identified in that table, no further action is required by this AD.\n\n\t\t(2) If any RCCB has a part number listed in Table 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin and the corresponding serial number is identified in that table, before further flight, replace the RCCB with a RCCB having the same part number with a serial number that is NOT identified in Table 2, in accordance with the service bulletin.\n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance\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 Permit\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\t(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A144, dated May 2, 2000. 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: Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). 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.\n\nEffective Date\n\t(e) This amendment becomes effective on January 8, 2001.

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 series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on July 27, 2000 (65 FR 46221). That action proposed to require an inspection of the one phase remote control circuit breaker (RCCB) in the main avionics compartment and center accessory compartment to determine its part number and serial number, and replacement of the RCCB with a certain RCCB, if necessary. \n\nComments\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\nConclusion\n\tThe FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.\n\nCost Impact\n\tThere are approximately 187 Model MD-11 series airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 60 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required inspection, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the inspection required by this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $21,600, or $360 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\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 Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.\n\nAdoption of the Amendment \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\t1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:\nAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n§ 39.13 (Amended)\n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: