AD 2000-03-14

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, that requires modification of the battery ground cable installation in the center accessory compartment. This amendment is prompted by reports of battery ground studs that had arced due to loose ground stud attachments. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such arcing, which could cause smoke and/or fire in the center accessory compartment.

Final rule

2000-03-14 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-11573. Docket 99-NM-172-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A141, Revision 01, dated August 23, 1999; 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.Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo prevent arcing of the battery ground studs, which could cause smoke and/or fire in the center accessory compartment, accomplish the following: \n\n\t(a)\tFor airplanes on which McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-24-090, dated August, 28, 1997; Revision 1, dated June 10, 1998; or Revision 2, dated May 17, 1999; has not been accomplished: Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the modification of the battery ground cable installation in the center accessory compartment specified in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A141, dated May 17, 1999, or Revision 01, dated August 23, 1999. \n\n\t\t(1)\tOption 1 (Bracket Assembly Modification). Modify, reidentify, and install a modified bracket assembly; trim the nameplate; plug open holes; install the support assembly and clamp; and connect the battery ground cable with improved attachments. \n\n\t\t(2)\tOption 2 (Bracket Assembly Replacement). Install a new bracket assembly; plug open holes; install the support assembly and clamp; and connect the battery ground cable with improved attachments. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance \n\t(b)\tAn 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, Transport Airplane Directorate. 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 2: 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\t(c)\tSpecial 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)\tThe modification and replacement shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A141, dated May 17, 1999, or McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A141, Revision 01, dated August 23, 1999. 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, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or atthe Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. \n\n\t(e)\tThis amendment becomes effective on March 23, 2000.

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 October 27, 1999 (64 FR 57820). That action proposed to require modification of the battery ground cable installation in the center accessory compartment. \n\nComments \n\tInterested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the single comment received. \n\n\tThe commenter supports the proposed rule. \n\nConclusion \n\tAfter careful review of the available data, including the comment noted above, the 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 142 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 30 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane (for Option 1; bracket assembly modification) or 2 work hours per airplane (for Option 2; bracket assembly replacement) to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $1,204 per airplane for Option 1, or $2,115 per airplane for Option 2. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators for Option 1 is estimated to be $41,520, or $1,384 per airplane. The cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators for Option 2 is estimated to be $67,050, or $2,235 per airplane. \n\n\tThe cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. However, the FAA has been advised that manufacturer warranty remediesare available for some labor costs associated with accomplishing the proposed actions. Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on U.S. operators may be less than the cost impact figures indicated above. \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 ofthe 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: