AD 99-26-03

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. This action requires repetitive general visual inspections of the power feeder cables, terminal strip, fuseholder, and fuses of the galley load control unit (GLCU) within the No. 3 bay electrical power center to detect damage; and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by an incident of no power to the aft galleys and two incidents of sparking sounds coming from the G3 galley due to damage of the No. 3 and 4 wire assembly terminal lugs and overheating of the power feeder cables on the G3 GLCU. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent such damage due to the accumulated effects over time from overheating of the power feeder cables on the G3 GLCU, which could result in smoke and fire in the G3 galley.

Final rule; request for comments.

99-26-03 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-11463. Docket 99-NM-262-AD. Issued December 7, 1999.\n \n\tApplicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A160, Revision 01, dated November 11, 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 proposedactions to address it. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo prevent damage to the wire assembly terminal lugs and power feeder cables due to the accumulated effects over time from overheating of the power feeder cables on the G3 galley load control unit (GLCU), which could result in smoke and fire in the central accessory compartment (CAC); accomplish the following: \n \n\t(a)\tWithin 60 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a general visual inspection of the power feeder cables, terminal strip, fuseholder, and fuses of the GLCU within the No. 3 bay electrical power center to detect damage (i.e., discoloration of affected parts or loose attachments) in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A160, dated August 30, 1999; or Revision 01, dated November 11, 1999. NOTE 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)\tIf no damage is detected during any inspection required by this AD, repeat the general visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours. \n\n\t\t(2)\tIf any damage is detected during any inspection required by this AD, prior to further flight, replace the power feeder cables, fuseholder, and/or fuses, as applicable, in accordance with the service bulletin. Repeat the general visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance\n \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 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)\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 \n\t(d)\tThe actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A160, dated August 30, 1999; or McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A160, Revision 01, dated November 11, 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 (2-0). 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 at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. \n\n\t(e) This amendment becomes effective on January 4, 2000.

As part of its practice of re-examining all aspects of the service experience of a particular aircraft whenever an accident occurs, the FAA has become aware of one occurrence of no power to the aft galleys and two occurrences of sparking sounds coming from the G3 galley. These incidents occurred on McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes equipped with a certain 120 kilo volts alternating current (KVA) galley option. The No. 3 and 4 wire assembly of the galley load control unit (GLCU) had 2 terminal lugs discolored and one terminal strip with overheated power feeder cables and studs on the fuseholder. The damage was attributed to the accumulative effects over time from overheating due to galley current loads on wires improperly sized for the application. This condition, if not corrected, could result in damage to the wire assembly terminal lugs and power feeder cable of the G3 GLCU, which could result in smoke and fire in the G3 galley. This incident is not considered to be related to an accident that occurred off the coast of Nova Scotia involving a McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplane. The cause of that accident is still under investigation. Other Related Rulemaking The FAA, in conjunction with Boeing and operators of Model MD-11 series airplanes, is continuing to review all aspects of the service history of those airplanes to identify potential unsafe conditions and to take appropriate corrective actions. This AD is one of a series of actions identified during that process. The process is continuing and the FAA may consider additional rulemaking actions as further results of the review become available. \n\nExplanation of Relevant Service Information\n\n\tThe FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A160, Revision 01, dated November 11, 1999, which describes procedures for repetitive general visual inspections of the power feeder cables, terminal strip, fuseholder, and fuses of the GLCU within the No. 3 bay electrical power center; and corrective actions, if necessary. The corrective actions include replacement of power feeder cables, fuseholder, and/or fuses, as applicable. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition. \n\n\tThe FAA also has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A160, dated August 30, 1999, which describes the same procedures as Revision 01 of the service bulletin. However, the inspection is only accomplished once, rather than repetitively. Therefore, this service bulletin is also provided as a source of accomplishment instructions for the required general visual inspections and corrective actions. \n\nExplanation of the Requirements of the Rule \n\tSince an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design, this AD is being issued to prevent damage to the wire assembly terminal lugs and power feeder cables due to the accumulated effects over time from overheating of the power feeder cables on the G3 GLCU. This AD requires accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously. Interim Action This is considered to be interim action until final action is identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking. \n\nDetermination of Rule's Effective Date \n\tSince a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for prior public comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days. \n\nComments Invited \n\tAlthough this action is in the form of a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety and, thus, was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public comment, comments are invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption "ADDRESSES." All communications received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed. \n\n\tComments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this AD will be filed in the Rules Docket. \n\n\tCommenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: "Comments to Docket Number 99-NM-262-AD." The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter. \n\nRegulatory Impact \n\tThe regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. \n\n\tThe FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft, and that it is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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: \n\n\tAuthority: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: