AD 99-25-14

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F series airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection to determine if metallic transitions are installed on wire harnesses of the tail tank fuel transfer pumps, and to determine if damaged wires are present; and repair, if necessary. This amendment also would require repetitive inspections of the repaired area; and a permanent modification of the wire harnesses if metallic transitions are not installed, which terminates the repetitive inspections. This amendment is prompted by a report of chafing and damage to a wire harness of a tail tank fuel transfer pump. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent wire chafing and damage, which could result in an inoperative fuel transfer pump and/or an increased risk of a fire or explosion from a fuel leak.

Final rule

99-25-14 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-11457. Docket 99-NM-71-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model MD-11 and MD-11F series airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A101, dated August 24, 1998, 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 wire chafing and damage which could result in an inoperative tail tank fuel transfer pump and/or an increased risk of a fire or explosion from a fuel leak, accomplish the following: \n\nInspection and Corrective Actions \n\t(a)\tWithin 30 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time visual inspection of the wire harnesses of the tail tank fuel transfer pumps to determine if metallic transitions are installed, and to determine if damaged wires are present, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A101, dated August 24, 1998. \n\n\t\t(1)\tIf all metallic transitions are installed, no further action is required by this AD. \n\n\t\t(2)\tIf metallic transitions are not installed, accomplish the following: \n\n\t\t\t(i)\tPrior to further flight, accomplish the temporary repair in accordance with condition 2 of the service bulletin; \n\n\t\t\t(ii)\tRepeat the visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2 years; and \n\n\t\t\t(iii)\tWithin 5 years after the effective date of this AD, permanently modify the wire harnesses in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28-102, Revision 01, dated June 23, 1999. Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD. \n\n\tNOTE 2: Modification of the wire harnesses accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28-102, dated January 29, 1999, is considered acceptable for compliance with the modification required by paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this AD.\n\n Alternative 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 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\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 actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A101, dated August 24, 1998, or McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28-102, Revision 01, dated June 23, 1999, as applicable. 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 BoeingCommercial 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 at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. \n\n\t(e)\tThis amendment becomes effective on January 18, 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 and MD-11F series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 10, 1999 (64 FR 43316). That action proposed to require a one-time inspection to determine if metallic transitions are installed on wire harnesses of the tail tank fuel transfer pumps, and to determine if damaged wires are present; and repair, if necessary. That action also proposed to require repetitive inspections of the repaired area; and a permanent modification of the wire harnesses if metallic transitions are not installed, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. \n\nComments \n\n\tInterested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to the two comments received. Support for the Proposal \n\n\tOne commentersupports the proposed rule. Request Credit for Previously Accomplished Work \n\n\tOne commenter requests credit for prior accomplishment of the proposed one-time visual inspection, temporary repairs, and repetitive inspections of the wire harnesses of the tail tank fuel transfer pumps in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A101, dated August 24, 1998. \n\n\tThe FAA concurs that an initial inspection, temporary repairs, and repetitive inspections accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A101, dated August 24, 1998, is acceptable for compliance with those requirements. However, the FAA notes that operators are always given credit for work accomplished previously if the work is performed in accordance with the existing AD by means of the phrase in the compliance section of the AD that states, "Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously." Therefore no change to the final rule is necessary in this regard. \n\nConclusion \n\n\tAfter careful review of the available data, including the comments 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\n\tThere are approximately 14 airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 5 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work hour 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 $300, or $60 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. However, the FAA has been advised that manufacturer warranty remedies are available for labor costs associated with accomplishing the actions required by this AD. Therefore, the future economic cost impact of this rule on U.S. operators may be less than the cost impact figure indicated above. \n\nRegulatory Impact \n\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\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\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.\n\n Adoption 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\nAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n§ 39.13 (Amended) \n\n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: