On September 2, 1998, a McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplane was involved in an accident near Halifax, Nova Scotia. To date, causal factors of the accident have not been determined; however, the National Transportation Safety Board is assisting Canadian authorities in determining the cause of the accident. It is known that smoke in the flight deck had been reported by the flightcrew, and there were indications of heat damage to electrical wires in the recovered wreckage. \n\n\tIn the early phases of the accident investigation, interest was focused on the in-flight entertainment (IFE) system installed aboard the accident airplane. The IFE system installed on the accident airplane is known as the In-Flight Entertainment Network (IFEN). The modification of the MD-11 airplane involving the installation of the IFEN system was accomplished under the authority of Switzerland's Federal Office for Civil Aviation (FOCA). The basis for FOCA's certifying the IFEN system in Switzerland was FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) No. ST00236LA-D. That STC was issued by Santa Barbara Aerospace (SBA) under its authority as an FAA Designated Alteration Station (DAS). \n\n\tThe FAA conducted a special certification review of the IFEN system approved by STC No. ST00236LA-D in order to determine if any unsafe design or unsafe installation features exist in connection with the IFEN system. The review identified two areas of concern, both relating to IFEN system electrical power and the airplane crew's ability to remove electrical power from it when necessary. There is no indication that the areas of concern identified by the FAA as a result of the special certification review are related to the cause of the accident. The Canadian authorities have not yet determined the cause of the accident. \n\n\tThe current design of the IFEN system electrical power switching is not compatible with the design concept of the MD-11 airplane with regard to the response by the flightcrew to a cabin or flight deck smoke/fumes emergency. In addition, the current IFEN system design does not provide the flightcrew and/or cabin crew with the ability to remove electrical power by a means other than pulling the system's circuit breakers. The airplane manufacturer's design concept of the airplane results in power being removed from the main cabin systems when the "CAB BUS" switch is engaged during a smoke/fumes emergency. However, the design of the IFEN system installation circumvented flightcrew procedures for responding to a smoke/fumes emergency by connecting the IFEN system to an electrical bus that is not de-energized when the "CAB BUS" switch is activated. Although the power to the IFEN system would eventually be removed via activation of the SMOKE ELEC/AIR rotary switch, the flightcrew would expect that selection of the "CAB BUS" switch would isolate all non-essential power to the cabin. Also, the cabin crew is able to only deactivate individual in-seat video displays (ISVD) from the IFEN system management terminal, deactivation does not remove electrical power from the ISVD's and other IFEN system components. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in possible confusion as the flightcrew performs their duties in response to a smoke/fumes emergency, which could subsequently impair their ability to correctly identify the source of the smoke/fumes and subsequently affect the continued safe flight and landing of the airplane. \n\n\tAt the present time, the IFEN approved by STC ST00236LA-D is not installed on any airplane of U.S. registry, and the STC holder has surrendered the STC to the FAA. Nevertheless, because the data were FAA-approved, it is possible that in the future an operator, in reliance on that approval, may decide to install the IFEN on its airplane. Therefore, an AD is necessary to prevent such installation. \n\nExplanation of Requirements of the Rule \n\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 prohibit installation of an In-flight Entertainment Network system approved by STC ST00236LA-D. \n\nCost Impact \n\n\tNone of the Model MD-11 series airplanes affected by this action are on the U.S. Register. All airplanes included in the applicability of this rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. However, the FAA considers that this rule is necessary to ensure that the unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject airplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future. \n\n\tSince a specific modification commensurate with the requirements of this AD has not yet been developed, the FAA is unable at this time to provide specific information as to the number of work hours or cost of parts that would be required to accomplish actions associated withamendments to STC ST00236LA-D. \n\n\tAs indicated earlier in this preamble, the FAA specifically invites the submission of comments and other data regarding this economic aspect of this proposal. \n\nDetermination of Rule's Effective Date \n\n\tSince this AD action does not affect any airplane that is currently on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, prior notice and public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. \n\nComments Invited \n\n\tAlthough this action is in the form of a final rule and was not preceded by notice and 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-216-AD." The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter. \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, 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\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: