AD 99-03-02

Active

Electrical Wiring

Key Information
99-03-02
Active
February 12, 1999
Not specified
99-NM-10-AD
39-11014
Applicability
["Aircraft"]
["Large Airplane"]
The Boeing Company
MD-11 MD-11F
Summary

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. This action requires a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies of certain wiring and insulation in the cockpit and cabin, and repair, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by test results obtained in support of an accident investigation. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent electrical arcing of certain wiring, which could cause a fire and/or smoke in the cockpit or cabin.

Action Required

Final rule; request for comments.

Regulatory Text

99-03-02 McDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-11014. Docket 99-NM-10-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: All Model MD-11 series airplanes, 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 (d) 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 electrical arcing of certain wiring, which could cause a fire and/or smoke in the cockpit or cabin, accomplish the following: \n\n\t(a)\tWithin 60 days after the effective date of this AD: Perform the one-time visual inspections required by paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD to detect discrepancies (including loose wire connections, loose ground wires, broken bonding wires, small wire bending radii, cracked support brackets, and chafed and cracked wire insulation); in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. \n\n\t\t(1)\tInspect all cabin wiring and insulation, including the wire harness protective wrap if applicable, on and above the forward cabin drop ceiling, from the cockpit bulkhead (at approximately station 392) to the aft edge of the forward drop ceiling (at approximately station 516). And \n\n\t\t(2)\tInspect all cockpit wiring and insulation, including the wire harness protective wrap if applicable, within the overhead switch panel and overhead circuit breaker panel (at approximately stations 304 through 360). And \n\n\t\t(3)\tInspect all cockpit wiring and insulation, including the wire harness protective wrap if applicable, in the following areas: \n\naft of the overhead circuit breaker panel (at approximately station 360); \n\nforward of the cockpit entry bulkhead (at approximately station 392); \n\n16 inches left of centerline (at approximately station X= -16); and \n\nabove the top edge of the right clear-view window, including wiring within and outboard of the upper and lower avionics circuit breaker panels. \n\n\tNOTE 2: Inspection of wiring within conduits is not required by this AD. \n\n\tNOTE 3: Insulation blankets (which hide wiring that is generally routed through conduits) and wire harness protective wrap (including gray sleeving, spiral wrap, and centerline tape) are not required to be removed during the inspection. \n\n\t(b)\tIf any discrepancy is detected during any inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with Chapter 20, Standard Wiring Practices of the MD-11 Wiring Diagram Manual, dated October 1, 1998. \n\n\t(c)\tWithin 10 days after accomplishing the inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD, submit a report of the inspection results (both positive and negative findings) to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; fax (562) 627-5210. Information collection requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. \n\n\t(d)\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 ACO. 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO. \n\n\t(e)\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\n\t(f)\tThis amendment becomes effective on February 12, 1999.

Supplementary Information

On September 2, 1998, a McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplane was involved in an accident following takeoff from John F. Kennedy International Airport in Jamaica, New York. The cause of the accident has not been determined. \n\n\tIn support of the subsequent accident investigation, examinations were conducted on several Model MD-11 series airplanes; the examinations focused on the area from the cockpit to station 515 (near the forward doors of the airplane in the forward drop ceiling area). The FAA recently has been informed of the results of these examinations, which revealed chafed, cracked, broken, and cut electrical and bonding wires in several of these areas. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in electrical arcing of wiring and consequent fire and/or smoke in the cockpit or cabin. \n\nExplanation of the 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 prevent electrical arcing of wiring, which could cause a fire and/or smoke in the cockpit or cabin. This AD requires accomplishment of a one-time visual inspection to detect discrepancies (including loose wire connections, loose ground wires, broken bonding wires, small wire bending radii, cracked support brackets, and chafed and cracked wire insulation) of the wiring and insulation in the cockpit and overhead drop ceiling panel areas at stations Y=304 through Y=516 and X= -27 left side through X=27 right side above the floor. The inspection is required to be performed in accordance with a method approved by the FAA. \n\n\tThis AD also requires repair of any discrepancy in accordance with Chapter 20, Standard Wiring Practices of the MD-11 Wiring Diagram Manual, dated October 1, 1998. \n\n\tFurther, this AD requires that operators report results of inspection findings (both positive and negative) to the FAA. \n\nInterim Action \n\n\tThis is considered to be interim action. The inspection reports that are required by this AD will enable the manufacturer to obtain better insight into the nature, cause, and extent of the discrepant wiring, and eventually to develop final action to address the unsafe condition. Once final action has been identified, the FAA may consider further rulemaking. \n\nDetermination of Rule's Effective Date \n\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\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.Commenters 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-10-AD." The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter. Regulatory 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\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)2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

AD Assistant

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Contact Information

Brett Portwood, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5350; fax (562) 627-5210.

References
(Federal Register: January 28, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 18))
--- - Part 39 (64 FR 4291 No. 18 01/28/99)
(Page 4291)
FAA Documents