AD 96-05-04

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. This action requires the installation of a control cable guard to separate the flight control cables from the electrical wiring of the aft left cabin attendant console. This amendment is prompted by reports of burnt electrical wire cable in the cabin attendant console that was caused by chafing of the wire cable against certain flight control cables. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent chafing of these wire cables, which could result in a fire hazard or damage to critical flight control cables.

Final rule; request for comments.

96-05-04 McDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-9530. Docket 96-NM-37-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, having manufacturer's Fuselage Number 0458, 0459, 0460, 0463, 0464, 0465, 0472, 0473, 0477, 0484, 0487, 0494, 0498, 0502, 0509, 0533, 0570, and 0571; 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 otherwise 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. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo prevent chafing of the electrical wiring of the aft left cabin attendant console, which could lead to a potential fire hazard or damage to critical flight control cables, accomplish the following: \n\n\t(a)\tWithin 60 days after the effective date of this AD, install a control cable guard in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-27-051, dated December 19, 1995. \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 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\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\n\t(d)\tThe installation shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-27-051, dated December 19, 1995. 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 McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business Administration, Department C1-L51 (2-60). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 March 22, 1996.

The FAA has received a report from an operator of McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, indicating that a burnt electrical wire cable was found in the cabin attendant console located a door 4 left. Investigation has revealed that the electrical wiring of the cabin attendant console was damaged due to intermittent rubbing (chafing) between the wiring and one or both of the control cables of the rudder and horizontal stabilizer. This condition, if not corrected, could result in a wiring short, which could lead to a fire. It also could result in damage to the control cable of the rudder or the horizontal stabilizer. Further, it could result in damage to and disabling of the evacuation warning system signaling system (EVAC). \n\n\tMcDonnell Douglas has issued Service Bulletin MD11-27-051, dated December 9, 1995, which describes procedures for installing a guard to separate the flight control cables from the electrical wiring of the aft left cabin attendant console. Installation of this guard will prevent the rubbing (chafing) condition and will minimize the possibility of a wiring short. \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 chafing of the electrical wire cables in the aft left cabin attendant console against the flight control cables, which could lead to a fire hazard or damage to the control cables of the rudder or the horizontal stabilizer. This AD requires installation of a guard to separate the flight control cables and the electrical wiring of the aft left cabin attendant console. This action is required to be accomplished in accordance with the service bulletin described previously. \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\tShould an affected airplane be imported and placed on the U.S. Register in the future, it would require approximately 2 work hours to accomplish the required actions, at an average labor charge of $60 per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $1,534 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD would be $1,654 per airplane. \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, 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 submittedwill 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 96-NM-37-AD." The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter. \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\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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n§ 39.13 - (Amended) \n\n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: