AD 95-26-06

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. This AD requires either that the control circuit breaker of the left fuel pump valve be opened and collared, or that the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) be revised to prohibit autoland operation below 100 feet above ground level (AGL). Additionally, this action requires an inspection of the fuel system control panel (FSCP) to detect any mis-wiring, and modification or replacement of the FSCP. This AD also provides for an optional terminating modification for the requirements of the AD. This amendment is prompted by a report of improper wiring of the FSCP during production of these airplanes. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent degradation of the automatic landing system during flight due to improper wiring of the FSCP.

Final rule; request for comments.

95-26-06 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-9464. Docket 95-NM-245-AD.\n\n\tApplicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, manufacturer's fuselage numbers 0447 through 0593 inclusive, 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 use the authority provided in paragraph (e) of this AD to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.\n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.\n\n\tTo prevent degradation of the automatic landing system during flight due to improper wiring of the fuel system control panel (FSCP), accomplish the following:\n\n\t(a)\tWithin 15 days after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the requirements of either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD.\n\n\t\t(1)\tRevise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM), page 5-4, Flight Guidance, Automatic Landing Section, to include the following statement. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.\n\n"Autoland operation below 100 feet above ground level (AGL) is prohibited. The autopilot must be disconnected prior to descent below 100 feet AGL."\n\n\t\t(2)\tOpen and collar the control circuit breaker, B1-458, of the left fuel dump valve, in accordance with Phase 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28A081, dated November 30, 1995.\n\n\tNOTE 2: McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A081, dated November 30, 1995, references Honeywell Service Bulletin 4059024-28-2, dated November 22, 1995, for specific service instructions.\n\n\t(b)\tWithin 60 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a visual inspection to determine if the wiring is mis-wired in the fuel system control panel (FSCP), part number 4059024-901, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A081, dated November 30, 1995.\n\n\t\t(1)\tIf the FSCP wiring is not mis-wired (the measured resistance between connector pins J1-T and J3-K is more than 100 ohms), accomplish the requirements of either paragraph (b)(1)(i) or (b)(1)(ii) of this AD:\n\n\t\t\t(i)\tContinue to operate the airplane provided that the actions specified in either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) have been accomplished; or\n\n\t\t\t(ii)\tPrior to further flight, re-identify the FSCP, part number 4059024-901, to incorporate modification letter "A" in the FSCP identification plate, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28A081, dated November 30, 1995. This re-identification constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD. (The AFM revision as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, if previously accomplished, may be removed following this re-identification action.)\n\n\t\t(2)\tIf the FSCP wiring is mis-wired (the measured resistance between connectors J1-T and J3-K is less than 100 ohms), accomplish the requirements of either paragraph (b)(2)(i) or (b)(2)(ii) of this AD.\n\n\t\t\t(i)\tContinue to operate the airplane provided that the actions specified in either paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) have been accomplished; or\n\n\t\t\t(ii)\tPrior to further flight, either modify the FSCP, part number 4059024-901; or replace the FSCP, part number 4059024-901, with an FSCP having part number 4059024-901 and modification letter "A" in the FSCP identification plate; in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28A081, dated November 30, 1995. This modification or replacement constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD. (The AFM revision as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, if accomplished previously, may be removed following this modification/replacement.)\n\n\t(c)\tWithin 10 days after accomplishing the visual inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD, submit a report of the inspection results (both positive and negative findings) to the Manager, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 3690 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; telephone (310) 627-5262; fax (310) 627-5210, Attention: Ray Vakili, ANM-140L. 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)\tInstallation of an FSCP having part number 4059024-901 and modification letter "A" in the FSCP identification plate, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28A081, dated November 30, 1995, constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD.\n\n\t(e)\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, 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\n\t(f)\tSpecial flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199of 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(g)\tThe actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A081, dated November 30, 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(h)\tThis amendment becomes effective on January 4, 1996.

The FAA has received a report from McDonnell Douglas indicating that improper wiring of the fuel system control panel (FSCP) on Model MD-11 airplanes was detected during functional checks performed during production. Investigation revealed that the direct current (DC) electrical busses, numbers 1 and 3, had been tied together; this could lead to a single short of one bus, which could adversely affect the operation of the remaining bus. This condition, if not corrected, could result in degradation of the automatic landing system during flight.\n\n\tThe FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A081, dated November 30, 1995, which describes procedures to open and collar the control circuit breaker, B1-458, of the left fuel dump valve. This will reduce the redundancy of the fuel dump system and the fuel dump rate so that autoland (dual land) operations can be maintained. This alert service bulletin also provides proceduresfor a conducting a one-time visual inspection of the FSCP to detect any mis-wiring, and various necessary follow-on actions, depending upon the result of the inspection. Necessary follow-on actions include re-identification, modification, or replacement of the FSCP, if necessary. (The McDonnell Douglas alert service bulletin references Honeywell Service Bulletin 4059024-28-2, dated November 22, 1995, as an additional source of service information for inspection, re-identification, and modification of the FSCP.)\n\n\tSince an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop on other McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes of the same type design, this AD is being issued to prevent degradation of the automatic landing system during flight due to improper wiring of the FSCP. This AD first requires either (1) that the control circuit breaker of the left fuel pump valve be opened and collared, in accordance with the McDonnell Douglas alert service bulletin described previously; or (2) that the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) be revised to prohibit autoland operation below 100 feet above ground level (AGL).\n\n\tSecond, this AD also requires a one-time visual inspection of the FSCP to detect any mis-wiring, and re-identification, modification, or replacement of the FSCP, if necessary. These actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the McDonnell Douglas alert service bulletin described previously. Additionally, operators must submit a report of the results of the inspection to the FAA.\n\n\tThis AD also provides for an optional terminating action for the requirements of the AD, which consists of replacing the FSCP with a modified unit.\n\n\tThis is considered to be interim action. The FAA may consider further rulemaking action to require the accomplishment of the optional terminating action currently specified in this AD. However, the proposed compliance time for accomplishment of that action is sufficiently long so that prior notice and time for public comment will be practicable.\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.\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 95-NM-245-AD." The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.\n\n\tThe regulations adopted hereinwill 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 theRules 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, 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), 40101, 40113, 44701. \n\n§ 39.13 - (Amended)\n\n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: