AD 95-17-11

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. This action requires an inspection and other specified actions to ensure that the ground stud assemblies at three locations of the airplane are installed properly and torqued to certain specifications, to verify the integrity of the components of the ground stud assemblies, and to detect heat damage in adjacent areas; and correction of any discrepancy. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that arcing occurred across the pins in the galley external power receptacle due to loose attach hardware on the ground stud. The actions specified in this AD are intended to ensure that the ground stud assemblies are attached correctly so that arcing will not occur. Such arcing, if not corrected, could result in heat damage to adjacent structure and a fire in the forward cargo compartment, the center accessory compartment, or the aft fuselagecompartment.

Final rule; request for comments.

95-17-11 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-9341. Docket 95-NM-134-AD.\n\n\tApplicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes; manufacturer's numbers 532, 544, and 559 through 588 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 (d) 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 arcing in the ground stud assemblies of the airplane, which could result in heat damage to adjacent structure and a fire in the forward cargo compartment, the center accessory compartment, or the aft fuselage compartment, accomplish the following:\n\n\t(a)\tWithin 90 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time inspection and other specified actions to ensure that the ground stud assemblies in the forward cargo compartment, the center accessory compartment, and the aft fuselage compartment are installed properly and torqued as specified in Figure 1 of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A090, dated July 21, 1995; to verify the integrity of the components of the ground stud assemblies; and to detect heat damage to areas adjacent to the ground stud assemblies. Perform the inspection and other specified actions in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A090, dated July 21, 1995.\n\n\t(b)\tIf any discrepancy is found during the actions required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, correct the discrepancy in accordance with paragraph 3.A.3. of the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A090, dated July 21, 1995.\n\n\t(c)\tWithin 10 days after accomplishing the inspection required by this AD, report inspection results, positive or negative, to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; fax (310) 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 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(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)\tThe actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A090, dated July 21, 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(g)\tThis amendment becomes effective on September 5, 1995.

The FAA recently received reports indicating that arcing occurred across the pins in the galley external power receptacle when ground power was applied during turnaround operations on a McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplane. The ground crew also observed smoke and indicated that there was a burning smell. Results of a subsequent investigation revealed that both attach points on the ground wire of the main external and galley power receptacle were damaged extensively. In addition, burn damage was found on a large area of the insulation blankets outboard and aft of the receptacle area. Adjacent power cables also were found damaged by heat. The cause of the arcing has been attributed to improper installation and incorrect torquing of the attach hardware on the ground stud during manufacture. Such arcing, if not corrected, could result in heat damage to adjacent structure and a fire in the forward cargo compartment, the center accessory compartment, or the aft fuselage compartment.\n\n\tThe FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A090, dated July 21, 1995. This alert service bulletin describes procedures for a one-time inspection to ensure that the ground stud assemblies of seven ground studs at three locations of the airplane are installed properly and torqued as specified in the alert service bulletin, to verify the integrity of the components of the ground stud assemblies, and to detect heat damage to areas adjacent to the ground stud assemblies; and correction of any discrepancy. The alert service bulletin also specifies procedures for the accomplishment of other actions, which include assembling the ground stud assemblies using new lockwashers having certain part numbers and tightening the nuts to specified torque values. The ground studs to be inspected are located in the forward cargo compartment, the center accessory compartment, and the aft fuselage compartment of the airplane.Since 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 ensure that the ground stud assemblies in three locations of the airplane are attached correctly so that arcing, subsequent heat damage to adjacent structure, and a fire at those locations will not occur. This AD requires a one-time inspection and other specified actions to ensure that the ground stud assemblies of seven ground studs at three locations of the airplane are installed and torqued to certain specifications, to verify the integrity of the components of the ground stud assemblies, and to detect heat damage to areas adjacent to the ground stud assemblies; and correction of any discrepancy. The actions are required to be accomplished in accordance with the alert service bulletin described previously.\n\n\tThis AD also requires that operators report inspection results, positive or negative, to the FAA.\n\n\tThis is considered to be interim action until final action is identified, at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.\n\n\tAs a result of recent communications with the Air Transport Association (ATA) of America, the FAA has learned that, in general, some operators may misunderstand the legal effect of AD's on airplanes that are identified in the applicability provision of the AD, but that have been altered or repaired in the area addressed by the AD. The FAA points out that all airplanes identified in the applicability provision of an AD are legally subject to the AD. If an airplane has been altered or repaired in the affected area in such a way as to affect compliance with the AD, the owner or operator is required to obtain FAA approval for an alternative method of compliance with the AD, in accordance with the paragraph of each AD that provides for such approvals. A note has been included in this rule to clarify this long-standing requirement.\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\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-134-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\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\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.\n\nAdoption of the Amendment\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\t1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:\nAuthority: 49 USC 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.\n\n§ 39.13 - (Amended)\n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: