AD 2011-25-06

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the rub strips attached to the horizontal stabilizer front spar access door location were manufactured improperly using anodized aluminum. This AD requires replacing the anodized rub strips with new alodined rub strips to prevent inadequate electrical bonding between the rub strips and the fuel access door, which can contribute to possible ignition of flammable fuel vapor in the tail fuel tank as a result of a lightning strike. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): \n\n2011-25-06 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-16882; Docket No. FAA- 2011-0649; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-076-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective January 17, 2012. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThe Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin MD11-55-027, dated March 17, 2011. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tJoint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 5510: Horizontal stabilizer structure. \n\n(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by a report that the rub strips attached to the horizontal stabilizer front spar access door location were manufactured improperly using anodized aluminum. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadequate electrical bonding between the rub strips and the fuel access door, which can contribute to possible ignition of flammable fuel vapor in the tail fuel tank as a result of a lightning strike. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Installation \n\n\n\tWithin 60 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the anodized rub strips with new alodined rub strips, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin MD11-55-027, dated March 17, 2011. \n\n(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. \n\t(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. \n\n(i) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Philip Kush, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles ACO, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; phone: (562) 627-5263; fax: (562) 627-5210; email: philip.kush@faa.gov. \n\n(j) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\tYou must use the following service information to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 of the following service information on the date specified: \n\t(1) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin MD11-55-027, dated March 17, 2011, approved for IBR January 17, 2012, \n\t(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846- 0001; phone: (206) 544-5000, extension 2; fax: (206) 766-5683; email: dse.boecom@boeing.com; Internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com. \n\t(3) You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (425) 227-1221. \n\t(4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at an NARA facility, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http:// www.archives.gov/ \n\n((Page 77369)) \n\nfederal--register/code--of--federal--regulations/ibr-- locations.html.

Discussion \n\n\n\tWe issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 30, 2011 (76 FR 38332). That NPRM proposed to require replacing the anodized rub strips of the tail fuel tank access door with new alodined rub strips. \n\nRevisions to AD Language \n\n\n\tIn the NPRM (76 FR 38332, June 30, 2011) we specified that this AD was prompted by a report that the rub strips of the tail fuel tank access door were manufactured improperly. We are revising the statement to more accurately reflect the location of the rub strips. We have revised the summary section and paragraph (e) of this AD accordingly. \n\tAlso, to more accurately describe the rub strips, we have revised paragraph (g) of this AD to state, ''replace the anodized rub strips with new alodined rub strips.'' \n\nComments \n\n\n\tWe gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. The following presents the comment received on the proposal and the FAA's response to the comment. \n\nRequest To Revise Part Number \n\n\n\tUPS requested that Boeing revise the part number of the alodined rub strip specified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin MD11- 55-027, dated March 17, 2011. UPS stated that the existing anodized rub strip has the same part number as the new alodined rub strip, and this may cause confusion for the operators. UPS stated that changing the part number of the new alodined rub strip would prevent an anodized rub strip from being installed instead of the required alodined rub strip. \n\tWe disagree with the commenter's request to revise the part number of the alodined rub strip. Boeing has verified that prior to issuance of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin MD11-55-027, dated March 17, 2011, two alodined rub strips have been sold to the MD-11 operators. The rub strips are not part of the access door. They are riveted to the horizontal stabilizer front spar web and are not re- installable after drilling out rivets during replacement. Since only alodined rub strips are available and since the anodized rub strips are destroyed during removal, reinstalling anodized rub strips is not possible. We have determined that the only airplanes with anodized rub strips are the airplanes listed in the Applicability section of this AD. No change has been made to the AD in this regard. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tWe reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tWe estimate that this AD affects 120 airplanes of U.S. registry. \n\tWe estimate the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\n((Page 77368)) \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\tEstimated Costs ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost per Cost on U.S. \n\tAction Labor cost Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Replace rub strips....................... 32 work-hours x $85 per $0 $2,720 $326,400 \n\thour = $2,720. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\n\n\tAccording to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost estimate. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority. \n\tWe are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: ''General requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tThis AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect 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. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\t(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, \n\t(2) Is not a ''significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979), \n\t(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and \n\t(4) 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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.