AD 2003-04-17

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, that requires an inspection to detect damage of the wiring/bundles routed to the wire support bar of the circuit breaker panel and to the circuit breakers, and an inspection of the wiring/bundles for correct routing. This amendment also requires installation of protective sleeving, spacers, and sta-straps; and corrective/follow-on actions, if necessary. The actions specified by this AD are necessary to prevent chafing and consequent arcing or loss of electrical power to associated avionics buses in the upper avionics circuit breaker panel of the main observer's station, which could result in smoke and/or fire in the cockpit. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.

Final rule.

2003-04-17 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-13066. Docket 2001-NM-166-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A179, Revision 02, dated December 19, 2001; 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 (c) 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 and consequent arcing or loss of electrical power to associated avionics buses in the upper avionics circuit breaker panel, which could result in smoke and/or fire in the cockpit, accomplish the following: \n\nInspection, Corrective Actions, Modification, and Installation \n\n\t(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, do the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(3) of this AD, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A179, Revision 02, dated December 19, 2001, excluding Evaluation Form. \n\n\t(1) Do a detailed inspection to detect damage of the wiring/bundles routed to the wire support bar of the circuit breaker panel and to the circuit breakers. \n\n\tNote 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is defined as: "An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.'' \n\n\t(2) Do a general visual inspection of the wiring/bundles for correct routing. Make sure ABS9108 (16-gauge power feeders) routing provides adequate stress relief from the support bar to bus termination points. \n\n\tNote 3: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is defined as: "A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.'' \n\n\t(3) Install protective sleeving, spacers, and sta-straps. \n\nCorrective/Follow-On Actions, If Necessary \n\n\t(b) Before further flight after doing the inspections required by paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD, do the applicable corrective/follow-on action(s) specified in "Table-Corrective/Follow-On Actions'' of this AD per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A179, Revision 02, dated December 19, 2001, excluding Evaluation Form. Table--Corrective/Follow-On Actions is as follows: \n\nTable.--Corrective/Follow-On Actions\n\n\nIf-\nThen-\n(1) Any damaged wiring/bundle is detected\nRepair or replace any damaged wiring/bundle with new wiring.\n(2) Correct routing is detected\nReplace the wire clamp located on the support bar of the circuit breaker panel with a new clamp.\n(3) Incorrect routing is detected\nModify wire routing, and replace the wire clamp located on the support bar of the circuit breaker panel with a new clamp.\n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance \n\n\t(c) An 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. 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\nSpecial Flight Permit \n\n\t(d) Special 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\nIncorporation byReference \n\n\t(e) The actions shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A179, Revision 02, dated December 19, 2001, excluding Evaluation Form. 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 Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). 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, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. \n\nEffective Date \n\n\t(f) This amendment becomes effective on May 27, 2003.

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes was published in the Federal Register on August 29, 2002 (67 FR 55372). That action proposed to require an inspection to detect damage of the wiring/bundles routed to the wire support bar of the circuit breaker panel and to the circuit breakers, and an inspection of the wiring/bundles for correct routing. That action also proposed to require installation of protective sleeving, spacers, and sta-straps; and corrective/follow-on actions, if necessary. \n\nExplanation of Editorial Change \n\n\tWe have changed the service bulletin citation throughout this final rule to exclude the Evaluation Form. (The form is intended to be completed by operators and submitted to the manufacturer to provide input on the quality of the service bulletin; however, this AD does notinclude such a requirement.) \n\nOpportunity To Comment \n\n\tInterested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public. \n\nConclusion \n\n\tThe FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed. \n\nCost Impact \n\n\tThere are approximately 195 Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 72 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $12,960, or $180 per airplane. \n\n\tThe cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time necessitated by other administrative actions. \n\nRegulatory Impact \n\n\tThe regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. \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\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n§ 39.13 (Amended) \n\n\t2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new airworthiness directive: