Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 18 (Thursday, January 28, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4291-4293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-1976]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-NM-10-AD; Amendment 39-11014; AD 99-03-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
is applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. 
This action requires a one-time inspection to detect discrepancies of 
certain wiring and insulation in the cockpit and cabin, and repair, if 
necessary. This amendment is prompted by test results obtained in 
support of an accident investigation. The actions specified in this AD 
are intended to prevent electrical arcing of certain wiring, which 
could cause a fire and/or smoke in the cockpit or cabin.


[[Page 4292]]


DATES: Effective February 12, 1999.
    Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
before March 29, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-10-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington 98055-4056.
    The information concerning this amendment may be obtained from or 
examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, 
SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, 
Lakewood, California.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brett Portwood, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ANM-130L, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount 
Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5350; 
fax (562) 627-5210.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 2, 1998, a McDonnell Douglas 
Model MD-11 series airplane was involved in an accident following 
takeoff from John F. Kennedy International Airport in Jamaica, New 
York. The cause of the accident has not been determined.
    In support of the subsequent accident investigation, examinations 
were conducted on several Model MD-11 series airplanes; the 
examinations focused on the area from the cockpit to station 515 (near 
the forward doors of the airplane in the forward drop ceiling area). 
The FAA recently has been informed of the results of these 
examinations, which revealed chafed, cracked, broken, and cut 
electrical and bonding wires in several of these areas. These 
conditions, if not corrected, could result in electrical arcing of 
wiring and consequent fire and/or smoke in the cockpit or cabin.

Explanation of the Requirements of the Rule

    Since 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 electrical arcing of wiring, which could cause 
a fire and/or smoke in the cockpit or cabin. This AD requires 
accomplishment of a one-time visual inspection to detect discrepancies 
(including loose wire connections, loose ground wires, broken bonding 
wires, small wire bending radii, cracked support brackets, and chafed 
and cracked wire insulation) of the wiring and insulation in the 
cockpit and overhead drop ceiling panel areas at stations Y=304 through 
Y=516 and X=-27 left side through X=27 right side above the floor. The 
inspection is required to be performed in accordance with a method 
approved by the FAA.
    This AD also requires repair of any discrepancy in accordance with 
Chapter 20, Standard Wiring Practices of the MD-11 Wiring Diagram 
Manual, dated October 1, 1998.
    Further, this AD requires that operators report results of 
inspection findings (both positive and negative) to the FAA.

Interim Action

    This is considered to be interim action. The inspection reports 
that are required by this AD will enable the manufacturer to obtain 
better insight into the nature, cause, and extent of the discrepant 
wiring, and eventually to develop final action to address the unsafe 
condition. Once final action has been identified, the FAA may consider 
further rulemaking.

Determination of Rule's Effective Date

    Since 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.

Comments Invited

    Although 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.
    Comments 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.
    Commenters 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 99-NM-10-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

    The 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.
    The 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, 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:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:


[[Page 4293]]


    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

99-03-02  McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11014. Docket 99-NM-10-AD.

    Applicability: All Model MD-11 series airplanes, certificated in 
any category.

    Note 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 (d) 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.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent electrical arcing of certain wiring, which could 
cause a fire and/or smoke in the cockpit or cabin, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD: Perform 
the one-time visual inspections required by paragraphs (a)(1), 
(a)(2), and (a)(3) of this AD to detect discrepancies (including 
loose wire connections, loose ground wires, broken bonding wires, 
small wire bending radii, cracked support brackets, and chafed and 
cracked wire insulation); in accordance with a method approved by 
the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate.
    (1) Inspect all cabin wiring and insulation, including the wire 
harness protective wrap if applicable, on and above the forward 
cabin drop ceiling, from the cockpit bulkhead (at approximately 
station 392) to the aft edge of the forward drop ceiling (at 
approximately station 516). And
    (2) Inspect all cockpit wiring and insulation, including the 
wire harness protective wrap if applicable, within the overhead 
switch panel and overhead circuit breaker panel (at approximately 
stations 304 through 360). And
    (3) Inspect all cockpit wiring and insulation, including the 
wire harness protective wrap if applicable, in the following areas:
    •  Aft of the overhead circuit breaker panel (at 
approximately station 360);
    •  Forward of the cockpit entry bulkhead (at approximately 
station 392);
    •  16 inches left of centerline (at approximately station 
X = -16); and
    •  Above the top edge of the right clear-view window, 
including wiring within and outboard of the upper and lower avionics 
circuit breaker panels.

    Note 2: Inspection of wiring within conduits is not required by 
this AD.
    Note 3: Insulation blankets (which hide wiring that is generally 
routed through conduits) and wire harness protective wrap (including 
gray sleeving, spiral wrap, and centerline tape) are not required to 
be removed during the inspection.

    (b) If any discrepancy is detected during any inspection 
required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, 
repair in accordance with Chapter 20, Standard Wiring Practices of 
the MD-11 Wiring Diagram Manual, dated October 1, 1998.
    (c) Within 10 days after accomplishing the inspections required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD, submit a report of the inspection 
results (both positive and negative findings) to the Manager, Los 
Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-
4137; fax (562) 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.
    (d) 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 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.

    Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

    (e) 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.
    (f) This amendment becomes effective on February 12, 1999.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on January 21, 1999.
John J. Hickey,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-1976 Filed 1-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U