[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 224 (Monday, November 22, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63764-63765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30367]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-NM-246-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Series
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas MD-11
series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of the upper
and lower reading lights in the forward crew rest area with a
redesigned light fixture. This proposal is prompted by reports of
burning and smoldering blankets in the forward crew rest area due to a
reading light fixture that came into contact with the blankets after
the light was inadvertently left on. The actions specified by the
proposed AD are intended to prevent a possible flammable condition,
which could result in smoke and fire in the crew rest area.
DATES: Comments must be received by January 6, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-NM-246-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division,
3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention:
Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60).
This information may be 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: Albert Lam, 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) 627-5346;
fax (562) 627-5210.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed 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 above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 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 summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 99-NM-246-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 99-NM-246-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The FAA has received reports indicating that burning and smoldering
blankets were found in the forward crew rest area on McDonnell Douglas
Model MD-11 series airplanes. Investigation revealed that a reading
light fixture came into contact with the blankets after the light was
inadvertently left on. This condition, if not corrected, could result
in smoke and fire in the crew rest area.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
The FAA has reviewed and approved McDonnell Douglas Alert Service
Bulletin MD11-25A233, dated June 9, 1999, which describes procedures
for
[[Page 63765]]
replacement of the upper and lower reading lights in the forward crew
rest area with a redesigned light fixture. The redesigned light fixture
allows a halogen light bulb with lower wattage to be recessed within
the fixture to avoid any contact with combustible materials.
Accomplishment of the action specified in the service bulletin is
intended to adequately address the identified unsafe condition.
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A233 refers to AIM
Aviation Service Incorporated Service Bulletin AIM-MD11-25-2, Revision
C, dated March 8, 1999; as an additional source of service information
for accomplishment of the replacement.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would require accomplishment of the action specified in the
service bulletin described previously.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 71 airplanes of the affected design in the
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 14 airplanes of U.S. registry
would be affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately
1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and
that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts would
cost approximately $238 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,172,
or $298 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed requirements of
this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in
the future if this AD were not adopted.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would not have sufficient federalism
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
regulation (1) is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
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:
McDonnell Douglas: Docket 99-NM-246-AD.
Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in
McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A233, dated June 9,
1999; 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 (b) 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 a possible flammable condition, which could result in
smoke and fire in the crew rest area, accomplish the following:
Replacement
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace
the upper and lower reading lights in the forward crew rest area
with a redesigned light fixture, in accordance with McDonnell
Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A233, dated June 9, 1999.
Note 2: McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-25A233
refers to AIM Aviation Service Incorporated Service Bulletin AIM-
MD11-25-2, Revision C, dated March 8, 1999; as an additional source
of service information for accomplishment of the replacement of the
upper and lower reading light in the forward crew rest area.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(b) 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, 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.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
Special Flight Permits
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 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.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 16, 1999.
D.L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-30367 Filed 11-19-99; 8:45 am]
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