Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule; correction.

SUMMARY:

This document corrects information in an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive general visual inspections of the power feeder cables, terminal strip, fuseholder, and fuses of the galley load control unit (GLCU) within the No. 3 bay electrical power center to detect damage; and corrective actions, if necessary. This document revises the statement of the unsafe condition to correct the location of where potential smoke and fire may occur and to correct the description of the locations of the power feeder cables. This correction is necessary to ensure that operators have a clear understanding of the unsafe condition.

DATES:

Effective: January 4, 2000.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications, as listed in the regulations, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of January 4, 2000 (64 FR 71001, December 20, 1999).

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 December 7, 1999, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued AD 99-26-03, amendment 39-11463 (64 FR 71001, December 20, 1999), which applies to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. That AD requires repetitive general visual inspections of the power feeder cables, terminal strip, fuseholder, and fuses of the galley load control unit (GLCU) within the No. 3 bay electrical power center to detect damage; and corrective actions, if necessary. That AD was prompted by an incident of no power to the aft galleys and two incidents of sparking sounds coming from the aft galleys due to damage of the No. 3 and 4 wire assembly terminal lugs and overheating of the power feeder cables on the G3 GLCU. The actions required by that AD are intended to prevent such damage due to the accumulated effects over time from overheating of the power feeder cables on the G3 GLCU, which could result in smoke and fire in the G3 galley.

Need for the Correction

Although the unsafe condition described in AD 99-26-03 specified that smoke and fire could occur in the G3 galley, the FAA recently has obtained information indicating that the correct location is in the Central Accessory Compartment (CAC). This action also revises the statement of the unsafe condition to specify the correct location of the power feeder cable. The unsafe condition described in AD 99-26-03 specified the “power feeder cable on the G3 galley load control unit (GLCU).” The correct locations of the power feeder cables are on the No. 3 and 4 GLCU. Therefore, the statement of the unsafe condition has been revised to read, “to prevent damage to the wire assembly terminal lugs and overheating of the power feeder cables on the No. 3. and 4 GLCU, which could result in smoke and fire in the CAC.

The FAA has determined that a correction to AD 99-26-03 is necessary. This action will provide operators with a clear understanding of the location where fire and smoke may occur if the specified unsafe condition is not prevented.

Correction of Publication

This document corrects the errors and correctly adds the AD as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13).

The AD is reprinted in its entirety for the convenience of affected operators. The effective date of the AD remains January 4, 2000.

Since this action only corrects the location of potential fire and smoke described in the description of the unsafe condition and revises certain associations with the power feeder wire assembly, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, the FAA has determined that notice and public procedures are unnecessary.

List of Subject in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Incorporation by reference
• Safety

Adoption of the Correction

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:

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

2. Section 39.13 is amended by correctly adding the following airworthiness directive (AD):

99-26-03 C1 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-11463. Docket 99-NM-262-AD.

Applicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A160, Revision 01, dated November 11, 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 damage to the wire assembly terminal lugs and power feeder cables due to the accumulated effects over time from overheating of the power feeder cables on the No. 3 and 4 galley load control unit (GLCU), which could result in smoke and fire in the central accessory compartment (CAC); accomplish the following:

(a) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a general visual inspection of the power feeder cables, terminal strip, fuseholder, and fuses of the GLCU within the No. 3 bay electrical power center to detect damage (i.e., discoloration of affected parts or loose attachments) in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A160, dated August 30, 1999; or Revision 01, dated November 11, 1999.

Note 2:

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 under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or drop-light, 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.”

(1) If no damage is detected during any inspection required by this AD, repeat the general visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours.

(2) If any damage is detected during any inspection required by this AD, prior to further flight, replace the power feeder cables, fuseholder, and/or fuses, as applicable, in accordance with the service bulletin. Repeat the general visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours.

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 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.

Incorporation by Reference

(d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A160, dated August 30, 1999; or McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-24A160, Revision 01, dated November 11, 1999. The incorporation by reference was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of January 4, 2000 (64 FR 71001, December 20, 1999). Copies 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 (2-0). Copies may be inspected 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(e) The effective date of this amendment remains January 4, 2000.