McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and -11F Airplanes - 2006-NM-091-AD

Comment on [Docket No. FAA-2006-25089; Directorate Identifier 2006-NM-091-AD] RIN 2120-AA64 This action can not be accomplished without access and reference to certain service information created by the type certificate holder. Manufacturer service documents are privately authored instruments generally enjoying copyright protection against duplication and distribution. When a service document is incorporated by reference pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51into a public document such as an airworthiness directive, it loses its private, protected status and becomes itself a public document. If a service document is used as a mandatory element of compliance it should not simply be referenced, but should be incorporated into the regulatory document. Public laws by definition must be public which means they cannot rely upon private writings. Incorporated by reference service documents should be made available to the public by publication in either the Federal Register or the Document Management System (DMS) keyed to the action that incorporates them. The stated purpose of the incorporation by reference method is brevity; to keep from expanding the Federal Register needlessly by publishing documents already in the hands of the affected individuals. Traditionally, "affected individuals" has meant aircraft owners and operators who are generally provided service information by the manufacturer. However, a new class of affected individuals has emerged since the majority of aircraft maintenance is now performed by specialty shops instead of aircraft owners and operators. This new class includes maintenance and repair organizations (MRO), component servicing and repair shops, parts purveyors and distributors and organizations manufacturing or servicing alternatively certified parts under 14 CFR § 21.303 (PMA). Further, the concept of brevity is now nearly archaic as documents exist more frequently in electronic format than on paper. We therefore request that the mentioned service documents in this action be incorporated by reference into the regulatory instrument and published either in the Federal Register or on the DMS. Jack Buster AD Committee Modification and Replacement Parts Association