Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11656 · McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes
Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A069, dated March 10, 2000; 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.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes. This action requires deactivation of the map light assemblies; or modification and reidentification of the insulation blankets adjacent to certain map light assemblies, if applicable, a general visual inspection to detect damage of the Captain, First Officer, and Right Observer map light assemblies, and follow-on actions. This amendment is prompted by incidents in which a broken or cracked light bulb housing of the First Officer map light was found. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect a broken light bulb housing, which could expose the power contactor. An exposed power contactor could cause the Captain, First Officer, or Right Observer map light to short or overheat, which could result in smoke or fire in the cockpit.
To detect a broken light bulb housing and the resultant exposed power contactor, which could cause the Captain, First Officer, or Right Observer map light to short or overheat, and consequent smoke or fire in the cockpit, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions specified in either paragraph (a)(1), or (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this AD, as applicable, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A069, March 10, 2000.
(1) For Groups 1 and 2 airplanes identified in the alert service bulletin: Disconnect, coil, and stow power wires to each Captain, First Officer, and Right Observer map light assembly, until the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this AD, as applicable, have been accomplished.
Note 2: Repetitive inspections of the deactivated map light assemblies are not required.
(2) For Group 1 airplanes identified in the alert service bulletin: Modify and reidentify the insulation blankets adjacent to the Captain and First Officer map light assemblies; and perform a general visual inspection to detect damage of the Captain, First Officer, and Right Observer map light assemblies.
Note 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 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.”
(i) Condition 1 (No Damage Found). If no damage is detected, repeat the general visual inspection of the map light assemblies and adjacent insulation blankets thereafter at intervals not to exceed 700 flight hours.
(ii) Condition 2 (Damage Found). If any damage is detected, prior to further flight, accomplish the actions specified in either paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(A) or (a)(2)(ii)(B) of this AD in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
(A) Option 1 (Replace Damaged Map Light Assemblies). Replace the map light assembly with a new or serviceable light assembly. Repeat the general visual inspection of the map light assemblies and adjacent insulation blankets thereafter at intervals not to exceed 700 flight hours.
(B) Option 2 (Deactivate Damaged Map Light Assemblies). Disconnect, coil, and stow power wires to each damaged Captain, First Officer, and Right Observer map light assembly, until the requirements of paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(A) of this AD have been accomplished.
(3) For Group 2 airplanes identified in the alert service bulletin: Perform a general visual inspection to detect damage of the Captain, First Officer, and Right Observer map light assemblies, and perform the actions specified in either paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this AD, as applicable, at the time(s) indicated in that paragraph.
Note 4: For Group 2 airplanes identified in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A069, dated March 10, 2000: Modification and reidentification of the insulation blankets are not required. Prior to delivery of Group 2 airplanes, the insulation blankets were modified.
