Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11689 · McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2000-24-17. Comply with the one in force.
Model MD-11 series airplanes, certificated in any category, having the serial numbers listed below.
| Group 1 Airplanes: | |||||
| 48565 | 48566 | 48533 | 48549 | 48470 | 48406 |
| 48504 | 48602 | 48603 | 48571 | 48439 | 48605 |
| 48572 | 48471 | 48573 | 48600 | 48601 | 48633 |
| 48513 | 48574 | 48575 | 48542 | 48543 | 48576 |
| 48415 | 48631 | 48544 | 48632 | 48577 | 48545 |
| 48578 | 48546 | 48743 | 48744 | 48747 | 48748 |
| 48745 | 48746 | 48749 | 48579 | 48766 | 48768 |
| 48767 | 48769 | 48754 | 48623 | 48770 | 48753 |
| 48773 | 48774 | 48755 | 48758 | 48775-48779 inclusive | |
| 48624 | 48756 | 48780 | 48532 | ||
| Group 2 Airplanes: | |||||
| 48555 | 48556 | 48581 | 48630 | 48557 | 48539 |
| 48558 | 48559 | 48616 | 48560 | 48617 | 48618 |
| 48561 | 48629 | 48562 | 48563 | 48757 | 48540 |
| 48564 | 48634 | 48541 | 48798 | 48781-48792 inclusive | |
| 48794 | 48799 | 48801 | 48800 | 48802-48806 inclusive |
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.
This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, that currently requires the deactivation of the forward and center cargo control units (CCU). That amendment was prompted by a report of failure of a CCU, which produced overheating of the electrical pins inside the CCU; the subsequent release of hot gases and flames ignited an adjacent insulation blanket. This amendment expands the applicability of the existing AD to include additional airplanes. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent overheating of the electrical pins inside the CCU's and subsequent release of hot gases and flames, which could result in smoke and fire in the cargo compartment.
To prevent overheating of the electrical pins inside the cargo control units (CCU) and subsequent release of hot gases and flames, which could result in smoke and fire in the cargo compartment, accomplish the following:
(a) For Group 1 airplanes having serial numbers other than that identified in paragraph (c) of this AD: Within 15 days after March 20, 2000 (the effective date of AD 2000-05-01, amendment 39-11610), deactivate the forward and center CCU's in accordance with the following procedures:
(1) Remove the access panel to the forward cargo compartment CCU circuit breaker panel located at fuselage station 1009.300 (right side looking aft). Pull and collar the following circuit breakers:
B1-506
B1-485
B1-500
B1-489
B1-480
B1-495
B1-488
B1-481
B1-499
B1-487
B1-498
B1-490
B1-486
B1-482
(2) Remove the access panel to the center cargo compartment CCU circuit breaker panel located at fuselage station 1701.000 (right side looking aft). Pull and collar the following circuit breakers:
B1-552
B1-758
B1-753
B1-762
B1-518
B1-764
B1-761
B1-519
B1-752
B1-760
B1-751
B1-763
B1-759
B1-520
(b) For Group 2 airplanes having serial numbers other than that identified in paragraph (c) of this AD: Within 15 days after March 20, 2000, deactivate the forward and center CCU's in accordance with the following procedures:
(1) Remove the access panel to the forward cargo compartment CCU circuit breaker panel located at fuselage station 1009.300 (right side looking aft). Pull and collar the following circuit breakers:
B1-506
B1-485
B1-500
B1-489
B1-480
B1-495
B1-488
B1-481
B1-499
B1-487
B1-498
B1-490
B1-486
B1-482
(2) Remove the access panel to the center cargo compartment CCU circuit breaker panel located at fuselage station 1701.000 (right side looking aft). Pull and collar the following circuit breakers:
B1-552
B1-758
B1-753
B1-762
B1-518
B1-764
B1-761
B1-519
B1-752
B1-760
B1-751
B1-759
B1-520
(c) For Group 1 airplane, serial number 48769, and for Group 2 airplane, serial number 48563: Within 15 days after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the actions specified in either paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, as applicable.
(d)(1) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.
(2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in accordance with AD 2000-05-01, amendment 39-11610, are approved as alternative methods of compliance with paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, as applicable.
