Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11845 · McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes
Model MD-11 series airplanes, manufacturer's fuselage numbers 0447 through 0464 inclusive, 0466 through 0475 inclusive; 0476 through 0489 inclusive; and 0491 through 0509 inclusive; 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 (e) 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 a one-time inspection to verify correct wire terminations of certain circuit breakers in the cockpit overhead switch panel; and correction of incorrect wire termination. That AD also requires that operators submit a report of the inspection results to the FAA. That AD was prompted by incidents in which the wiring of circuit breakers on the overhead switch panel lighting were found to be terminated improperly during production of the airplane, which bypassed the circuit breaker protection. This amendment expands the applicability of the existing AD to include additional airplanes, and removes the reporting requirement. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent smoke and possible fire in the overhead switch panel lighting circuitry due to an overload condition, as a result of lack of circuit breaker protection.
To prevent smoke and possible fire in the overhead switch panel lighting circuitry due to an overload condition, as a result of lack of circuit breaker protection, accomplish the following:
(a) For airplanes having manufacturer's fuselage numbers 0447 through 0464 inclusive, and 0466 through 0475 inclusive: Within 60 days after May 7, 1999 (the effective date AD 99-09-04), perform a one-time inspection to verify correct wire terminations of certain circuit breakers in the cockpit overhead switch panel, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A027, dated March 10, 1999; Revision 01, dated June 2, 1999; or Revision 02, dated June 12, 2000. As of the effective date of this AD, only Revision 02 of the service bulletin shall be used.
(b) For airplanes having manufacturer's fuselage numbers 0476 through 0489 inclusive, and 0491 through 0509 inclusive: Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time inspection to verify correct wire terminations of certain circuit breakers in the cockpit overhead switch panel, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A027, Revision 02, dated June 12, 2000.
Note 2: Inspection of certain circuit breakers in the cockpit overhead switch panel prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A027, dated March 10, 1999, or Revision 01, dated June 2, 1999; is considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD.
(c) If, during the inspection required by either paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, all affected circuit breakers are found to have correct wire terminations, no further action is required by this AD.
(d) If, during the inspection required by either paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, any affected circuit breaker is found to have an incorrect wire termination, prior to further flight, correct termination in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A027, Revision 02, dated June 12, 2000.
Note 3: Correction of incorrect wire termination prior to the effective date of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-33A027, dated March 10, 1999, or Revision 01, dated June 2, 1999; is considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (d) of this AD.
