Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11990 · McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F Series Airplanes
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 and MD-11F Series Airplanes
Model MD-11 and MD-11F series airplanes, having manufacturer's fuselage numbers 0447 through 0552 inclusive, and 0554 through 0620 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 (f) 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 and MD-11F series airplanes, that currently requires opening the circuit breaker of the pneumatic sense line heater tape, installing an inoperative ring, and coiling and stowing the electrical wire to the circuit breaker of the pneumatic sense line heater tape. That AD also provides for an optional inspection, which, if accomplished, constitutes terminating action for deactivation of the pneumatic sense line heater tape. This amendment requires repetitive inspections of the subject area and corrective actions, if necessary, and provides for an optional terminating modification(s) for the repetitive inspection requirements. This amendment is prompted by the FAA's determination that the one-time optional terminating inspection in the existing AD does not adequately detect chafing, electrical arcing, or inadequate clearance of the subject area. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct such inadequate clearance, which could result in a hole in the fuel feed pipe caused by electrical arcing, and consequent fuel leakage and possible ignition of the fuel vapors.
To detect and correct inadequate clearance between the fuel feed pipe of the number 2 engine and the pneumatic sense line heater tape, which could result in a hole in the fuel feed pipe caused by electrical arcing, and consequent fuel leakage and possible ignition of the fuel vapors, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 7 days after April 28, 1998 (the effective date of AD 98-08-11, amendment 39-10491), open the circuit breaker of the pneumatic sense line heater tape, install an inoperative ring, and coil and stow the electrical wire to the circuit breaker of the pneumatic sense line heater tape, in accordance with Phase 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-36A030, dated April 2, 1998; Revision 01, dated September 28, 1998; Revision 02, dated July 27, 1999; or Revision 03, dated December 14, 1999. Accomplishment of these actions deactivates the pneumatic sense line heater tape.
Note 2: The pneumatic sense line heater tape of the number 2 engine has been deactivated. This deactivation may cause a nuisance shutdown of the bleed air system of the number 2 engine at top of descent.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this AD, within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a detailed visual inspection to detect chafing, electrical arcing, or inadequate clearance of the pneumatic sense lines and fuel feed pipe of the number 2 engine, in accordance with Phase 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-36A030, Revision 03, dated December 14, 1999. Repeat the inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 5,000 flight hours or 18 months, whichever occurs later. Accomplishment of the detailed visual inspection constitutes terminating action for the deactivation requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD.
Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual inspection is defined as: “An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.”
Note 4: Detailed visual inspections accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-36A030, dated April 2, 1998, Revision 01, dated September 28, 1998, or Revision 02, dated July 27, 1999; are considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD.
(c) If any discrepancy (i.e., as identified in Conditions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-36A030, Revision 03, dated December 14, 1999) is detected during any inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD, before further flight, perform the applicable corrective actions in accordance with Conditions 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-36A030, Revision 03, dated December 14, 1999, except as indicated in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
(1) Accomplishment of the modification of the high stage pilot valve of the left and right wings in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-36-018 R01, Revision 1, dated July 18, 1995, is NOT necessary to comply with the applicable corrective action in Condition 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
(2) Accomplishment of the modification and reidentification of the pilot pressure regulator valve of the left and right wings in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-36-025 R01, Revision 01, dated July 31, 1997, is NOT necessary to comply with the applicable corrective action in Condition 5 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
(d) Accomplishment of the action(s) specified in paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3), and (d)(4) of this AD, as applicable, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD.
(1) For airplanes having manufacturer's fuselage numbers 0447 through 0552 inclusive, and 0554 through 0573 inclusive: Before or in conjunction with the actions specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this AD, modify the high stage pilot valve located in the aft accessory compartment (including purging the sense lines and revising wiring of the high stage pilot valve), in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-36-018 R01, Revision 1, dated July 18, 1995.
Note 5: In addition to the procedures for modification of the high stage pilot valve located in the aft accessory compartment, McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-36-018 R01, Revision 1, dated July 18, 1995, also describes procedures for modification of the high stage pilot valve of the left and right wings. Accomplishment of modification of the high stage pilot valve of the left and right wings is NOT necessary to comply with the optional action provided by paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.
Note 6: Modification of the high stage pilot valve of the aft accessory compartment accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-36-018, dated March 28, 1995, is considered acceptable for compliance with the actions specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.
(2) For airplanes having manufacturer's fuselage numbers 0447 through 0552 inclusive, and 0554 through 0608 inclusive: Disconnect and splice together the heater tape wires of the pneumatic sense lines for the high stage and fan air valves from the terminals strips in the lower vertical stabilizer, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-36-026, dated September 30, 1996.
(3) For airplanes having manufacturer's fuselage numbers 0447 through 0552 inclusive, and 0554 through 0608 inclusive: Before or in conjunction with the actions specified in paragraph (d)(4) of this AD, modify and reidentify the pilot pressure regulator valve located in the aft accessory compartment (including purging the sense lines and revising the wiring of the pilot pressure regulator valve), in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-36-025 R01, Revision 01, dated July 31, 1997.
Note 7: In addition to the procedures for modification and reidentification of the pilot pressure regulator valve located in the aft accessory compartment, McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-36-025 R01, Revision 01, dated July 31, 1997, also describes procedures for modification and reidentification of the pilot pressure regulator valve of the left and right wings. Accomplishment of the modification and reidentification of the pilot pressure regulator valve of the left and right wings is NOT necessary to comply with the optional action provided by paragraph (d)(3) of this AD.
Note 8: Modification and reidentification of the pilot pressure regulator valve of the aft accessory compartment accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-36-025, dated February 14, 1997; is considered acceptable for compliance with the actions specified in paragraph (d)(3) of this AD.
(4) For airplanes having manufacturer's fuselage numbers 0447 through 0464 inclusive, 0466 through 0552 inclusive, and 0554 through 0620 inclusive: Disconnect the heater tape wires from their respective terminal strips and splice the wire ends together, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-36-028, dated December 7, 1998.
(e) Within 10 days after accomplishing any inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD, submit a report of the inspection results (only negative findings) to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; fax (562) 627-5210. Information collection requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
