Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-13782 · McDonnell Douglas Model MD-10-10F, MD-10-30F, MD-11, MD-11F, and 717-200 Airplanes
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-10-10F, MD-10-30F, MD-11, MD-11F, and 717-200 Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2007-19-15. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-10-10F, MD-10-30F, MD-11F, and 717-200 airplanes; certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all McDonnell Douglas MD-10-10F, MD-10-30F, MD-11, MD-11F, and 717-200 airplanes. This AD requires a revision to the Limitations section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit use of the flight management system (FMS) profile (PROF) mode for descent and/or approach operations unless certain conditions are met. This AD is promoted by a report of two violations of the selected flight control panel (FCP) altitude during FMS PROF descents. We are issuing this AD to prevent, under certain conditions during the FMS PROF descent, the uncommanded descent of an airplane below the selected level-off altitude, which could result in an unacceptable reduction in the separation between the airplane and nearby air traffic or terrain.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Limitations section of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the following statement. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.
“Use of PROF mode for descent and/or approach operations is prohibited unless
1. The airplane is on path and the FMA indicates THRUST | xxx | PROF, or
2. The indicated airspeed is below Vmax for the airplane configuration by at least:
a. 10 knots at indicated altitudes below 10,000 feet, or
b. 15 knots at indicated altitudes of 10,000 feet or above, or
3. Basic autoflight modes (e.g., LVL CHG V/S, or FPA) are used to recapture the path when the PROF mode is engaged and the airplane is:
a. Above or below the path and the FMA indicates PITCH | xxx | IDLE, or
b. Below the path and the FMA indicates THRUST | xxx | V/S.”
Note 1: When a statement identical to that in paragraph (f) of this AD has been included in the general revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, and the copy of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
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.
