Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15206 · McDonnell Douglas Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F Airplanes, Model MD-11 and MD-11F Airplanes, and Model 717-200 Airplanes
McDonnell Douglas Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F Airplanes, Model MD-11 and MD-11F Airplanes, and Model 717-200 Airplanes
This AD applies to the airplanes listed in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) All McDonnell Douglas Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes, and Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes.
(2) Model 717-200 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 717-31-0013, dated March 25, 2005.
The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model MD-10-10F and MD-10- 30F airplanes, Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, and Model 717-200 airplanes. That AD currently 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 new AD requires, for certain Model 717-200 airplanes, upgrading the versatile integrated avionics (VIA) digital computer with new system software, which would end the need for the AFM revision. This AD results from 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 September 20, 2004 (the effective date of AD 2004-18-04), revise the Limitations section of the AFM to include the following statement. This may be done by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM. Doing the applicable software upgrade specified in paragraph (g) of this AD (for Model 717-200 airplanes), paragraph (j) of AD 2006-16-15, amendment 39-14715 (for Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes), or paragraph (k) of AD 2006-16-15 (for Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes), terminates the requirements of this paragraph for that airplane. For airplanes on which the applicable software upgrade has been done, the AFM revision may be removed.
“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.
For Model 717-200 airplanes: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, upgrade the versatile integrated avionics (VIA) digital computer with new system software (part number (P/N) PS4081970-909) and in-service data acquisition system (ISDAS) database (DB) software (P/N PS4081642-909), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 717-31-0013, dated March 25, 2005. Accomplishing this upgrade or the installation of VIA P/N 4081570-909 or subsequent terminates the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD for that airplane only.
Note 2: Boeing Service Bulletin 717-31-0013, dated March 25, 2005, refers to Honeywell Alert Service Bulletin 4081570-31-A6007, dated March 9, 2005, as an additional source of service information for doing the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
For Model 717-200 airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a VIA digital computer, P/N 4081570-904, -905, -906, or -907, on any airplane, except as required by the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
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.
