Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16317 · Fuel
McDonnell Douglas Corporation Model MD-11 and MD-11F Airplanes
This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Corporation Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A140, dated November 6, 2008.
The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes. That AD currently requires a one-time inspection to determine if metallic transitions are installed on wire harnesses of the tail tank fuel transfer pumps, and to determine if damaged wires are present; and repair, if necessary. That AD also requires repetitive inspections of the repaired area; and a permanent modification of the wire harnesses if metallic transitions are not installed, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. This new AD requires modifying the case grounding for the alternate fuel pump of the tail tank, the leak detection thermal switch grounding for the number 2 engine, and wire braid grounding in the empennage and number 2 engine inlet. This AD also removes one airplane from the applicability of the existing AD. This AD results from reports that the wire assembly for the alternate fuel pump is missing a case ground wire, and the lightning protection wire braid for wire assemblies located in the empennage and number 2 engine inlet are grounded improperly. We are issuing this AD to prevent insufficient grounding of the fuel pump, which in combination with an electrical failure within the fuel pump and a compromised electrical bond could cause a fuel tank ignition, resulting in consequent fire or explosion.
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 30 days after January 18, 2000 (the effective date of AD 99-25-14), perform a one-time visual inspection of the wire harnesses of the tail tank fuel transfer pumps to determine if metallic transitions are installed, and to determine if damaged wires are present, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A101, dated August 24, 1998.
(1) If all metallic transitions are installed, no further action is required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) If metallic transitions are not installed, accomplish the following:
(i) Prior to further flight, accomplish the temporary repair in accordance with condition 2 of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A101, dated August 24, 1998;
(ii) Repeat the visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2 years; and
(iii) Within 5 years after January 18, 2000, permanently modify the wire harnesses in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28-102, Revision 01, dated June 23, 1999. Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD.
Note 1: Modification of the wire harnesses accomplished prior to January 18, 2000, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28-102, dated January 29, 1999, is considered acceptable for compliance with the modification required by paragraph (g)(2)(iii) of this AD.
Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the case grounding for the alternate fuel pump of the tail tank, the leak detection thermal switch grounding for the number 2 engine, and wire braid grounding in the empennage and number 2 engine inlet, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A140, dated November 6, 2008.
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.
