Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16463 · Fuel
McDonnell Douglas Corporation Model DC-8-31, DC-8-32, DC-8-33, DC-8-41, DC-8-42, and DC-8-43 Airplanes; Model DC-8-50 Series Airplanes; Model DC-8F-54 and DC-8F-55 Airplanes; Model DC-8-60 Series Airplanes; Model DC-8-60F Series Airplanes; Model DC-8-70 Series Airplanes; and Model DC-8-70F Series Airplanes
This AD applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-31, DC-8-32, DC-8-33, DC-8-41, DC-8-42, and DC-8-43 airplanes; Model DC-8-51, DC-8-52, DC-8-53, and DC-8-55 airplanes; Model DC-8F-54 and DC-8F-55 airplanes; Model DC-8-61, DC-8-62, and DC-8-63 airplanes; Model DC-8-61F, DC-8-62F, and DC-8-63F airplanes; Model DC-8-71, DC-8-72, and DC-8-73 airplanes; and Model DC-8-71F, DC-8-72F, and DC-8-73F airplanes; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with paragraph (o) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.
The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all of the McDonnell Douglas Corporation airplanes identified above. The existing AD currently requires revising the maintenance program to incorporate new airworthiness limitations for fuel tank systems to satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 requirements. This new AD adds requirements to revise the maintenance program to incorporate specific Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCL) information and install fuel tank float switch in- line fuses. This new AD also adds two Airworthiness Limitations inspections (ALIs). This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Before December 16, 2008, revise the maintenance program to incorporate the information specified in Appendixes B, C, and D of the Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K9030, Revision A, dated August 8, 2006.
Although the Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K9030, Revision A, dated August 8, 2006, specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action.
(i) Except as provided by paragraph (m) of this AD, after accomplishing the applicable actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative inspections, inspection intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (o) of this AD.
Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the maintenance program to incorporate the information required by paragraphs (j)(1), (j)(2), and (j)(3) of this AD.
(1) CDCCL 20-10, “DC-8 Float Switch Circuit” in Appendix B of Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K9030, Revision C, dated January 5, 2010; or Revision D, dated June 9, 2010.
(2) ALI 30-1 “DC-8 Pneumatic System Decay Check” in Appendix C of Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K9030, Revision C, dated January 5, 2010; or Revision D, dated June 9, 2010.
(3) ALI 28-1, “DC-8 Alternate and Center Auxiliary Tank Fuel Pump Control Systems Check,” in Appendix C of Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K9030, Revision C, dated January 5, 2010; or Revision D, dated June 9, 2010.
For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin DC8-28-090, dated October 9, 2009: Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, install the fuel tank float switch in-line fuses in the leading edges of the front spars of the left and right wings, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin DC8-28-090, dated October 9, 2009.
After accomplishing the actions specified in paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative inspections, inspection intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (o) of this AD.
(m) Revising the maintenance program to incorporate the information specified in Appendixes B, C, and D of the Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K9030, Revision B, dated July 23, 2009; Revision C, dated January 5, 2010; or Revision D, dated June 9, 2010; is acceptable for compliance with the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
Although the Boeing DC-8 Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K9030, Revision B, dated July 23, 2009; Revision C, dated January 5, 2010; and Revision D, dated June 9, 2010; specify to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action.
