AD 2010-11-12 Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Corporation Model MD-11 and MD-11F Airplanes

Models named: MD-11, MD-11F. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

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.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Restatement of Requirements of AD 99-25-14 with No Changes Inspection and Corrective Actions (g) 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. New Requirements of This AD Modification (h) 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. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (i)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Samuel Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140L, FAA, Los Angeles ACO, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712-4137; telephone (562) 627-5262; fax (562) 627-5210. (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (j) You must use the applicable service information contained in Table 1 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. Table 1—All Material Incorporated by Reference Document Revision Date Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A140 Original November 6, 2008. McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A101. Original August 24, 1998. McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28-102 Revision 01 June 23, 1999. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A140, dated November 6, 2008, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) The Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A101, dated August 24, 1998; and McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28-102, Revision 01, dated June 23, 1999; on January 18, 2000 (64 FR 69389, December 13, 1999). (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-0001; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax 206-766-5683; e-mail dse.boecom@boeing.com; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. (5) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 14, 2010. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2010-12667 Filed 5-28-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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. The Federal Aviation Administration is 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.