AD 97-09-07 Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes

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

Model MD-11 series airplanes; as listed in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28-089, dated October 24, 1996; certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent cracking of the support brackets in the refuel and fuel transfer lines of the tail fuel tank and damage to the nylon clamps and transfer pipe assembly, which, if not corrected, could result in further damage to the transfer pipe assembly and possible fuel leakage, accomplish the following: Restatement of Requirements of AD 96-10-07 (a) For Group 1 airplanes listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A083, dated March 13, 1996: Within 90 days after May 24, 1996 (the effective date of AD 96-10-07, amendment 39- 9612), accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD in accordance with Paragraph 3. of the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11- 28A083, dated March 13, 1996, or McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A083, Revision 01, dated May 29, 1996. (1) Perform a visual inspection for cracking, bending, or stress of the support brackets and damage to the nylon clamps of the transfer pipe of the tail tank, in accordance with the alert service bulletin. If any damaged bracket or clamp is detected, prior to further flight, replace it with a serviceable part in accordance with the alert service bulletin. (2) Perform a visual inspection for chafing and/or denting of the transfer pipe assembly of the tail tank, in accordance with the alert service bulletin. (i) Condition 1. If no damage to the fuel pipe assembly is detected, accomplish the requirements of either paragraph (a)(2)(i)(A) or (a)(2)(i)(B) of this AD at the times specified in that paragraph. (A) Condition 1, Option 1. Thereafter, repeat the visual inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours; or (B) Condition 1, Option 2. Install a temporary doubler on the fuel pipe assembly in accordance with the alert service bulletin and, thereafter, repeat the visual inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 15 months. (ii) Condition 2. If damage is found that is within the limits specified by the alert service bulletin, prior to further flight, install a temporary doubler on the fuel pipe assembly. Thereafter, repeat the visual inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 15 months. (iii) Condition 3. If damage is found that is outside the limits specified by the alert service bulletin, prior to further flight, replace the fuel pipe assembly with a new or serviceable assembly; and accomplish the requirements of either paragraph (a)(2)(iii)(A) or (a)(2)(iii)(B) of this AD at the time specified in that paragraph. (A) Condition 3, Option 1. Thereafter, repeat the visual inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 600 flight hours; or (B) Condition 3, Option 2. Install a temporary doubler on the fuel pipe assembly; and repeat the visual inspections required by paragraph (a) of this AD, thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 15 months. (Replacement of the fuel pipe assembly with a serviceable pipe assembly that has been repaired by welding a doubler in the area of potential damage, does not require the installation of a temporary doubler.) New Requirements of This AD (b) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD, as applicable. (1) For airplanes on which the temporary protective doubler has been installed on the fuel pipe assembly in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A083, dated March 13, 1996: Remove the clamps and the temporary protective doubler installed on the fuel transfer pipe, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28-089, dated October 24, 1996. Prior to further flight following accomplishment of the removal, accomplish the requirements of paragraph (a)(2) of this AD. (2) For all airplanes: Install the fuel transfer pipe of the tail tank and support brackets and clamps of the fuel feed pipe of engine No. 2, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28-089, dated October 24, 1996. Accomplishment of this installation constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD. (c)(1) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO. (2) Alternative methods of compliance that concern the use of an alternate material in lieu of the specified temporary doubler, which were approved previously in accordance with AD 96-10-07, amendment 39-9612, are not considered to be approved as alternative methods of compliance with this AD. (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO. Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO. (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (f) Certain actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A083, dated March 13, 1996, or McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A083, Revision 01, dated May 29, 1996. Certain other actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-28-089, dated October 24, 1996. The incorporation by [[Page 24021]] reference of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-28A083, dated March 13, 1996, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of May 24, 1996 (61 FR 21066, May 9, 1996). The incorporation by reference of the remainder of the service documents listed above is approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business Administration, Department C1-L51 (2-60). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (g) This amendment becomes effective on June 6, 1997. Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 21, 1997. Darrell M. Pederson, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 97-10788 Filed 5-1-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U