AD 98-16-01 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 MD-11 Alert Service Bulletin MD11-27A067, Revision 03, dated June 9, 1998; certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 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 (i) 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 excessive play and wear on the horizontal stabilizer actuator assembly, which could result in a free-floating horizontal stabilizer, and consequent loss of aircraft pitch control, accomplish the following: Note 2: Where there are differences between the service bulletins and the AD, the AD prevails. (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Perform an inspection to measure for free play (wear on nut assembly) of the horizontal stabilizer actuator assembly, left and right sides, in accordance with any of the following McDonnell Douglas service bulletins: McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-27-067, dated July 31, 1997; McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-27-067, Revision 01, dated February 24, 1998; McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-27A067, Revision 02, dated May 18, 1998; or McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-27A067, Revision 03, dated June 9, 1998. (b) For airplanes that have accumulated 2,000 or more total landings at the time of accomplishment of the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD: If any wear is detected during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, and it is less than or within the limits identified in Table 1, Condition 1, of the Work Instructions of any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD, no further action is required by this AD. (c) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 2,000 total landings at the time of accomplishment of the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD: If any wear is detected during any inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, and it is less than or within the limits identified in Table 1, Condition 1, of the Work Instructions of any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD prior to the accumulation of 2,400 total landings. (d) Condition 2. If any wear is detected during any inspection required by paragraph (a) or (c) of this AD, and it is within the limits identified in Table 1, Condition 2, of the Work Instructions of any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD, within 500 landings following accomplishment of the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, accomplish paragraph (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3), (d)(4), or (d)(5) of this AD. (1) Option 1. Replace the actuator assembly with a new actuator assembly, in accordance with any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD. (2) Option 2. Repair the jackscrew assembly of the horizontal stabilizer and install it utilizing the existing nut assembly in accordance with either: (i) A method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; or (ii) Option 2, Procedure 2, of the Work Instructions of any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD. (3) Option 3. Repair the jackscrew assembly of the horizontal stabilizer and install it utilizing a new nut assembly in accordance with either: (i) A method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO; or (ii) Option 3, Procedure 2, of the Work Instructions of any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD. (4) Option 4. Replace the nut assembly with a new nut assembly, in accordance with any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD. Within 1,500 landings following accomplishment of the replacement, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD. (5) Option 5. Repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 500 landings. (e) Condition 3. If any wear is detected during the inspection required by paragraph (a) or (c) of this AD, and it is within the limits identified in Table 1, Condition 3, of the Work Instructions of any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD, within 250 landings following accomplishment of the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, accomplish either paragraph (e)(1), (e)(2), (e)(3), (e)(4), or (e)(5) of this AD. (1) Option 1. Replace the actuator assembly with a new actuator assembly, in accordance with any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD. (2) Option 2. Repair the jackscrew assembly of the horizontal stabilizer and install it utilizing the existing nut assembly in accordance with either: (i) A method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO; or (ii) Option 2, Procedure 2, of the Work Instructions of any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD. (3) Option 3. Repair the jackscrew assembly of the horizontal stabilizer and install it utilizing a new nut assembly in accordance with either: (i) A method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO; or (ii) Option 3, Procedure 2, of the Work Instructions of any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD. (4) Option 4. Replace the nut assembly with a new nut assembly, in accordance with any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD. Within 1,500 landings following accomplishment of the replacement, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD. (5) Option 5. Repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 250 landings. (f) Condition 4. If any wear is detected during the inspection required by paragraph (a) or (c) of this AD, and it is within the limits identified in Table 1, Condition 4, of the Work Instructions of any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD, within 100 landings following accomplishment of the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, accomplish paragraph (f)(1), (f)(2), or (f)(3) of this AD. (1) Option 1. Replace the actuator assembly with a new actuator assembly, in accordance with any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD. (2) Option 3. Repair the jackscrew assembly of the horizontal stabilizer and install it utilizing a new nut assembly in accordance with either: (i) A method approved by the Manger, Los Angeles ACO; or (ii) Option 3, Procedure 2, of the Work Instructions of any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD. (3) Option 4. Replace the nut assembly with a new nut assembly, in accordance with any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD. (i) For airplanes that have accumulated 1,500 or more landings at the time of the last inspection: Within 1,500 landings following accomplishment of the replacement, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD. (ii) For airplanes that have accumulated less than 1,500 landings at the time of the last inspection: Following accomplishment of the replacement, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD within the number of landings accumulated at the time of the last inspection. (g) If any wear is detected during the inspection required by paragraph (a) or (c) of this AD, and it exceeds the limits identified in Table 1, Condition 4, of the Work Instructions of any service bulletin listed in paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO. (h) Within 10 days after accomplishment of the initial inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, submit a report of the inspection results (positive or negative) to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification [[Page 40643]] Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; fax (562) 627-5210. Information collection requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120- 0056. (i) 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 ACO. 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO. (j) 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. (k) Except as provided by paragraphs (d)(2)(i), (e)(2)(i), and (g) of this AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with the following service bulletins: McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-27-067, dated July 31, 1997; McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-27-067, Revision 01, dated February 24, 1998; McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-27A067, Revision 02, dated May 18, 1998; or McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-27A067, Revision 03, dated June 9, 1998. This incorporation by reference was 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 The Boeing Company, Douglas Products Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1- 151 (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. (l) This amendment becomes effective on August 14, 1998. Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 21, 1998. S. R. Miller, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 98-19924 Filed 7-29-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P