AD 87-08-09

87-08-09 AIRBUS INDUSTRIE, BOEING, BRITISH AEROSPACE, LOCKHEED, AND MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-5613. Applies to Airbus Industries Models A300 and A310; Boeing Models 707, 720, 727, 737, 747, 757, and 767; British Aerospace Models BAe 146 and BAC 1-11; Lockheed Model L-1011; and McDonnell Douglas Models DC-8, DC-9 (includes MD-80 series), and DC-10; certificated in any category.

To eliminate the possibility of a chemical reaction between atmospheric oxygen and volatile gases from the tire inner liner producing a tire explosion, accomplish the following, unless already accomplished:

A. Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD, to ensure that all aircraft tires mounted on braked wheels do not contain more than 5 percent oxygen by volume, accomplish paragraph 1. or 2., below. Either of these procedures is acceptable, or they may be used together:

1. Install a placard, either in each wheel well or on or near each landing gear strut incorporating braked wheels, and in a location so as to be easily seen and readable by a person performing routine tire servicing. This placard shall state "INFLATE TIRES WITH NITROGEN ONLY." The words "SERVICE" or "FILL" may be substituted for the word "INFLATE".

2. Incorporate into the FAA-approved maintenance program procedures that include the following items:

a. On braked wheels, install only tires that have been inflated with dry nitrogen or other gases shown to be inert such that the gas mixture does not exceed 5 percent oxygen by volume.

b. Tires on braked wheels may be serviced with air at remote locations where dry nitrogen is not available, provided that:

i. the oxygen content does not exceed 5 percent by volume; or

ii. within the next 15 hours time-in-service, the tire must be purged of air and inflated with dry nitrogen so that the oxygen does not exceed 5 percent by volume.

B. An alternate means of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time, which provides an acceptable level of safety, may be used when approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region (Airbus Industrie, Boeing, and British Aerospace models); or the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region (Lockheed and McDonnell Douglas models).

C. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base for the accomplishment of the modification required by this AD.

This Amendment becomes effective June 1, 1987.