AD 93-06-04

93-06-04 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-8529. Docket 93-NM-04-AD.

Applicability: Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes; as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin A24-48, dated February 17, 1993; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent electrical arcing in the fuel system components and/or flight control computers in the event of a lightning strike, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 10 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include the following statement. This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM.

"Autoland Do not conduct autoland in known lightning conditions. A dual autoland disconnect may occur."

(b) Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, modify the seventeen wire assembly breakouts located at the aft pressure bulkhead and at the aft spar of thehorizontal stabilizer center box, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin A24-48, dated February 17, 1993. Accomplishment of this modification constitutes terminating action for paragraph (a) of this AD; after the modification is accomplished, the AFM revision may be removed.

(c) 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: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(e) The modification shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin A24-48, dated February 17, 1993. 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 McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach, California 90846-1771, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical Publications - Technical Administrative Support, C1-L5B. 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 (ACO), 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on April 29, 1993.