Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas MD-11 and MD-11F series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time inspection to determine if metallic transitions are installed on wire harnesses of the tail tank fuel transfer pumps, and to determine if damaged wires are present; and repair, if necessary. This proposal also would require repetitive inspections of the repaired area; and a permanent modification of the wire harnesses if metallic transitions are not installed, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. This proposal is prompted by a report of chafing and damage to a wire harness of a tail tank fuel transfer pump. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent wire chafing and damage, which could result in an inoperative fuel transfer pump and/or an increased risk of a fire or explosion from a fuel leak.