2008-06-21: Fuel tank systems

2008-06-21 McDonnell Douglas: Amendment 39-15433. Docket No. FAA- 2007-0201; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-163-AD. \n\nEffective Date \n\n\t(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 23, 2008. \n\nAffected ADs \n\n\t(b) None. \n\nApplicability \n\n\t(c) This AD applies to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10 and DC-10-10F airplanes, Model DC-10-15 airplanes, Model DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10) airplanes, Model DC-10-40 and DC-10- 40F airplanes, Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes, and Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes, certificated in any category. \n\n\tNote 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with paragraph (l) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane. \n\nUnsafe Condition \n\n\t(d) This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss of the airplane. \n\nCompliance \n\n\t(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. \n\nService Information Reference \n\n\t(f) The term "Report MDC-02K1003'' as used in this AD, means the Boeing Trijet Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K1003, Revision C, dated July 24, 2007. \n\nRevise the FAA-Approved Maintenance Program \n\n\t(g) For Model DC-10-10 and DC-10-10F airplanes, Model DC-10-15 airplanes, Model DC-10-30 and DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10) airplanes, and Model DC-10-40 and DC-10-40F airplanes: Before December 16, 2008, revise the FAA-approved maintenance program to incorporate the information specified in Appendixes B, C, and D of Report MDC-02K1003. Accomplishing the revision in accordance with a later revision of Report MDC-02K1003 is an acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. \n\nRevise the AWLs Section \n\n\t(h) For Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F airplanes, and Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes: Before December 16, 2008, revise the AWLs section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness to incorporate the information specified in Appendixes B, C, and D of Report MDC-02K1003, except that the initial inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD must be done at the applicable compliance time specified in that paragraph. Accomplishing the revision in accordance with a later revision of Report MDC-02K1003 is an acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO. \n\nInitial Inspection and Repair if Necessary \n\n\t(i) For Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes: Within 60 months after the effective date of this AD, do a detailed inspection of the metallic overbraiding and red-wrap tape installed on the tail tank fuel quantity indication system (FQIS) wiring to verify if the metallic overbraiding or red-wrap tape is damaged or shows signs of deterioration, in accordance with ALI 20-2 of Appendix C of Report MDC-02K1003. If any discrepancy is found during the inspection, repair the discrepancy before further flight in accordance with ALI 20-2 of Appendix C of Report MDC-02K1003. Accomplishing the actions required by this paragraph in accordance with a later revision of Report MDC-02K1003 is an acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO. \n\n\tNote 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: "An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.'' \n\nNo Reporting Requirement \n\n\t(j) Although Report MDC-02K1003 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action. \n\nNo Alternative Inspections, Inspection Intervals, or Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs) \n\n\t(k) After accomplishing the applicable actions specified in paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this AD, no alternative inspections, inspection intervals,or CDCCLs may be used unless the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are part of a later revision of Report MDC- 02K1003 that is approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO; or unless the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD. \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\t(l)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. \n\t(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. \n\nMaterial Incorporated by Reference \n\n\t(m) You must use Boeing Trijet Special Compliance Item Report, MDC-02K1003, Revision C,dated July 24, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. This document has the following effective pages: \n\n\n\nPage Number\nRevision Level\nShown on Page\n Date\nShown on Page\nTitle Page, iii-iv, B24, B38\nC\nJuly 24, 2007\nii, B2, B21, B26, B27, B34, B40, B41, C6, C7\nB\nAugust 9, 2007\n1, B1, B3-B20, B22, B23, B25, B28-B33, B35-B37, B39, C1-C5, D1\nA\nDecember 15, 2005\nA1-A3\nOriginal\nMay 17, 2002\n\n(This document does not include Page ii. The "Table of Contents'' section of the document refers to Item 28-3 on Page B27; however, Item 28-3 is on Page B29 of the document. The revision dates are only specified in the "Index of Pages'' section of the document.) \n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). \n\t(3) You may review copies of the service information incorporated by reference at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_ regulations/ibr_locations.html.