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98-24-24: Seat Tracks And Adjacent Structure At Lavatory

FAA order 98-24-24 is an airworthiness directive in force since December 30, 1998. The FAA's subject line: Seat Tracks And Adjacent Structure At Lavatory. It names Mcdonnell Douglas MD-11: about 104 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: cabin, seats and restraints.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Aircraft
Makes
The Boeing Company
Models
MD-11, MD-11F
On this site
Mcdonnell Douglas MD-11 104 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since
December 30, 1998
Published
November 25, 1998
Docket
98-NM-71-AD
Status
Current
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The FAA's summary their words, unchanged

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain MD-11 series airplanes, that requires a one-time visual inspection to detect discrepancies of the seat tracks and adjacent structure underneath lavatories, and repair, if necessary. This amendment also requires installation of a non-metallic barrier on the bottom of each lavatory foot fitting, and replacement of existing seat track fittings with new seat track fittings. This amendment is prompted by reports of galvanic corrosion found on the seat tracks at attachment points under certain lavatories. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent corrosion of seat tracks and adjacent structure. Corrosion of the seat tracks and adjacent structure could result in shifting of lavatories, which could lead to injury of passengers and crew, as well as damage to aircraft structure and systems.

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (4,175 characters)
98-24-24 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-10910. Docket 98-NM-71-AD. \n\n\tApplicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-53-043, Revision 02, dated May 28, 1996; certificated in any category. \n\n\tNOTE 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 (b) 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. \n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. \n\n\tTo detect and correct corrosion of seat tracks and adjacent structure, which could result in shifting of lavatories causing injury to passengers and crew, as well as damage to aircraft structure and systems, accomplish the following: \n\n\t(a)\tWithin 15 months after the effective date of this AD, conduct a visual inspection to detect discrepancies (i.e., corrosion and breakage) of the seat tracks and adjacent structure at the lavatory locations defined in JAMCO Service Bulletin MD11-25-1010, dated July 12, 1994. \n\n\t\t(1)\tIf no discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, install a non-metallic barrier on the bottom of each lavatory foot fitting and replace existing seat track fittings with new fittings, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD-11-53-043, Revision 02, dated May 28, 1996. \n\n\t\t(2)\tIf any discrepancy is detected, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with the McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Structural Repair Manual, or in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Prior to further flight following accomplishment of the repair, install a non-metallic barrier on the bottom of each lavatory foot fitting and replace existing seat track fittings with new fittings, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD-11-53-043, Revision 02, dated May 28, 1996. \n\n\t(b)\tAn 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. \n\n\tNOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO. \n\n\t(c)\tSpecial 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. \n\n\t(d)\tThe installation and replacement shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-53-043, Revision 02, dated May 28, 1996. 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-L51 (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. \n\n\t(e)\tThis amendment becomes effective on December 30, 1998.

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

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2008-12-11NM-09-03 · Engine Fuel and Control - Implementing Fuel Tank System Airworthiness Limitations
2007-04-24NM-07-31 · Rigid hydraulic case drain lines
2006-07-27NM-06-57 · Reports of damage to airplanes and to property on the ground caused by blue or clear ice falling from airplanes.

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of November 6, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/98-24-24.json · aircraft systems.