Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10, Model MD-10, and Model MD-11 Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10, Model MD-10, and Model MD-11 series airplanes. This action requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to ensure that the flight crew is advised of appropriate procedures for disabling certain fuel pump electrical circuits following failure of a fuel pump electrical connector. For certain airplanes, this action also requires revising the AFM to prohibit resetting of tripped fuel pump circuit breakers. This action is necessary to prevent continued arcing following a short circuit of the fuel pump electrical connector, which could damage the conduit that protects the power lead inside the fuel tank, and result in the creation of a potential ignition source in the fuel tank. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.