Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 Series Airplanes

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 series airplanes, that currently requires deactivation of the forward and center cargo control units (CCU). This amendment requires, among other actions, a general visual inspection to verify that all six external connectors of suspect CCU's have a certain part number stamped on the connector bodies on all CCU assemblies, and follow-on actions, which would constitute terminating action for the deactiviation requirements. The actions specified by this amendment are intended to prevent overheating of the electrical pins inside the CCU's and subsequent release of hot gases and flames, which could result in smoke and fire in the cargo compartment.