Airworthiness Directive 04-16916
one-timeAirworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and Model MD-88 Airplanes
What this AD requires
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-82 (MD-82), DC-9-83 (MD-83), DC-9-87 (MD-87), and Model MD-88 airplanes, that requires replacement of certain freeze protection ribbon heaters in the lavatory water supply system, and flushing, cleaning, and sterilizing the potable water system; disconnecting, coiling, and stowing the wiring of the freeze protection ribbon heater; or removal of freeze protection heaters. This action is necessary to prevent failure of freeze protection ribbon heaters, which could result in the charring, scorching, smoking, and shorting out of freeze protection ribbon heaters in the lavatory water supply system. This condition, if not corrected, could also result in electrical arcing of freeze protection ribbon heaters, leading to fire and damage to water lines and components under the lavatory sink. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
Which aircraft AD 04-16916 applies to
Whether AD 04-16916 actually applies to your aircraft (by serial and installed parts) and whether it’s already complied with comes from that aircraft’s records.
How AD compliance is recorded
A valid compliance record (14 CFR 43.9) states:
Tailplate reads a tail number’s logbooks and matches every applicable AD — including this one — to its compliance evidence, with recurring next-due dates computed.
Look up a tail number →Read the full directive (Federal Register)Applicability is derived from the FAA directive corpus and is advisory, not a legal airworthiness determination. Compliance is established only from an aircraft’s actual records.