Shocking New NTSB Update on UPS 2976 MD-11F Crash
Boeing Service Letter MD-11-SL-54-104-A, dated
February 7, 2011, informed operators of four
previously reported bearing race failures (on three different airplanes) involving P/N S00399-1
spherical bearing assemblies. Specifically, each failure had initiated at the design recess groove on
the interior surface of the bearing race.
Per the Service Letter, the spherical bearing race is normally flush with the outer surface of the lugs
(see figure 4). In the previously reported events, a total circumferential fracture of the bearing race,
resulting in the bearing race splitting into two pieces, allowed for these two pieces to migrate in the
forward and aft directions. The failure of these spherical bearing assemblies was visually identified
by observing the displacement of the fractured bearing race pieces beyond the outer surface of the
lugs. According to the Service Letter,
a review of the spherical bearing failure by Boeing determined
it would not result in a safety of flight condition.
The Service Letter stated that, for Boeing MD-11 airplanes, inspection of the spherical bearing
assembly would be included in the general visual inspection (GVI) and detailed visual inspection of
the pylon aft mount, normally at a repetitive 60-month interval. The Service Letter also stated that
the Boeing MD-11 aircraft maintenance manual was updated to include inspection of the spherical
bearing race for evidence of migration, specifically by checking that the spherical bearing is not
protruding forward or aft beyond the surfaces of the pylon aft mount lugs. Lastly, the Service Letter
discussed a new configuration spherical bearing assembly, P/N S00399-523, which eliminated the
design recess groove on the bearing race and recommended its installation in the event an
installed spherical bearing is found to be unserviceable. However, the installation of spherical
bearing assembly P/N S00399-1, to replace an unserviceable bearing, was not prohibited by the
Service Letter
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