11 APR 2008 -

This is off topic for this reflector, but I think you all would like to
know exactly what the problem is that requires an FAA-mandated grounding
of all American Airlines MD-80s.

This all started when  Southwest Airlines was caught flying older model
B-737s that actually had some fuselage structural cracks.  An AD on this
issue had been issued several years earlier.  Congress angrily over-reacted
and publicly threatened the FAA for its ongoing failure to closely monitor airline safety - even though it has been cutting FAA operations budgets for many years; particularly under the George W. Bush administration.

Now in panic mode, the FAA is enforcing all of its ADs literally to the
letter, even though most of them are not serious enough to warrant an
immediate fleet grounding.  Most ADs are resolved by timely maintenance
action within the specified time limit.  I believe this was the original
type of time requirement for the electrical cable inspection AD for all
MD-80s. 

The first grounding had American's mechanics re-checking and modifying the
specific electrical (wire bundle) cable that controls the electric
auxiliary hydraulic pump was in response to an FAA Airworthiness Directive
(AD) originally issued in 2006.  I understand this AD was originally complied to by American within the required time period in the manner prescribed.
because no fine was later assessed by the FAA.  However, the FAA did not directly inspect the aircraft and accepted American Airlines Inspectors' reports stating the work had been properly completed.  After the Southwest Airlines problem, the FAA then randomly inspected a few American Airlines
MD-80s and found one or more discrepancies.

I assume the same situation exists at Delta Airlines and the few other U.S.
air carriers operating MD-80s, but they have not yet been audited or re-inspected by the FAA.

The attached annotated picture that goes with the comments below shows
exactly what is going on at American Airlines right now.  The second round
of re-inspections is not rocket-science.  However, it's an expensive time- consuming procedure that does not improve safety one iota.  It's purpose
is to allow the FAA to tell its congressional critics and the mass media
that it is truly enforcing the rules, regardless how nit-picking they may
be, at great cost to the airlines and the flying public.

- Dick, W9GIG
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Forwarded by another airline retiree:

American Airlines MD-80 Fleet Grounding Problem

This is what the FAA controversy is all about.

It's about the spacing of the ties on the wiring bundle.

Notice the bundle is covered in a kevlar??? sleeve and has new
rubber-covered cable clamps.

It's not like it's going to go anywhere, but the FAA says it
has to be tied at exactly one inch intervals.

This doesn't seem like it's quite in the same category as the
cracks in a few Southwest B-737 Aircraft fuselages!