AD 49-46-01
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-4 | Airworthiness Directives; DOUGLAS All Models DC-4 AND DC-6 Aircraft |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-6 | Airworthiness Directives; DOUGLAS All Models DC-4 AND DC-6 Aircraft |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-6A | Airworthiness Directives; DOUGLAS All Models DC-4 AND DC-6 Aircraft |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-6B | Airworthiness Directives; DOUGLAS All Models DC-4 AND DC-6 Aircraft |
Unsafe Condition
Excessive air temperatures in the vacuum system discharge line could damage nacelle components or cause system failure.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Install a fusible plug with specified AN fittings and metal composition in the vacuum pump discharger port, or replace the oil separator with Genisco No. 40081 or equivalent. Incorporate an overboard drain line if using the fusible plug modification.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
not later than April 1, 1950
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
Douglas DC-4, DC-6, DC-6A, DC-6B aircraft equipped with vacuum systems using oil separators other than the type mentioned in Item 2.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
Vacuum System Fusible Plug
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_49-46-01.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 49-46-01 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; DOUGLAS All Models DC-4 AND DC-6 Aircraft Subject: Vacuum System Fusible Plug Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: Effective Date: Make: The Boeing Company Model: DC-4 | DC-6 | DC-6A | DC-6B Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Large Airplane Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: Office of Primary Responsibility: CFR Part Reference: Part 39 Comments: AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 49-46-01 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: AD NUMBER: 49-46-01 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; DOUGLAS All Models DC-4 AND DC-6 Aircraft ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 49-46-01 DOUGLAS: Applies to All Models DC-4 and DC-6 Aircraft Equipped With Vacuum systems, Incorporating Oil Separators Other Than the Type Mentioned in Item 2. To be accomplished not later than April 1, 1950. To guard against the possibility of excessive air temperatures in the vacuum system discharge line, one of the following modifications must be accomplished to this system: 1. Install a fusible plug in the side of the vacuum pump discharger port at the right angles to the axis of the discharge port boss. Some pumps incorporate a plugged hole in the discharge port which may be enlarged to a 3/8-inch pipe tapped hole to accommodate the fusible plug. This plug should employ an AN 840-8D fitting with a binary eutectic mixture of 67.8 percent tim and 32.2 percent cadmium, which has a melting point of 351 degrees F. Figure 2 describes the design of such a plug. The 3/8-inch fusible plug fitting is intended for pumps such as the Model 3P-211 and 3P-485. For smaller pumps such as the 3P-207, and AN 840-6D fitting, incorporating the same modification as shown below, should be used. Incorporation of an overboard drain line clamped to the fusible plug is recommended but is not mandatory. Brass fittings of the same design as the above dural fittings are acceptable. On installations which do not use an overboard discharge line the possibility exists that the plug may damage other nacelle components if it can hit them upon being out of the adapter as high velocity. Therefore, if no overboard discharge line is provided, the installation must be made in such a manner that the plug will not be directed toward any vulnerable components when it issues from the adapter. 2. Replace the present oil separator with a new oil separator, Genisco No. 40081 or equivalent. The new separator incorporates a pressure relief valve and can be disassembled for cleaning. (Douglas Service Letter A-129-T-1271/WB-11-Q-4, dated April 1, 1949, covers this same modification.) FOOTER:
Document Text
Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - DRS_49-46-01.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 49-46-01 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; DOUGLAS All Models DC-4 AND DC-6 Aircraft Subject: Vacuum System Fusible Plug Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: Effective Date: Make: The Boeing Company Model: DC-4 | DC-6 | DC-6A | DC-6B Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Large Airplane Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: Office of Primary Responsibility: CFR Part Reference: Part 39 Comments: AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 49-46-01 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: AD NUMBER: 49-46-01 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; DOUGLAS All Models DC-4 AND DC-6 Aircraft ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 49-46-01 DOUGLAS: Applies to All Models DC-4 and DC-6 Aircraft Equipped With Vacuum systems, Incorporating Oil Separators Other Than the Type Mentioned in Item 2. To be accomplished not later than April 1, 1950. To guard against the possibility of excessive air temperatures in the vacuum system discharge line, one of the following modifications must be accomplished to this system: 1. Install a fusible plug in the side of the vacuum pump discharger port at the right angles to the axis of the discharge port boss. Some pumps incorporate a plugged hole in the discharge port which may be enlarged to a 3/8-inch pipe tapped hole to accommodate the fusible plug. This plug should employ an AN 840-8D fitting with a binary eutectic mixture of 67.8 percent tim and 32.2 percent cadmium, which has a melting point of 351 degrees F. Figure 2 describes the design of such a plug. The 3/8-inch fusible plug fitting is intended for pumps such as the Model 3P-211 and 3P-485. For smaller pumps such as the 3P-207, and AN 840-6D fitting, incorporating the same modification as shown below, should be used. Incorporation of an overboard drain line clamped to the fusible plug is recommended but is not mandatory. Brass fittings of the same design as the above dural fittings are acceptable. On installations which do not use an overboard discharge line the possibility exists that the plug may damage other nacelle components if it can hit them upon being out of the adapter as high velocity. Therefore, if no overboard discharge line is provided, the installation must be made in such a manner that the plug will not be directed toward any vulnerable components when it issues from the adapter. 2. Replace the present oil separator with a new oil separator, Genisco No. 40081 or equivalent. The new separator incorporates a pressure relief valve and can be disassembled for cleaning. (Douglas Service Letter A-129-T-1271/WB-11-Q-4, dated April 1, 1949, covers this same modification.) FOOTER:
Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026
Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA. Always verify with official sources.