AD 2000-09-07 Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -15, -30, -30F, and -40 Series Airplanes, and KC-10A (Military) Airplanes

Models named: DC-10-10, -15, -30, -30F, -40 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model DC-10-10, -15, -30, -30F, and -40 series airplanes, and KC-10A (military) airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A161, dated October 29, 1999; certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent internal overheating and arcing of circuit breakers and airplane wiring due to long-term use and breakdown of internal components of the circuit breakers, which could result in smoke and fire in the flight compartment and main cabin, accomplish the following: Inspection and Replacement, if Necessary (a) Within 24 months after effective date of this AD: Perform a one-time general visual inspection of circuit breakers to determine the manufacturer of the circuit breaker in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A161, dated October 29, 1999. Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is defined as: “A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or drop-light, and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.” (1) If no Wood Electric Corporation or Wood Electric Division of Potter Brumfield Corporation circuit breaker is found, no further action is required by this paragraph. (2) If any Wood Electric Corporation or Wood Electric Division of Potter Brumfield Corporation circuit breaker is found, at the next scheduled maintenance visit, but not later than 24 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the circuit breaker with a new circuit breaker in accordance with the service bulletin. Spares (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install, on any airplane, a circuit breaker, part number 104-205-104, 104-210-104, 104-215-104, 104-220-104, 104-225-104, 104-230-104, 104-235-104, 104-250-104, 447-205-102, 448-205-102, 505-205-102, 506-205-102, 447-507-102, 448-507-102, 505-507-102, 506-507-102, 447-210-102, 448-210-102, 505-210-102, 506-210-102, 447-215-102, 448-215-102, 505-215-102, 506-215-102, 447-220-102, 448-220-102, 505-220-102, 506-220-102, 447-225-102, 448-225-102, 505-225-102, 506-225-102, 448-235-102, 505-235-102, 506-235-102. Alternative Methods of Compliance (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO. Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO. Special Flight Permits (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. Incorporation by Reference (e) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A161, dated October 29, 1999. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Aircraft Group, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business Administration, Dept. C1-L51 (2-60). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (f) This amendment becomes effective on June 16, 2000. Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 3, 2000. Vi L. Lipski, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 00-11544 Filed 5-11-00; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P