AD 2001-17-19 Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 Series Airplanes, and KC-10A and KDC-10 (Military) Airplanes

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

All Model DC-10 series airplanes and KC-10A and KDC-10 (military) airplanes, 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 (d) 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 unwanted deployment of a thrust reverser, which could significantly jeopardize continued safety of flight and landing of the airplane, accomplish the following: Thrust Reverser System Modifications (a) For all airplanes: Within 24 months or 12,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, modify the position indicator light system for each thrust reverser in accordance with Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC10-78-060, dated December 17, 1999. Prior to or concurrent with accomplishment of the service bulletin, install the thrust reverser interlocks as specified in McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 78-40, Revision 1, dated July 24, 1979, and accomplish the requirements in paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, as applicable. The requirements of this paragraph must be accomplished prior to or concurrent with the requirements of paragraph (b) or (c) of this AD, as applicable. (1) For General Electric-powered airplanes: Modify the overpressure shutoff valve light circuits in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 78-7, Revision 1, dated April 17, 1975. (2) For Pratt and Whitney-powered airplanes: Modify the left and right thrust reverser wire harnesses in accordance with Rohr Service Bulletin MDC-CNS 78-41, dated June 11, 1999. (b) For Model DC-10-10, -10F, -15, -30, and -30F series airplanes; and KC-10A and KDC-10 (military) airplanes; listed in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC10-78-061, dated February 9, 2000: Within 5 years after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the thrust reverser wiring modification on each engine in accordance with Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. Concurrent with accomplishment of this service bulletin, accomplish Middle River Aircraft Systems Modification Drawing 537L68229 (for CF6-50-powered airplanes) or 537L68231 (for CF6-6-powered airplanes), as applicable. (c) For Model DC-10-10, -10F, -15, -30, and -30F series airplanes; and KC-10A and KDC-10 (military) airplanes; listed in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC10-78-062, dated February 14, 2000: Within 5 years after the effective date of this AD, install an additional locking system on each thrust reverser in accordance with Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions in the service bulletin. Concurrent with accomplishment of this service bulletin, accomplish Middle River Aircraft Systems Modification Drawing 537L68230 (for CF6-50-powered airplanes) or 537L68232 (for CF6-6-powered airplanes), as applicable. Alternative Methods of Compliance (d) 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 2: 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 (e) 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 (f) The actions shall be done in accordance with the following service information, as applicable: Table 1.—Referenced Service Documents Service document Revision level Date McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC10-78-060 Original December 17, 1999. McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC10-78-061 Original February 9, 2000. McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC10-78-062 Original February 14, 2000. McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 78-7 1 April 17, 1975. McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 78-40 1 July 24, 1979. Middle River Aircraft Systems Modification Drawing 537L68229 Original May 18, 1999. Middle River Aircraft Systems Modification Drawing 537L68230 Original May 18, 1999. Middle River Aircraft Systems Modification Drawing 537L68231 Original May 18, 1999. Middle River Aircraft Systems Modification Drawing 537L68232 Original May 18, 1999. Rohr Service Bulletin MDC-CNS 78-41 Original June 11, 1999. Revision 1 of McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 78-7 contains the following list of effective pages:   Page number Revision level shown on page Date shown on page 1, 3, 10, 12, 13, 21 1 April 17, 1975. 2, 4-9, 11, 14-20, 22 Original December 7, 1972. 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: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024). 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. Effective Date (g) This amendment becomes effective on October 1, 2001. Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 17, 2001. Vi L. Lipski, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 01-21394 Filed 8-24-01; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U