AD 2002-08-17 Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F, and DC-10-30F (KC10A and KDC-10) Airplanes

Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F, and DC-10-30F (KC10A and KDC-10) airplanes; certificated in any category; Except those on which an additional locking system has been installed on the thrust reverser on engine 1 and engine 3, according to paragraph (c) of AD 2001-17-19, amendment 39-12410. 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 (e) 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 an uncommanded in-flight deployment of a thrust reverser, which could result in reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following: Airplane Flight Manual Revision (a) Within 15 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved airplane flight manual (AFM) to include the following information (this may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM): THRUST REVERSER LIGHTS A. If the “REVERSER UNLOCK” (also labeled “REV IN TRANS”) light of engine 1 or engine 3 or the “REVERSER VALVE OPEN” light of engine 1 or engine 3 illuminates, even if the aircraft behavior is normal (not accompanied by aircraft buffet, trim change, or performance degradation), the flightcrew must: —Reduce the throttle to Flight Idle, AND —Land at a suitable airport. B. Takeoff is not permitted if: 1. Any of the conditions of A., above, have occurred, OR 2. A thrust reverser did not stow after previous landing, OR 3. Either the “REVERSER UNLOCK” (also labeled “REV IN TRANS”) light of engine 1 or engine 3, or “REVERSER VALVE OPEN” light of engine 1 or engine 3, is inoperative. C. Takeoff is permitted only if the affected reverser(s) has been locked out. D. For landing with both wing thrust reversers deactivated: For Model DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F, and DC-10-30F (KC10A and KDC-10) airplanes, increase the required runway length by 10% under wet or contaminated runway conditions. For Model DC-10-10 and DC-10-10F airplanes, increase the required runway length by 22% under wet runway conditions, and increase the required runway length by 48% under contaminated runway conditions. E. For takeoff with both wing thrust reversers deactivated: For all airplane models, takeoff with both wing thrust reversers deactivated is prohibited under contaminated runway conditions. Increase the required runway length by 5% under wet runway conditions.” Lock-out of Thrust Reverser (b) If the conditions in paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD occur: Before the next flight, lock out any affected thrust reverser by accomplishing both maintenance procedures for fan reverser deactivation and locking and the optional method for fan reverser deactivation and locking in Boeing DC-10 Minimum Equipment List (MEL) Procedures Manual, Item 78-1, Revision 11, dated January 1999, according to that document. (1) The “REVERSER UNLOCK” (also labeled “REV IN TRANS”) light of engine 1 or engine 3, or the “REVERSER VALVE OPEN” light of engine 1 or engine 3, is inoperative or illuminates when the thrust reverser is in the stowed position. (2) A thrust reverser does not stow after landing. Operation With a Locked-Out Thrust Reverser/Return to Service (c) An airplane may operate indefinitely with a thrust reverser that has been locked out according to this AD in lieu of MEL criteria. An operator may only return a locked-out thrust reverser to service when the cause of the condition that prompted the lock-out of the thrust reverser (as specified in paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD, as applicable) has been determined and corrected. The corrective action must be approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Operators must submit requests for such approvals through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance or Operations Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO. For a corrective action to be considered approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically reference this AD. Terminating Action (d) Installation of an additional locking system on each thrust reverser according to paragraph (c) of AD 2001-17-19, amendment 39-12410, terminates the requirements of this AD. After that action has been accomplished, the AFM revision required by paragraph (a) of this AD may be removed from the AFM. Alternative Methods of Compliance (e) 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 ACO. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance or Operations 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 (f) 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, with the following limitations: (1) The affected reverser must be in the stowed position before takeoff. (2) The affected engine must be shut down and isolated from bleed air. (3) The airplane may carry no passengers and only minimum crew. Incorporation by Reference (g) The lock-out of an affected thrust reverser, if accomplished, shall be done in accordance with Boeing DC-10 Minimum Equipment List Procedures Manual, Item 78-1, Revision 11, dated January 1999, which contains the following list of effective pages:   Page number Date shown on page Table of Contents Page 78-i January 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: 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; at the FAA, 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 (h) This amendment becomes effective on May 17, 2002. Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 19, 2002. Lirio Liu-Nelson, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 02-10248 Filed 5-1-02; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P