AD 2005-15-03 Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, MD-10-30F, MD-11, and MD-11F Airplanes

(c) This AD applies to the airplanes identified in Table 1 of this AD; certificated in any category. Table 1.—Applicability McDonnell Douglas Airplane model— As identified in— DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F airplanes Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-52-219, Revision 1, dated September 3, 2004. MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-52-044, Revision 1, dated September 3, 2004. Unsafe Condition (d) This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the exterior emergency control mechanism handles of the mid, overwing and aft passenger doors were inoperative on a McDonnell Douglas Model MD-11 airplane. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the passenger doors to operate properly in an emergency condition, which could delay an emergency evacuation and possibly result in injury to passengers and flightcrew.

(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Service Bulletin Reference (f) The term “service bulletin,” as used in this AD, means the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-52-044, Revision 1 (for Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes), and Service Bulletin DC10-52-219, Revision 1 (for Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F airplanes); both dated September 3, 2004; as applicable. Functional Test (g) Within 6,000 flight hours or 18 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a functional test of the exterior emergency control handle assemblies of the mid, overwing, and aft passenger doors; by doing all actions specified in the applicable service bulletin, except as provided by paragraph (i) of this AD. (1) If the functional test reveals no noisy operation or binding: Repeat the functional test at intervals not to exceed 6,000 flight hours or 18 months, whichever occurs later, until the terminating action of paragraph (h) of this AD has been accomplished. (2) If any functional test required by this AD reveals noisy operation or binding: Prior to further flight, replace the steel bearings with bearings made from corrosion-resistant material, in accordance with the applicable service bulletin. Optional Terminating Action (h) Accomplishment of the actions required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the repetitive tests required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD only for the modified doors. Inoperable Doors (i) Any mid, overwing, or aft passenger door that has been fastened shut and rendered inoperable according to an approved airplane freighter configuration is not subject to the requirements of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (j) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin DC10-52-219, Revision 1, dated September 3, 2004; or Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-52-044, Revision 1, dated September 3, 2004; as applicable, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Long Beach Division, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Data and Service Management, Dept. C1-L5A (D800-0024), for copies of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the internet at http://dms.dot.gov ; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html . Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 8, 2005. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 05-14088 Filed 7-20-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P