AD 96-07-01 Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -15, -30, and -40 Series Airplanes, and KC-10A (Military) Airplanes

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

Model DC-10-10, -15, -30, -40 series airplanes and KC-10A (military) airplanes; as listed in McDonnell Douglas DC- 10 Service Bulletin 55-23, Revision 1, dated December 17, 1993; certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise 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 loss of fail safe capability of the vertical stabilizer due to cracking of its attachments, accomplish the following: (a) Within 1,500 landings after the effective date of this AD, perform an external visual inspection, using a minimum 5X power magnifying glass, to detect failure of the 12 attachments located in the banjo No. 4 fitting of the vertical stabilizer (as depicted in McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 55-23, Revision 1, dated December 17, 1993). Perform this inspection in accordance with procedures specified in McDonnell Douglas Nondestructive Testing Manual Chapter 20-10-00 or McDonnell Douglas Nondestructive Testing Standard Practice Manual, Part 09. (1) If no failure is detected, repeat the external visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,500 landings until the requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD are accomplished. (2) If any failure is detected, prior to further flight, accomplish the requirements of paragraph (b) of this AD. (b) Except as required by paragraph (a)(2) of this AD: Within 5 years after the effective date of this AD, perform an eddy current surface inspection to detect cracking of the forward and aft flanges; and an eddy current bolt hole inspection of the bolt holes of the banjo No. 4 fitting; in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC- 10 Service Bulletin 55-23, Revision 1, dated December 17, 1993. Note 2: Paragraph (b) of this AD does not require that eddy current bolt hole inspections be accomplished for the bolt holes of the banjo No. 4 fitting if the attachments were replaced, prior to the effective date of this AD, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 55-23, dated December 17, 1992. -(1) If no cracking is detected, prior to further flight, replace the 12 attachments [[Page 12018]] located on the banjo No. 4 fitting, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 55-23, dated December 17, 1992, or Revision 1, dated December 17, 1993. Accomplishment of this replacement terminates the requirements of this AD, provided that the eddy current surface inspection of the forward and aft flanges; and the eddy current bolt hole inspection of the bolt holes of the banjo No. 4 fitting, if applicable; are accomplished in accordance with Revision 1 of the service bulletin. (i) Accomplishment of the replacement in accordance with the original issue of the service bulletin constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD, provided that the eddy current surface inspection of the forward and aft flanges is accomplished in accordance with Revision 1 of the service bulletin. (ii) Accomplishment of the replacement in accordance with Revision 1 of the service bulletin constitutes terminating action for the requirements of this AD, provided that the eddy current surface inspection of the forward and aft flanges; and the eddy current bolt hole inspection of the bolt holes of the banjo No. 4 fitting are accomplished in accordance with Revision 1 of the service bulletin. (2) If any cracking is detected, prior to further flight, repair either in accordance with Figure 6 or Figure 7, as applicable, of Chapter 55-20-00, Volume 1, of the DC-10 Structural Repair Manual (SRM); or in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. (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 ACO. 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. (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 55-23, dated December 17, 1992, and McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 55-23, Revision 1, dated December 17, 1993. 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 McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business Administration, Department C1-L51 (2-60). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (e) This amendment becomes effective on April 24, 1996. Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 18, 1996. James V. Devany, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 96-6932 Filed 3-22-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P