Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11727 · McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 Series Airplanes
McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 Series Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2001-24-21. Comply with the one in force.
All Model DC-10 series 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 (b) 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.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 series airplanes, that requires a one-time detailed visual inspection to determine if wire segments of the wire bundle routed through the feed through on the aft side of the flight engineer's station are damaged or chafed, and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by a report of smoke coming out of the flight engineer's upper right circuit breaker panel, which was followed by circuit breakers popping and the panel lights going out. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent chafing of the wire bundle located behind the flight engineer's panel caused by the wire bundle coming in contact with the lower edge of the feed through and consequent electrical arcing, which could result in smoke and fire in the cockpit.
To prevent chafing of the wire bundle located behind the flight engineer's panel caused by the wire bundle coming in contact with the lower edge of the feed through and consequent electrical arcing, which could result in smoke and fire in the cockpit, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time detailed visual inspection to determine if the wire segments of the wire bundle routed through the feed through on the aft side of the flight engineer's station are damaged or chafed, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A149, Revision 01, dated July 28, 1999.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is defined as: “An intensive visual examination of a specific structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc. may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate access procedures may be required.”
(1) For airplanes identified as Group 1 in the alert service bulletin: Accomplish paragraph (a)(1)(i) or (a)(1)(ii) of this AD, as applicable.
(i) If no damaged or chafed wire is found, no further action is required by this AD.
(ii) If any damaged or chafed wire is found, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
(2) For airplanes identified as Group 2 in the alert service bulletin: Accomplish paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this AD, as applicable.
(i) If no damaged or chafed wire is found, within 1 year after the effective date of this AD, revise the wire bundle support clamp installation at the flight engineer's station in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
(ii) If any damaged or chafed wire is found, prior to further flight, repair the wiring, and revise the wire bundle support clamp installation at the flight engineer's station, in accordance with the alert service bulletin.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
