Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11836 · McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 Series Airplanes
McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 Series Airplanes
Model DC-10 series airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A162, dated July 28, 1999; 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 certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 series airplanes, that requires a one-time detailed visual inspection of the galley power feeder cables and fuselage structure at a certain station to detect chafing or arcing damage to the cables and structure or to detect arcing damage to the insulation blankets; and corrective actions, if necessary. This AD also requires installation of spacers between the galley power feeder cable clamps and fuselage structure. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that the galley power feeder cables chafed against a certain fuselage frame in the forward lower cargo compartment, which resulted in electrical arcing. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent such chafing and arcing due to insufficient clearance between the cables and the airplane structure, which could result in smoke and fire in the forward lower cargo compartment.
To prevent chafing and arcing of the galley power feeder cables against the airplane structure due to insufficient clearance between the cables and the airplane structure, which could result in smoke and fire in the forward lower cargo compartment, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a detailed visual inspection of the galley external power feeder cables and fuselage structure at station Y=635.000 to detect chafing or arcing damage to the cables and structure or to detect arcing damage to the insulation blankets, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin DC10-24A162, dated July 28, 1999.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed visual 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) If any damage or chafing is detected, prior to further flight, accomplish the actions specified in paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), (a)(1)(iii), and (a)(1)(iv) of this AD, as applicable, in accordance with Condition 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
(i) Repair or replace the chafed cables with new cables.
(ii) Repair the damaged frame.
(iii) Replace the damaged insulation blanket with a new blanket; however, insulation blankets made of metallized polyethyleneteraphthalate (MPET) may not be used.
(iv) Install spacers between the galley power feeder cable clamps and fuselage structure.
(2) If no damage or chafing is detected, prior to further flight, install spacers between the galley power feeder cable clamps and fuselage structure in accordance with Condition 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of the 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.
