Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-14512 · McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40 and -50 Series Airplanes, and Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), and DC-9-82 (MD-82) Airplanes
McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40 and -50 Series Airplanes, and Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), and DC-9-82 (MD-82) Airplanes
This AD applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-11, DC-9-12, DC-9-13, DC-9-14, DC-9-15, DC-9-15F, DC-9-21, DC-9-31, DC-9-32, DC-9-32 (VC-9C), DC-9-32F, DC-9-33F, DC-9-34, DC-9-34F, DC 9-32F (C-9A, C-9B), DC-9-41, DC-9-51, DC-9-81 (MD-81), and DC-9-82 (MD-82) airplanes; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-53-179, Revision 2, dated May 27, 2004; certificated in any category.
The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-10, -20, - 30, -40 and -50 series airplanes, and Model DC-9-81 (MD-81), and DC-9- 82 (MD-82) airplanes. That AD currently requires installing a water drain system for the slant pressure panels in the left and right wheel wells of the main landing gear (MLG). This new AD also requires inspecting the seal assemblies of the overwing emergency exit doors for defects and constant gap; replacing defective door seals; performing repetitive operational checks of the water drain system auto drain valve and corrective actions if necessary; and, for certain airplanes, modifying the insulation blankets on the slant pressure panels in the left and right MLG wheel wells. This AD results from reports of water runoff from the slant pressure panels in the left and right MLG wheel wells, which subsequently froze on the lateral control mixer and control cable assemblies. We are issuing this AD to prevent ice from forming on the lateral control mixer and control cable assemblies, which could reduce controllability of the airplane.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Within 24 months after August 18, 1993 (the effective date of AD 93-13-07), install a water drain system in the slant pressure panel, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 53-179, dated January 18, 1985, as amended by Service Bulletin Change Notification 53-179 CN1, dated February 28, 1985, and Service Bulletin Change Notification 53-179 CN2, dated May 30, 1985; McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-53-179, Revision 01, dated March 30, 1999; or Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-53-179, Revision 2, dated May 27, 2004. After the effective date of this AD, only Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-53-179, Revision 2, dated May 27, 2004, may be used.
For all airplanes: Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a general visual inspection of the seal assemblies of the overwing emergency exit doors for defects and constant gap, and, before further flight, replace any defective door seal with a new door seal; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-53-179, Revision 2, dated May 27, 2004.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is: “A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.”
Inspections accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-53-179, Revision 01, dated March 30, 1999; or McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-53-268, dated August 11, 1995, as referenced in paragraph (a)(2) of AD 96-11-04; are considered acceptable for compliance with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
(i) For any airplane which is equipped with an auto drain valve of the slant pressure panel water drain system: Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, perform an operational check of the auto drain valve and repeat this check at intervals not to exceed 24 months. If any auto drain valve is found to be obstructed or inoperative, before further flight, replace the auto drain valve with a new auto drain valve according to a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Chapter 51-10-01 of the Boeing MD-80 Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) or Chapter 51-00-01 of the Douglas DC-9 AMM, as applicable, is one approved method of performing the operational check and replacement of the auto drain valve.
Note 2: After an operator complies with the requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD, paragraph (i) does not require that operators subsequently record accomplishment of those requirements each time an auto drain valve is checked or replaced according to that operator's FAA-approved maintenance inspection program.
For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-53-179, Revision 2, dated May 27, 2004, that are also identified in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-53-268 R01, Revision 01, dated July 18, 1996: At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (j)(1) or (j)(2) of this AD, modify the insulation blankets on the slant pressure panels in the left and right wheel wells of the MLG, in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin DC9-53-268 R01, Revision 01, dated July 18, 1996. Modifications accomplished before the effective date of this AD as specified in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin DC9-53-268, dated August 11, 1995, are acceptable for compliance with this paragraph.
(1) For airplanes that have been modified, as specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, prior to the effective date of this AD: Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.
(2) For airplanes that have not been modified, as specified in paragraph (f) of this AD, prior to the effective date of this AD: Prior to or concurrently with the accomplishment of paragraph (f) of this AD.
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.
