# AD 67-07-03: Sperry SP-50 Autopilot - Type: Airworthiness directive - Status: Current - Products: Boeing 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DC-9-32, DC-9-32 (VC-9C), DC-9-32F, DC-9-32F (C-9A) and 10 more - Effective: March 2, 1967 - Published: March 2, 1967 - Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD - Product type: Aircraft, Large airplane - Amendment: 39-356 - Registered aircraft: 99 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs) - FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/358B50B91E78BDA9862569BD004E68CB.0001 - DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/67-07-03 ## The airworthiness directive 67-07-03 DOUGLAS: Amdt. 39-356 Part 39 Federal Register March 2, 1967. Applies to Model DC-9 Airplanes Equipped With the Sperry SP-50A Autopilot. Compliance required as indicated unless already accomplished. To prevent an unsafe condition which may result when the autopilot does not disengage when the control wheel disconnect button is used, accomplish the following: (a) For airplanes having Sperry SP-50A autopilot control panels with 1,500 or more hours' time in service on the effective date of this AD, comply with (d) prior to completing the next 50 hours' time in service. (b) For airplanes having Sperry SP-50A autopilot control panels with less than 1,500 hours' time in service on the effective date of this AD, comply with (d) prior to completing 1,550 hours' total time in service. (c) Operators who have not kept records of hours' time in service of individual Sperry SP-50A autopilot control panels shall substitute hours' time in service for the airplane or airplanes in which the individual autopilot control panel was installed. (d) Install a placard in clear view of the pilot with the following information: Autopilot(s) must be turned off when operating below 3,000 feet above ground level in a terminal area. Verify by position of the control panel engage lever. (e) The placard installed in accordance with (d) may be removed when the Sperry SP- 50A autopilot control panel switches have been reworked to Sperry Service Bulletin TA-693-37. This directive effective March 2, 1967. ## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs) The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names. - [TCDS A6WE](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A6WE): The Boeing Company; names 19 of 25 models: DC-9-12, DC-9-15F, DC-9-41, DC-9-13, DC-9-34F, DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-33F, DC-9-83 (MD-83)… ## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs) Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment. - Aircraft: 99 (99 by airframe model, 0 by engine model) - Makers: Mcdonnell Douglas 93, Douglas 6 Models with the most aircraft: - [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-83(MD-83)](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-83-md-83): 49 aircraft (airframe model) - [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82(MD-82)](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-82-md-82): 22 aircraft (airframe model) - [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-87](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-87): 13 aircraft (airframe model) - [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-15F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-15f): 3 aircraft (airframe model) - [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-33F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-33f): 3 aircraft (airframe model) - [Douglas DC-9-83](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-83): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Douglas DC9-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc9-15): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Douglas DC-9-15F](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-15f): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Douglas DC-9-21](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-21): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Douglas DC-9-32F](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-32f): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-32): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-32f): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Douglas DC-9-33F](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-33f): 1 aircraft (airframe model) - [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-87 (MD-87)](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-87-md-87): 1 aircraft (airframe model) All 14 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/67-07-03/models.md Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/67-07-03/aircraft.md Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.