AD 75-16-21

75-16-21 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-2287. Applies to Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F, DC-10-40 airplanes certificated in all categories.

To prevent detachment of the flap vane assembly accomplish the following as indicated:

1. Within the next 150 hours time in service, unless already accomplished, on all airplanes with over 500 landings on or after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the dye penetrant inspection, installation check, and flap actuation described in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Alert Service Bulletin No. A57-48, dated February 20, 1975, or later FAA-approved revisions.

2. Operators shall, by the most immediate and practicable means, notify flight crews and adopt procedures to:

A. Use flap settings not to exceed 35 degrees; and

B. Use speed not to exceed 175 knots when operating with 35 degree flaps.

3. Within 5 days after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished, affix aplacard to the flap position indicator to show 175 knots limit for 35 degree flaps. The 35 degree flap limit and 175 knot limit may be removed when the outboard flap vane assembly supports are modified per McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin Nos. 57-48, dated March 14, 1975, or 57-51, dated April 23, 1975, or later FAA-approved revisions.

4. Modify the outboard flap vane assembly supports per paragraph 6, below, within 450 landings following the inspections and checks specified in paragraph 1, above, on all aircraft with 2000 or more landings time in service on the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

5. Modify the outboard flap vane assembly supports per paragraph 6, below, prior to accumulation of 2450 landings on all airplanes with less than 2000 landings on the effective date of this AD unless already accomplished.

6. Modify outboard flap vane assembly supports at tracks 1, 2, 3, and 4, per McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 57-48, dated March 14, 1975, or later FAA-approved revisions, or McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 57-51, dated April 23, 1975, or later FAA-approved revisions, or in accordance with an equivalent modification approved by the Chief, Aircraft Engineering Division, FAA Western Region, within the compliance times specified in paragraph 4 or 5, above.

7. Parts modified per Service Bulletin 57-48, per paragraph 6, above, must be replaced prior to the accumulation of 2000 landings following their modification with either serviceable parts per S.B. 57-48, or new parts, per S.B. 57-51.

8. Modification of the outboard flap vane assembly supports per Service Bulletin 57-51, dated April 23, 1975, or later FAA-approved revisions, when accomplished, relieves the operator from the requirements of this AD. The new parts installed per Service Bulletin 57-51 are not life-limited.

9. Equivalent inspections and repairs may be approved by the Chief, Aircraft Engineering Division, FAA Western Region.10. Special flight permits may be issued under FAR 21.197 and 21.199 for the purpose of moving the aircraft to a base to perform the requirements of this AD.

11. This supersedes the telegraphic AD dated March 14, 1975.

This amendment becomes effective August 6, 1975.