AD 77-17-02

77-17-02 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-3015. Applies to DC-10-10, -10F, -30, -30F and -40 series airplanes, certificated in all categories.

Compliance required as indicated.

To reduce the probability and severity of an inadvertent engagement of the autopilot actuators, accomplish the following:

a. Within 300 additional hours flight time, or thirty days from the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs earlier, unless already accomplished, modify the -5 or earlier pitch guidance control panels, P/N's 3759027, 3759028, 3759029 or 3759050, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin A22-96, Revision 1, dated July 8, 1977, or later FAA approved revisions. For panel modification and testing, the Douglas Alert Service Bulletin A22-96 refers the modifier to Bendix Alert Service Bulletins A3759027-5-SB7, A3759028-5-SB-7, A3759029-5-SB7 and A3759050-5-SB5 which are embodied into one document dated June 3, 1977. Approval of the Bendix Service Bulletinsis delegated to the Bendix Corporation by the FAA via the TSO system. Approval for incorporation into the DC-10 is via the Douglas Alert Service Bulletin A22-96. For this AD, revisions to the Bendix Bulletins referred to herein must be approved by revisions of Douglas Service Bulletin A22-96.

b. Production equivalents or equivalent modifications may be used when approved by the Chief, Aircraft Engineering Division, FAA Western Region.

c. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR's 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base for accomplishment of the modification required by this AD.

This amendment becomes effective August 22, 1977.