AD 77-24-05

77-24-05 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-3087. Applies to Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F, and DC-10-40 airplanes, certificated in all categories.

Compliance required as indicated.

To prevent in-flight separation of an air conditioning compartment access door accomplish the following:

(a) Unless already accomplished, within 2000 flight hours after January 12, 1977, (the effective date of AD 77-01-04) accomplish the inspection and rigging procedure specified in the DC-10 Maintenance Manual, Chapter 52-42-01, Temporary Revision 52-231, dated September 17, 1976, Paragraph 3, or later FAA approved revision with the following manual amendments:

(1) Steps outlined in 3.A.(1), (a) through (d) and 3.A.(2) may be omitted.

(2) Before accomplishing steps 3.A.(3), (a), and (b) and (3a), (a) through (g) inspect the doors to verify that when the upper edge of the door makes contact with the door jamb the clearance does not exceed 1.2 inches between thelower edge of the door and door jamb. If this dimension is not exceeded, steps 3.A.(3), (a) and (b) and (3a), (a) through (g) may be omitted. Otherwise, those steps must be performed.

(b) Unless already accomplished, within the next 2000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD modify the air conditioning compartment access door handle as follows:

(1) Install a Camloc stud (fastener) in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin No. 52-116, dated July 2, 1974, or later FAA approved revision, or

(2) Install a handle catch in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin No. 52-168, dated June 7, 1977, or later FAA approved revision.

(3) If the air conditioning compartment access door is removed to accomplish the handle modification, verify the door handle position and loads are in accordance with paragraphs 3.A(11) and 3.A(18) of the DC-10 Maintenance Manual, Chapter 52-42-01, Temporary Revision 52-231, dated September 17, 1976,or later FAA approved revision.

(c) Equivalent procedures or modifications may be approved by the Chief, Aircraft Engineering Division, FAA Western Region.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR's 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base for the accomplishment of this AD.

This amendment supersedes AD 77-01-04.

This amendment becomes effective January 6, 1978.