# AD 78-20-04: Slat Drive Arm And Drive Shaft

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Boeing DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A, KDC-10) and DC-10-40
- Effective: November 7, 1978
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Large airplane
- Amendment: 39-3308
- Registered aircraft: 25 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/2D64A274FD0F369F862569CA004E59D2.0001
- DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-20-04

## The airworthiness directive

78-20-04 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-3308. Applies to DC-10-10, -10F, -30, -30F and -40 airplanes certificated in all categories.

Compliance is required as indicated unless already accomplished.

To prevent failure of an outboard slat drive arm or drum shaft, accomplish the following:

  (a) Within the next 1500 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless the inspection and modifications specified in McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 27-160, dated March 1, 1978, are already accomplished, inspect the outboard slat drive arms ultrasonically for cracks in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin A27-160 Revision 2, dated March 22, 1978.

  (b) Within the next 4,000 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, inspect by magnetic particle methods for cracks and modify or replace the outboard slat drive arms and drum shafts in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 27-160, dated March 1, 1978.

  (1) As an alternate to applying sealant in accordance with Service Bulletin 27-160, it is permissible to install a lubrication fitting and fillet seal in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-10 Service Bulletin 27-161, dated March 3, 1978, and, thereafter, at intervals not to exceed 2500 hours' time in service apply MIL-G-81322 grease or equivalent to the ARH 7011-1 bolt assembly fitting.

NOTE: Service Bulletin A27-160 Revision 2 dated March 22, 1978, Service Bulletin 27-160 dated March 1, 1978 and Service Bulletin 27-161 dated March 3, 1978 are the only versions of the service bulletins suitable for compliance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD.

  (c) Any outboard slat drive arm or drum shaft found to be cracked must be replaced prior to further flight.

  (d) Equivalent inspections, modifications or parts may be used when approved by the Chief, Aircraft Engineering Division, FAA Western Region.

  (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base for accomplishment of inspections required by this AD.

This amendment becomes effective November 7, 1978.

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS A22WE](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A22WE): The Boeing Company; names 5 of 11 models: DC-10-40, DC-10-10F, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A KDC-10), DC-10-10

## 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: 25 (25 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Mcdonnell Douglas 13, Douglas 7, Mcdonnell-Douglas 5

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-30F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-10-30f): 12 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Douglas DC-10-40](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-10-40): 6 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Mcdonnell-Douglas DC-10-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-10-30): 5 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Douglas DC-10-30F](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-10-30f): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-10-30F (KDC-10)](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-10-30f-kdc-10): 1 aircraft (airframe model)

All 5 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-20-04/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-20-04/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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