AD 81-16-51

81-16-51 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-4448. Applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 and C-9 (Military) series airplanes, equipped with an upper cargo door, whether in use or de-activated, with more than 30,000 landings, certificated in all categories. Compliance required as indicated unless previously accomplished.

A. To detect cracked or failed cargo door latch hooks P/N 3924285 and latch spool bolts P/N 4924325, within 10 calendar days after the effective date of this AD, accomplish the following:

1. Open the upper cargo door sufficiently to conduct close visual inspection of the chromed surface of the cargo door latch hooks and perform a wrench check of the latch spool bolts as defined in the Accomplishment Instructions of DC-9 Alert Service Bulletin A52-130 dated July 24, 1981, or later FAA approved revision.

2. Replace any cracked or failed latch hooks or any separated latch spool bolts before further flight.

3. Safety wire both ends of all remaininglatch spool bolts per item 5 of DC-9 Alert Service Bulletin A52-130 dated July 24, 1981.

B. Within 2,000 landings or 6 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs earlier, conduct visual and magnetic particle inspections of the cargo door latch hooks and latch spool bolts as defined in the Accomplishment Instructions of DC-9 Alert Service Bulletin A52-130 dated July 24, 1981.

C. Replace any cracked or failed latch hooks and latch spool bolts before further flight.

D. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base for the accomplishment of inspections and repairs required for the purposes of this AD when approved by the Chief, Los Angeles Area Aircraft Certification Office, FAA Northwest Mountain Region.

E. For the purposes of complying with this AD, subject to the acceptance by the assigned FAA maintenance inspector, the number of landings may be determined by dividing each airplane's hours time in service by the operator's fleet average time from takeoff to landing.

F. Alternate means of compliance which provide an equivalent level of safety may be used when approved by the Chief, Los Angeles Area Aircraft Certification Office, FAA Northwest Mountain Region.

The manufacturer's specifications and procedures identified and described in this directive are incorporated herein and made a part hereof pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1).

All persons affected by this directive who have not already received these documents from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Director, Publications and Training, C1-750 (54-60). These documents also may be examined at FAA Northwest Mountain Region, 17900 Pacific Highway South, C-68966, Seattle, Washington 98168, or Los Angeles Area Aircraft Certification Office, 4344 Donald Douglas Drive, Long Beach, California 90808.This amendment becomes effective September 21, 1982, and was effective earlier to those recipients of Telegraphic AD T81-16-51, dated July 24, 1981.