# AD 87-13-09: Tailcone Visual Warning

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Boeing DC-9-11, DC-9-12, DC-9-13, DC-9-14, DC-9-15, DC-9-15F, DC-9-21, DC-9-31, DC-9-32, DC-9-32 (VC-9C), DC-9-32F, DC-9-32F (C-9A) and 10 more
- Effective: August 8, 1987
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Large airplane
- Amendment: 39-5665
- Registered aircraft: 99 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/57D923EB6E58DFAC862569F2006C72F9.0001
- DRS record last changed: May 30, 2024
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/87-13-09

## The airworthiness directive

87-13-09 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-5665. Applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 series airplanes, certificated in any category. Compliance required as indicated, unless previously accomplished.

To prevent a tailcone from departing the airplane, unknown to the flight crew, accomplish the following:

A. Within 24 months after the effective date of this airworthiness directive (AD), install a visual warning means, which is approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, that will signal the appropriate flight crew members when the tailcone is not attached to the airplane.

B. Alternate means of compliance which provide an acceptable level of safety may be used when approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region.

C. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base in order to comply with the requirements of this AD.

This Amendment becomes effective August 8, 1987.

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS A6WE](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A6WE): The Boeing Company; names 19 of 25 models: DC-9-12, DC-9-15F, DC-9-41, DC-9-13, DC-9-34F, DC-9-81 (MD-81), DC-9-33F, DC-9-83 (MD-83)…

## 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: 99 (99 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Mcdonnell Douglas 93, Douglas 6

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-83(MD-83)](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-83-md-83): 49 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-82(MD-82)](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-82-md-82): 22 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-87](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-87): 13 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-15F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-15f): 3 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-33F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-33f): 3 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Douglas DC-9-83](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-83): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Douglas DC9-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc9-15): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Douglas DC-9-15F](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-15f): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Douglas DC-9-21](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-21): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Douglas DC-9-32F](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-32f): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-32): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-32F](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-32f): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Douglas DC-9-33F](https://openairdocs.org/model/douglas-dc-9-33f): 1 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Mcdonnell Douglas DC-9-87 (MD-87)](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcdonnell-douglas-dc-9-87-md-87): 1 aircraft (airframe model)

All 14 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/87-13-09/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/87-13-09/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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