AD 88-11-03

88-11-03 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-5922. Applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-70 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Compliance required as indicated below.

To prevent the possibility of a fire that can be attributed to chafed generator feeder cable in a fuel contaminated pylon, accomplish the following:

A. Within 30 days after the effective date of this airworthiness directive (AD), unless previously accomplished within the last 3,500 flight hours, inspect the generator power feeder cables, support brackets, and clamps between bulkhead feed-through at Station YN = 278.500 and Terminal Strip S3-7000 at engine pylons 1, 2, 3, and 4, for evidence of arcing, burning, chafing, or damage and cable droop, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin A24-72, dated April 6, 1988.

1. If no evidence of arcing, burning, chafing, damage, or drooping exists, proceed to paragraph A.3., below.

2. If evidence of arcing, burning, chafing, damage or drooping exists, repair or replace parts, as required, in accordance with the service bulletin.

3. Verify that nuts securing cable terminals to Terminal Strip S3-7000 are tightened to a torque of 120 to 130 inch-pounds.

B. Repeat the procedures specified in paragraph A., above, at intervals not to exceed 3,500 flight hours.

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

NOTE: The request should be forwarded through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI), who may add any comments and then send it to the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office.

D. 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.

All persons affected by this directive who have not already received the appropriate service information from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Director of Publications, C1-L00 (54-60). This information may be examined at the FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, 17900 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, Washington or the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 4344 Donald Douglas Drive, Long Beach, California.

This Amendment becomes effective June 3, 1988.