AD 90-18-01

90-18-01 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-6709. Docket No. 90-NM-35-AD.

Applicability: All Model DC-10 series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished.

To prevent inadvertent opening of a cargo door in flight, accomplish the following:

A. Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, install hinge pin retainers on each end of all cargo door hinges, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 52-129, Revision 1, dated July 23, 1975.

B. Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, install a vent door-open indicating system on the main deck cargo door equipped with a vent door, which is approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, that will signal the appropriate flightcrew member when the main cargo door vent door is not fully closed and latched.

C. An alternate means of compliance or adjustment of thecompliance time, which provides an acceptable level of safety, may be used when approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.

NOTE: The request should be submitted directly to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, and a copy sent to the cognizant FAA Principal Inspector (PI). The PI will then forward comments or concurrence to the Los Angeles ACO.

D. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes unpressurized 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 documents from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California, Attention Manager, Technical Publication Operation C1-L71 (54-60). These documents may be examined at the FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, Transport AirplaneDirectorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, S.W., Renton, Washington, or at the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California.

This amendment (39-6709, AD 90-18-01) becomes effective on September 30, 1990.