AD 91-15-06

91-15-06 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-7069. Docket No. 90-NM-279-AD.

Applicability: All Model DC-8F, DC-8-61F, -62F, -63F, -71F, -72F, and -73F series airplanes, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished.

To prevent inadvertent opening of the forward upper cargo door in flight, a condition which could result in loss of pressurization and reduced controllability of the aircraft, accomplish the following:

A. Within four months after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed one year, perform magnetic particle inspections on the cargo door latch spool fitting attach bolts or replace the non-Inconel (H-11) cargo door latch spool fitting attach bolts with new bolts, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions for Phase 2 of McDonnell Douglas DC-8 Service Bulletin 52-82 Revision 3, dated October 19, 1990 (hereafter referred to as "the Service Bulletin").

1. If a bolt does not pass the magnetic particle inspection, prior to further flight, replace it with a new bolt and seal in accordance with the Service Bulletin.

2. If a bolt passes the magnetic particle inspection, prior to further flight, reinstall the bolt and seal in accordance with the Service Bulletin.

B. The inspections required by paragraph A. of this AD are not required for Inconel bolts, part numbers RA21026-7-23, 77711-7-24, 3D0031-7-24, VCC0098-7-24, 1489-7-24, or 577-7-24.

C. Within two years after the effective date of this AD, replace all non-Inconel cargo door latch spool fitting attach bolts with Inconel bolts, part numbers RA21026-7-23, 77711-7-24, 3D0031-7-24, VCC0098-7-24, 1489-7-24, or 577-7-24, in accordance with the Service Bulletin.

Installation of these Inconel bolts constitutes terminating action for the requirements of paragraph A. of this AD.

D. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanesunpressurized to a base for the accomplishment of the requirements of this AD.

E. An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance 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 forwarded through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

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, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach, California 90846-0001, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical Publications, C1-HCW (54-60). These documents may be examined at the FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue S.W., Renton, Washington; or the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California.

This amendment (39-7069, AD 91-15-06) becomes effective on August 16, 1991.