AD 91-22-03

91-22-03 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-8063. Docket No. 90-NM-97-AD.

Applicability: Model DC-9 series airplanes (including C-9 Military), Model DC-9-80 (MD-80) series airplanes, and Model MD-88 airplanes; operating in passenger, passenger/cargo, or all-cargo configuration; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished.

To prevent unexpected tailcone deployment on landing, accomplish the following:

(a) Within 24 months after August 8, 1987 (the effective date of Amendment 39-5665, AD 87-13-09), install a visual indicating means, which is approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, that will signal the appropriate flight crew members when the tailcone is not attached to the airplane.

NOTE: Any modification to install a tailcone missing indicating system that was previously determined by the FAA to comply with AD 87-13-09, meets the requirements of this paragraph.

NOTE: Modification is not required on all-cargo configured airplanes for which an alternative method of compliance was approved for AD 87-13-09, in which the tailcone release system has been deactivated and the tailcone latches are positively retained in the latched position in a manner acceptable to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. However, the tailcone release system must be reactivated prior to further flight upon conversion to a passenger or passenger/cargo configuration.

(b) Within 24 months after the effective date of this amendment, for airplanes listed in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 53-199, Revision 3, dated July 15, 1991, accomplish either paragraph (b)(1) or (b)(2) of this AD, as applicable:

(1) Modify airplanes in a passenger or passenger/cargo configuration by installing the "tailcone unsafe" indicating system in accordance with paragraph 2. of the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnellDouglas Service Bulletin 53-199, Revision 3, dated July 15, 1991. Modification previously accomplished in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 53-199, dated November 25, 1987; Revision 1, dated March 22, 1988; or Revision 2, dated March 17, 1989; is considered to comply with the requirements of this paragraph.

(2) Modify airplanes in an all-cargo configuration by deactivating the tailcone release system in a manner approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. However, the tailcone release system must be reactivated and the procedures specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this AD must be accomplished prior to further flight upon conversion to a passenger or passenger/cargo configuration.

(c) For Model DC-9-80 (MD-80) series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes: within 24 months after the effective date of this amendment, modify the tailcone release actuating mechanism shroud by installing a cover over the slot so the mechanism is not exposed to the cabin. This modification must be accomplished in a manner approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.

(d) Upon accomplishment of the procedures specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this AD, the requirements of paragraph (a) of this AD are no longer applicable and the visual indicating means installed in accordance with that paragraph may be removed.

(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.

(f) 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.

(g) The installation of the "tailcone unsafe" indicating system shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 53-199, Revision 3, dated July 15, 1991. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies may be obtained from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846; ATTN: Business Unit Manager, Technical Publications & Technical Administration Support C1-L5B (45-60). Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue S.W., Renton, Washington; or at the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 1100 L Street N.W., Room 8401, Washington, D.C.

This amendment (39-8063, AD 91-22-03) becomes effective on January 3, 1992.