AD 91-22-07

91-22-07 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-8067. Docket No. 91-NM-88-AD. Supersedes AD 91-03-07, Amendment 39-6869.

Applicability: Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, and -50 series and C-9 (Military) series airplanes; fitted with left (LH) or right (RH) main landing gear (MLG) outboard door with a wing-mounted aluminum hinge half (Group I) or titanium hinge half (Group II); certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished.

To prevent the loss of the LH or RH MLG outboard door, accomplish the following:

(a) For Group I airplanes: Within 30 days after February 11, 1991 (the effective date of Amendment 39-6869, AD 91-03-07), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed one year, accomplish the following in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin A32-244, dated November 20, 1990, for both the LH and RH MLG outboard door assemblies:

(1) Inspect the MLG door for delamination; and

(2) Inspect the MLG door linkages and their attachments for corrosion, pitting, wear, and general conditions; and

(3) Inspect the MLG door hinge lobes on both the wing-mounted hinge half and door-mounted hinge half for cracks and corrosion; and

(4) Inspect the hinge halves on articulating doors for cracks and corrosion.

(b) For Group II airplanes: Within 50 days after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed one year, accomplish the following in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin A32-244, dated November 20, 1990, for both the LH and RH MLG outboard door assemblies:

(1) Inspect the MLG door for delamination; and

(2) Inspect the MLG door linkages and their attachments for corrosion, pitting, wear, and general conditions; and

(3) Inspect the MLG door hinge lobes on both the wing-mounted hinge half and door-mounted hinge half for cracks and corrosion; and

(4) Inspect the hinge halves on articulating doors for cracksand corrosion.

(c) For Group I and II airplanes: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, measure the aluminum hinge lobes, if bushed, for minimum wall thickness of .055 inch or greater, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin A32-244, dated November 20, 1990.

(d) If discrepancies are found as a result of the inspections required by paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair in a manner approved by the Manager of the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO).

(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 permitsmay 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 inspection, replacement, and repair requirements shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin A32-244, dated November 20, 1990. 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, P. O. Box 1771, Long Beach, California 90846-0001, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical Publications, C1-HDR (54-60). 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.

Airworthiness Directive 91-22-07 supersedes AD 91-03-07, Amendment 39-6869.

This amendment (39-8067, AD 91-22-07) becomes effective on December 3, 1991.