AD 92-02-04

92-02-04 McDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-8140. Docket No. 91-NM-150-AD. Supersedes AD 89-06-06, Amendment 39-6150.

Applicability: Model DC-9 series airplanes, Model DC-9-80 series airplanes, Model MD-88 airplanes, and C-9 (Military) series airplanes; serial numbers as listed in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 27-301, Revision 1, dated May 24, 1991; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished.

To prevent uncontrolled airplane sideslip due to an ineffective rudder actuator, accomplish the following:

(a) For Model DC-9-11, -12, -13, -14, -15, -15F, -21, and -87 series airplanes:

(1) Within 500 flight hours after April 12, 1989 (the effective date of AD 89-06-06, Amendment 39-6150), unless already accomplished within the last 1,000 flight hours, inspect the rudder actuator for internal hydraulic fluid leakage in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Alert Service Bulletin A27-291, Revision 3, datedAugust 24, 1988.

(2) If the rudder actuator internal hydraulic fluid leakage is within the limits specified in that service bulletin, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight hours.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this AD, for Model DC-9-31, -32, -32F, -33, -34, -34F, -41, -51, -81, -82, -83, and MD-88 series airplanes:

(1) Within 1,500 flight hours after April 12, 1989 (the effective date of AD 89-06-06, Amendment 39-6150), unless already accomplished within the last 1,500 flight hours, inspect the rudder actuator for internal hydraulic fluid leakage in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Alert Service Bulletin A27-291, Revision 3, dated August 24, 1988.

(2) If the rudder actuator internal hydraulic fluid leakage is within the limits specified in that service bulletin, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight hours.

(c) For Model DC-9-82, -83, and MD-88 series airplanes, with rudder actuator assemblyserial numbers listed in McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Alert Service Bulletin A27-318, dated June 10, 1991:

(1) Within 1,500 flight hours after April 12, 1989 (the effective date of AD 89-06-06, Amendment 39-6150), or within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this amendment, whichever occurs earlier, inspect the rudder actuator assembly for internal hydraulic fluid leakage, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Alert Service Bulletin A27-318, dated June 10, 1991.

(2) If the rudder actuator internal hydraulic fluid leakage is within the limits specified in that service bulletin, repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight hours.

(d) If any inspection required by paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this AD reveals that the rudder actuator exceeds the internal hydraulic fluid leakage limit specified in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Alert Service Bulletin A27-291, Revision 3, dated August 24, 1988, or McDonnell Douglas MD-80Alert Service Bulletin A27-318, dated June 10, 1991, as applicable, prior to further flight, replace the rudder actuator with a rudder actuator that is within those limits.

(e) For Model DC-9 series, Model DC-9-80 series, Model MD-88, and C-9 (Military) series airplanes: Within 10,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, modify the rudder actuator in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 27-301, dated June 21, 1989, or Revision 1, dated May 24, 1991. This modification constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by this AD.

NOTE: This terminating action only eliminates the need for the special shortened interval repetitive inspections of this AD. The actuators should then return to the routine inspection leakage check intervals as specified in the operators maintenance program.

(f) 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.

(g) 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.

(h) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Alert Service Bulletin A27-291, Revision 3, dated August 24, 1988, or in accordance with McDonnell Douglas MD-80 Alert Service Bulletin A27-318, dated June 10, 1991, as applicable. The modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 27-301, dated June 21, 1989; or McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 27-301, Revision 1, dated May 24, 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, Post Office Box 1771, Long Beach, California 90801, Attn: Business Unit Manager, Technical Publications & Technical Administration Support, C1-L5B (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 8041, Washington, D.C.

(i) This amendment (39-8140, AD 92-02-04), becomes effective on March 27, 1992.