AD 92-06-15

92-06-15 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-8195. Docket No. 89-NM-43-AD. Supersedes AD 69-15-04, Amendment 39-1396.

Applicability: Model DST, Super DC-3, DC-3, DC-3A, DC-3B, DC-3C, and DC-3D series airplanes; all military versions, C-41, C-41A, C-47, C-47A, C-47B, C-48, C-48A, C-49, C-49A, C-49B, C-49C, C-49D, C-49J, C-49K, C-50, C-50A, C-50B, C-50C, C-50D, C-51, C-52, C-52A, C-52B, C-52C, C-53, C-53B, C-53C, C-53D, C-68, C-117A, C-117D, and R4D series airplanes, including those modified for turbo-propeller power; certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent structural failure of the wings, accomplish the following:

(a) For airplanes not modified with the repair or preventive doublers at both wing stations 94.250 and 127.750, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 229, any revision; or McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 263, any revision through Revision 8, dated December 15, 1971; or McDonnell Douglas Service Rework Drawing SR03578003, dated April 6, 1988; accomplish the following:

(1) Within 900 hours time-in-service after performing the last inspection in accordance with AD 69-15-04, Amendment 39-1396, or within one year after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, accomplish the following:

(i) Inspect the wing in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Rework Drawing SR03578001, dated March 11, 1988; or McDonnell Douglas Service Rework Drawing SR03578002, Revision A, dated September 26, 1988; for the applicable airplanes, using the visual and X-ray techniques specified. Repeat the visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2,000 hours time-in-service.

(ii) Modify the airplane to incorporate access holes, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Rework Drawing SRO3548001, Revision A, dated March 7, 1989.

NOTE: Airplanes previously modified to incorporate access holes do not have to be remodified if visibility and access can be obtained.

(2) Within 2,000 hours time-in-service or two years after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, modify the wing in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Rework Drawing SR03578003, dated April 6, 1988.

(b) For airplanes modified to incorporate the repair or preventive doublers at both wing stations 94.250 and 127.750, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 229, any revision; or McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 263, any revision through Revision 8, dated December 15, 1971; or McDonnell Douglas Service Rework Drawing SR03578003, dated April 6, 1988: Within 2,000 hours time-in-service after the last inspection in accordance with AD 69-15-04, Amendment 39-1396, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2,000 hours time-in-service, inspect the wing using the visual method specified in McDonnell Douglas Service Rework Drawing SR03578001, dated March 11, 1988; and McDonnell Douglas Service Rework Drawing SR03578002, Revision A, dated September 26, 1988; for the applicable airplanes.

(c) Cracked structure detected during the inspections required by paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD must be repaired or replaced prior to further flight, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Rework Drawing SR03578003, dated April 6, 1988.

(d) 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. The request shall be forwarded through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.

(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD may be accomplished.

(f) The inspections, repairs, and modifications shall be donein accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Rework Drawings No. SR03578003, dated April 6, 1988; No. SR03578001, dated March 11, 1988; No. SR03578002, Revision A, dated September 26, 1988; and No. SR03548001, Revision A, dated March 7, 1989. 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 98055-4056. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington; or at Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 1100 L Street NW., Room 8401, Washington, DC.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on April 28, 1992.