Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -30, and -40 series airplanes. This proposal would require replacement of certain taper-lok attachments and forward trunnion bolts with new components that attach the left and right main landing gear (MLG) to each wing. This proposal is prompted by a report indicating that, due to overstrength of the forward trunnion bolt, an MLG broke away and ruptured a wing fuel tank while an airplane was being operated off the runway. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to ensure that the MLG separates from the wing when it is subjected to unpredictable overloads during abnormal operations, and to prevent consequent primary structural damage to the airplane.