Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to all McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time detailed visual inspection to determine if wire segments of the wire bundle routed through the feed through on the aft side of the flight engineer's station are damaged or chafed, and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposal is prompted by a report of smoke coming out of the flight engineer's upper right circuit breaker panel, which was followed by circuit breakers popping and the panel lights going out. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent chafing of the wire bundle located behind the flight engineer's panel caused by the wire bundle coming in contact with the lower edge of the feed through and consequent electrical arcing, which could result in smoke and fire in the cockpit.