Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 series airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time detailed visual inspection of the galley power feeder cables and fuselage structure at a certain station to detect chafing or arcing damage to the cables and structure or to detect arcing damage to the insulation blankets; and corrective actions, if necessary. This proposal also would require installation of spacers between the galley power feeder cable clamps and fuselage structure. This proposal is prompted by reports indicating that the galley power feeder cables chafed against a certain fuselage frame in the forward lower cargo compartment, which resulted in electrical arcing. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent such chafing and arcing due to insufficient clearance between the cables and the airplane structure, which could result in smoke and fire in the forward lower cargo compartment.