Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8 series airplanes. This proposal would require installation of heat shrinkable tubing or application of Peel-Kote on each terminal connection of all cabin lighting switches in the forward and aft cabin electrical service panels. This action is necessary to prevent a short circuit within the cabin electrical service panel due to a foreign object being lodged between the terminals of a cabin light switch. Such a short circuit could result in overheating and damage to light circuits, and consequent smoke and fire in the main cabin of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.