85-21-03: Engine Modification
FAA order 85-21-03 is an airworthiness directive in force since November 4, 1985. The FAA's subject line: Engine Modification. It names Douglas DC-8: about 6 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: engine.
What it applies to as the FAA lists it
- Kind of product
- Aircraft
- Makes
- The Boeing Company
- Models
- DC-8-71, DC-8-72, DC-8-73
- On this site
- Douglas DC-8 6 registered
Dates and paperwork
- In force since
- November 4, 1985
- Docket
- Unknown
- Status
- Current
- The FAA's document
- Read the order on the FAA's site
The order itself the regulatory text, as published
Show the full text (1,857 characters)
85-21-03 McDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-5143. Applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-71, -72, and -73 series airplanes certificated in any category. To minimize inflight shutdowns due to oil loss, accomplish the following unless previously accomplished: \n\n\tA.\tWithin eighteen (18) months, or three thousand (3,000) landings, whichever occurs earlier, after the effective date of this AD, modify at least one engine on each side of the airplane in accordance with paragraph B., below, and complete the modifications on all engines within thirty-six (36) months, or six thousand (6,000) landings, whichever occurs earlier after the effective date of this AD. \n\n\tB.\tAccomplish the modification described in paragraph A., above, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin 71-96, dated February 12, 1985, or later revisions approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region. \n\n\tC.\tSpecial flight permits may be issued in accordancewith FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base in order to comply with the requirements of this AD. \n\n\tD.\tAlternate means of compliance which provide an acceptable level of safety may be used when approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region. \n\n\tAll persons affected by this directive who have not already received these documents from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to the McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Director, Publications and Training, C1-750 (54-60). These documents also may be examined at the FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, 17900 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, Washington, or at 4344 Donald Douglas Drive, Long Beach, California. \n\n\tThis amendment becomes effective November 4, 1985.
Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders
2019-02-19NE-19-03 · Escape Slide Maintenance Tasks and Intervals - JASC 2565
2014-11-24NM-15-03 · Flight Controls
2008-12-11NM-09-03 · Engine Fuel and Control - Implementing Fuel Tank System Airworthiness Limitations
2006-07-27NM-06-57 · Reports of damage to airplanes and to property on the ground caused by blue or clear ice falling from airplanes.
Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of November 6, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/85-21-03.json · aircraft systems.
