95-04-15: Upper Spar Angles

95-04-15 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-9167. Docket 95-NM-21-AD. Supersedes AD 94-26-11, Amendment 39-9106.\n\n\tApplicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes having manufacturer's fuselage number 447 through 573 inclusive, and 575 through 578 inclusive; certificated in any category.\n\n\tNOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority provided in paragraph (e) to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition; or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any airplane from the applicability of this AD.\n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.\n\n\tTo prevent reduced structural integrity of the airplane, accomplish the following:\n\n\t(a)\tFor airplanes listed in McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Alert Service Bulletin A54-49, dated December 2, 1994, accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.\n\n\t\t(1)\tWithin 30 days after January 12, 1995 (the effective date of AD 94-26-11, amendment 39-9106), unless accomplished previously within the last 30 days prior to January 12, 1995, perform a visual inspection to detect cracking of the outboard and inboard surfaces of the upper spar angles, part numbers AUB7519-1/-2, on the number 1 and number 3 wing pylons, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Alert Service Bulletin A54-49, dated December 2, 1994.(2)\tAt the applicable time specified in either paragraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this AD, submit a report of the results (both positive and negative findings) of the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; or fax the report to (310) 627-5210. Information collection requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.\n\n\t\t\t(i)\tFor airplanes on which the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD is accomplished after January 12, 1995: Submit the report within 10 days after performing the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD.\n\n\t\t\t(ii)\tFor airplanes on which the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD is accomplished prior to January 12, 1995: Submit the report within 10 days after January 12, 1995.\n\n\t(b)\tFor airplanes listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049, Revision 1, dated February 7, 1995, accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD.\n\n\t\t(1)\tWithin 30 days after the effective date of this AD, or within 60 days after accomplishing the visual inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, whichever occurs later, perform a visual inspection to detect cracking of the outboard and inboard surfaces of the upper spar angles, part numbers AUB7519-1/-2, on the number 1 and number 3 wing pylons, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049, Revision 1, dated February 7, 1995. Repeat this inspection thereafter, prior to further flight, following each incident of excessive maneuver, turbulence overload (as defined in MD-11 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, chapter 05-51-01), or hard landing (as defined in MD-11 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, chapter 05-51-03).\n\n\t\t(2)\tAt the applicable time specified in either paragraph (b)(2)(i) or (b)(2)(ii) of this AD, submit a report of the results (both positive and negative findings) of the inspections required by paragraph (b) of this AD to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California 90712; or fax the report to (310) 627-5210. Information collection requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.\n\n\t\t\t(i)\tFor airplanes on which the inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD is accomplished after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after performing any of the inspections required by paragraph (b) of this AD.\n\n\t\t\t(ii)\tFor airplanes on which the inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD is accomplished prior to the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the effective date of this AD.\n\n\t(c)\tIf no cracking is detected during the inspections required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 60 days or 300 landings, whichever occurs first, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049, Revision 1, dated February 7, 1995.\n\n\t(d)\tIf any cracking is detected during the inspection required by either paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.\n\n\t(e)\tAn alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Los Angeles ACO.\n\n\tNOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.\n\n\t(f)\tSpecial flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.\n\n\t(g)\tThe inspections shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049, Revision 1, dated February 7, 1995, and McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Alert Service Bulletin A54-49, dated December 2, 1994. The incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049, Revision 1, dated February 7, 1995, is approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 Alert Service Bulletin A54-49, dated December 2, 1994, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 as of January 12, 1995 (59 FR 66669, December 28, 1994). Copies may be obtained from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach, California 90801-1771, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical Administrative Support, Dept. L51, M.C. 2-98. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.\n\n\t(h)\tThis amendment becomes effective on March 17, 1995.