92-23-03 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-8403. Docket No. 92-NM-182-AD.\n\n\tApplicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes; as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin A54-31, dated September 17, 1992; certificated in any category.\n\n\tCompliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.\n\n\tTo prevent structural damage to the engine mount structure, which could lead to loss of airplane components, accomplish the following:\n\n\t(a)\tWithin 15 days after the effective date of this AD, unless accomplished within the previous 30 days, perform a visual inspection of the thrust link of the center engine forward mount to verify installation of shear pins, shear pin retainers, and shear pin retainer attaching parts, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin A54-31, dated September 17, 1992.\n\n\t(1)\tIf shear pins, shear pin retainers, and shear pin retainer attaching parts are installed, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 60 days.\n\n\t(2)\tIf any shear pin, shear pin retainer, or shear pin retainer attaching part is missing, prior to further flight, repair in a manner approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate.\n\n\t(b)\tVerification for tightness of the nuts of the four shear pin retainer attaching bolts in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin A54-31, dated September 17, 1992, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (a)(1) of this AD.\n\n\t(c)\tWithin 15 days after finding any discrepancy as a result of any inspections required by paragraph (a) or (a)(1) of this AD, submit a report of the discrepancy to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California 90806-2425; fax (310) 988-5210. The report must include a description of the discrepancy, the airplane serialnumber, and the number of flight hours and landings on the airplane. 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(d)\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 Aircraft Certification Office (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: 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(e)\tSpecial flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.\n\n\t(f)\tThe inspections and verification for tightness (of the nuts of the four shear pin retainer attaching bolts) shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin A54-31, dated September 17, 1992. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies may be obtained from McDonnell Douglas Corporation, P.O. Box 1771, Long Beach, California 90846-0001, Attention: Business Unit Manager, Technical Publications - Technical Administrative Support, C1-L5B. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 3229 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.\n\n\t(g)\tThis amendment becomes effective on November 5, 1992.