79-03-01 R1 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-3403, as amended by Amendment 39-5632. Applies to Model DC-9-10, -20, -30, -40, -50 Series Airplanes, including (Military C-9A, C9B, and VC-9C) airplanes certificated in all categories, fuselage numbers F/N 1 through F/N 880, which correspond to the factory serial numbers listed in Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 57-118 dated November 4, 1977. \n\n\tCompliance required as indicated. To detect fatigue cracks and/or failure of the wing flap outboard idler hinge support fitting attachment studs, accomplish the following: \n\n\t(a)\tWithin the next 850 landings after the effective date of this AD, or before accumulating 10,000 total landings, whichever occurs later, unless already accomplished within the last 2,550 landings, and thereafter at intervals of 3,400 landings from the last inspection, accomplish the ultrasonic inspection in accordance with the instructions in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 57-118, Revision N.C., dated November 4, 1977, or later FAA-approved revision. \n\n\t(b)\tIf any one or more studs is found cracked or failed, or has accumulated 50,000 or more landings, before further flight: \n\n\t\t1.\tReplace all four studs, two PLI washers and applicable attaching parts with new original design studs and PLI washers, and applicable attaching parts; or, \n\n\t\t2.\tReplace all four studs, two PLI washers and applicable attaching parts with new studs, (upper two of original design and lower two of new design and higher heat treat), and two new design PLI washers, and applicable attaching parts, per Option 1, paragraph 2D1, Accomplishment Instructions, as prescribed in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 57-118, Revision N.C., dated November 4, 1977, or later FAA-approved revision. \n\n\t\t3.\tIf new parts are installed per (b)1 above, the requirements of this AD may be discontinued for that idler hinge(s) group of four attachment studs only, until the newly replaced parts have accumulated 10,000 landings, atwhich time reinstate the program of repetitive inspections and/or corrective actions per this AD. \n\n\t\t4.\tThe requirements per this AD may be terminated for that idler hinge(s) group of four attachment studs only, upon compliance with paragraph (b)2 above, or upon installation of two lower studs of new design and two new design PLI washers, and applicable attaching parts, per Option 1, paragraph 2.D.2., Accomplishment Instructions, as prescribed in McDonnell Douglas DC-9 Service Bulletin 57-118, Revision N.C., dated November 4, 1977, or later FAA-approved revision. \n\n\t\t5.\tCompliance with this AD notwithstanding, attachment studs must be replaced in accordance with the schedule specified in Douglas Report MDC-J0005, "DC-9 Safe Life Limits" (Reference DC-9 TC Data Sheet A6WE). \n\n\t(c)\tSpecial flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base for the accomplishment of inspections required by this AD. \n\n\t(d)\tEquivalent inspection procedures and repairs may be used when approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region. \n\n\t(e)\tUpon request of operator, an FAA maintenance inspector, subject to prior approval by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, may adjust the initial and repetitive inspection intervals specified in this AD to permit compliance at an established inspection period of the operator if the request contains substantiating data to justify the increase for that operator. \n\n\t(f)\tFor the purpose of complying with this AD, when records of landings are not available, subject to acceptance by the assigned FAA maintenance inspector, the number of landings may be determined by dividing each airplane's hours' time in service by the operator's fleet average time from takeoff to landing for the airplane type. \n\n\tAmendment 39-3403 became effective March 2, 1979. \n\n\tThis amendment, 39-5632, becomes effectiveJune 12, 1987.