95-23-07 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-9427. Docket 95-NM-114-AD. Supersedes AD 95-04-15, Amendment 39-9167. \n\n\tApplicability: Model MD-11 series airplanes, certificated in any category, that are listed in the following service bulletins: \n\n\t- McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049 R03, Revision 03, dated May 18, \n\t 1995, identified as Groups II, III, and IV airplanes; and \n\t- McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-54-049 R01, Revision 1, dated May 18, 1995. \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 (f) of this AD 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 loss of load-carrying and fail-safe capability of the upper inboard spar cap of the wing pylon, which could subsequently reduce the structural integrity of the airplane, accomplish the following: \n\n\t(a)\tFor Groups II, III, and IV airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049 R03, Revision 03, dated May 18, 1995: Within 30 days after March 17, 1995 (the effective date of AD 95-04-15, amendment 39-9167), or within 60 days after accomplishing the immediately preceding visual inspection required by paragraph (b) of AD 95-04-15, whichever occurs later, perform a visual inspection to detect cracking of the outboard and inboard surfaces of the upper spar angles, part numbers (P/N) AUB7519-1/-2, on the number-1 and number 3 wing pylons, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049 R01, Revision 1, dated February 7, 1995; or McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049 R03, Revision 03, dated May 18, 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(1)\tIf no cracking is detected, repeat the visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 60 days or 300 landings, whichever occurs earlier, until the requirements of paragraph (d) of this AD are accomplished.\n \n\t\t(2)\tIfany cracking is detected, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. \n\n\tNOTE 2: Paragraph (a) of this AD restates the requirement for an initial and repetitive inspections contained in paragraph (b) of AD 95-04-15. Therefore, for operators who have previously accomplished at least the initial inspection in accordance with AD 95-04-15, paragraph (a) of this AD requires that the next scheduled inspection be performed within 60 days or 300 landings, whichever occurs earlier, after the last inspection performed in accordance with paragraph (b) of AD 95-04-15. \n\n\t(b)\tFor Groups II, III, and IV airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049 R03, Revision 03, dated May 18, 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 immediately preceding 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, P/N's AUB7519-1/-2, on the number 1 and number 3 wing pylons, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049 R03, Revision 03, dated May 18, 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\t(i)\tIf no cracking is detected, repeat the visual inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 60 days or 300 landings, whichever occurs earlier, until the requirements of paragraph (d) of this AD are accomplished. \n\n\t\t\t(ii)\tIf any cracking is detected, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO. \n\n\t\t(2)\tWithin 15 months after the effective date of this AD, perform an eddy current inspection to detect cracking of the left and right angles of the upper spar angles on the forward end, P/N AUB7519-1/-2, on the number 1 and number 3 wing pylons, in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049 R03, Revision 03, dated May 18, 1995. \n\n\t\t\t(i)\tIf no cracking is detected, repeat the eddy current inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 15 months, until the requirements of paragraph (d) of this AD are accomplished. \n\n\t\t\t(ii)\tIf any cracking is detected, prior to further flight, repair in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO. \n\n\t(c)\tFor Groups II, III, and IV airplanes, as listed in McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049 R03, Revision 03, dated May 18, 1995: At the applicable time specified in either paragraph (c)(1) or (c)(2) of this AD, submit a report of the results (positive findings only) of the inspections required by paragraph (b) of this AD to the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 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(1)\tFor airplanes on which the inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD is accomplished after the effective date of this AD: Submit a report of positive findings within 10 days after performing any of the inspections required by paragraph (b) of this AD. \n\n\t\t(2)\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 daysafter the effective date of this AD. \n\n\t(d)\tFor airplanes listed in McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-54-049 R01, Revision 1, dated May 18, 1995, accomplish the requirements of paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this AD. \n\n\t\t(1)\tFor pylons on which no cracking of the upper spar angles has been detected during the inspections required by either paragraph (a) or (b) of this AD: Within 5 years after the effective date of this AD, replace the spar angles with new spar angles in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-54-049, dated March 31, 1995; or McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-54-049 R01, Revision 1, dated May 18, 1995. \n\n\t\t(2)\tFor pylons on which cracking of the upper spar angles has been repaired in accordance with Rohr Service Bulletin MD11 54-190, dated March 3, 1995: Within 15 months after accomplishment of the repair, replace the spar angles with new spar angles in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-54-049, dated March 31,1995; or McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-54-049 R01, Revision 1, dated May 18, 1995. \n\n\t(e)\tReplacement of the spar angles in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-54-049, dated March 31, 1995; or McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-54-049 R01, Revision 1, dated May 18, 1995, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD. \n\n\t(f)\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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Los Angeles ACO.(g)\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(h)\tThe actions shall be done in accordance with McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049 R01, Revision 1, dated February 7, 1995; McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049 R03, Revision 03, dated May 18, 1995; McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11- 54-049, dated March 31, 1995; and McDonnell Douglas Service Bulletin MD11-54-049 R01, Revision 1, dated May 18, 1995. The incorporation by reference of McDonnell Douglas Alert Service Bulletin MD11-54A049 R01, Revision 1, dated February 7, 1995, 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 March 17, 1995 (60 FR 11623, March 2, 1995). The incorporation by reference of the remainder of theservice documents listed above is 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, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Technical Publications Business Administration, Department C1-L51 (2-60). 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, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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(i)\tThis amendment becomes effective on December 27, 1995.