Action
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Summary
We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, and MD-10-10F airplanes. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections for cracking on the lower cap of the rear spar of the left and right wings between stations Xors=417 and the outboard edge of the lower cap splice of the wing rear spar at station Xors=400; temporary and permanent repairs if necessary; and repetitive inspections of repaired areas and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD results from reports of three instances of fuel leaks in the lower cap splice of the wing rear spar at station Xors=409. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking on the lower cap of the rear spar of the left and right wings between stations Xors=417 and the outboard edge of the lower cap splice of the wing rear spar at station Xors=400, which could result in fuel leaks or cracking of the lower wing skin and structure, causing possible inability of the structure to sustain the limit load adversely affecting the structural integrity of the airplane.