Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -15, -30, and -40 Series Airplanes; Model MD-10-10F and MD-10-30F Series Airplanes; and KC-10A (Military) Airplanes

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10 series airplanes and KC-10A (military) airplanes, that currently requires repetitive inspections to detect failure of the attachment fasteners located in the banjo No. 4 fitting of the vertical stabilizer. That AD also requires a one-time inspection to detect cracking of the flanges and bolt holes of the banjo No. 4 fitting, and repair or replacement of the attachment fasteners with new, improved fasteners. This amendment adds a new one-time inspection to determine whether certain fasteners are installed in the banjo No. 4 fitting of the vertical stabilizer, and follow-on actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by reports of failure of certain fasteners installed in the banjo No. 4 fitting of the vertical stabilizer. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent cracking of the attachment fasteners of the vertical stabilizer, which could result in loss of fail-safe capability of the vertical stabilizer and reduced controllability of the airplane.