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

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, -10F, -15, -30, -30F (KC-10A and KDC-10 military), -40, and -40F series airplanes, that requires a one-time inspection of the wiring and wire bundles of the aft main avionics rack (MAR) to determine if the wires are damaged, or riding or chafing on structure, clamps, braces, standoffs, or clips, and to detect damaged or out of alignment rubber cushion inserts of the wiring clamps; and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by an incident in which the automatic and manual cargo door test in the cockpit was inoperative during dispatch of the airplane, due to wiring of the MAR chafing against clamps as a result of the wire bundles being installed improperly during production of the airplane. The actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure that the wires that route from the main wire bundles to the MAR and associated brackets, clamps, braces, standoffs, and clips are installed properly. Improper installation of such wiring and structure could cause chafing of the wires/wire bundles, which could result in electrical arcing, smoke, and possible fire in the MAR.