Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-33, -43, -51, -52, -53, and -55 Series Airplanes; Model DC-8F-54, and -55 Series Airplanes; and Model DC-8-61, -61F, -62, -62F, -63, -63F, -71, -71F, -72, -72F, -73, and -73F Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-8-33, -43, -51, - 52, -53, and -55 series airplanes; Model DC-8F-54, and -55 series airplanes; and Model DC-8-61, -61F, -62, -62F, -63, -63F, -71, -71F, - 72, -72F, -73, and -73F series airplanes. This action requires repetitive inspections of the electrical connectors of the explosive cartridge wiring of the engine fire extinguisher containers to verify if the identification number labels are installed and legible; repetitive electrical tests of all explosive cartridge wiring of the engine fire extinguisher containers to verify proper installation and function; and corrective actions, if necessary. This action is necessary to detect and correct cross-wired electrical connectors of the fire extinguishing system, which could release fire extinguishing agent into the incorrect engine nacelle in the event of an engine fire.