Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F, DC-10-30F (KC-10A- and KDC-10), DC-10-40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, and MD-10-30F Airplanes; and Model MD-11 and MD-11F Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas transport category airplanes. For certain airplanes, this amendment requires a general visual inspection to detect cracking in the nuts on the lower attach bolt assemblies of the forward attach bracket of the inboard flap outboard hinge, replacement of both upper and lower attach bolt assemblies with new bolts and nuts made from Inconel material, and replacement of certain preload-indicating (PLI) washers with new washers. For certain other airplanes, this amendment requires replacement of the lower attach bolt assemblies of the inboard forward attach bracket of the inboard flap outboard hinge with new bolts and nuts made from Inconel material, and replacement of PLI washers with new washers. This action is necessary to prevent separation of the inboard flap outboard hinge from the wing structure and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.