Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 Series Airplanes and C-9 (Military) Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9 series airplanes and C-9 (military) series airplanes, that requires modification of the emergency internal release system of the tailcone and the accessory compartment. This amendment is prompted by a report that, due to failure of the tailcone release system, the tailcone did not deploy on an airplane during an emergency evacuation. The actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure that the emergency internal release system of the tailcone performs its intended function in the event of an emergency evacuation. The actions also are intended to prevent people on board the airplane from striking their heads on exposed metal frames in the tailcone area, which could cause injury and delay or impede their evacuation during an emergency.