AD 88-04-01
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-6 | Airworthiness Directives; MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-6, -6A, -6B, R6D, and C-118A Series Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-6A | Airworthiness Directives; MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-6, -6A, -6B, R6D, and C-118A Series Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | DC-6B | Airworthiness Directives; MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-6, -6A, -6B, R6D, and C-118A Series Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | Navy R6D-1 | Airworthiness Directives; MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-6, -6A, -6B, R6D, and C-118A Series Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | Navy R6D-1Z | Airworthiness Directives; MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-6, -6A, -6B, R6D, and C-118A Series Airplanes |
| aircraft | The Boeing Company | USAF C-118A | Airworthiness Directives; MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-6, -6A, -6B, R6D, and C-118A Series Airplanes |
Unsafe Condition
Cracks in the vertical stabilizer rear spar attach fittings could lead to failure of the fittings.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Inspect the vertical stabilizer rear spar attach fittings within 3 months after the effective date (March 21, 1988) or within the last 9 months, and thereafter every year or before further flight, whichever is later. Apply LPS-3 corrosion inhibiting oil after each inspection. Replace fittings before further flight if cracks match Service Bulletin 723's paragraph 1, multiple fittings are cracked, or cracks are chordwise. Replace within 3 months or before flight if cracks match Service Bulletin 723's paragraph 2.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
Within the next 3 months after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished within the last 9 months, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed one year or before further flight, whichever occurs later
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
McDonnell Douglas Model DC-6, -6A, -6B, R6D, and C-118A series airplanes, certificated in any category
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
Vertical Stabilizer Spar Fittings
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_88-04-01.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 88-04-01 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-6, -6A, -6B, R6D, and C-118A Series Airplanes Subject: Vertical Stabilizer Spar Fittings Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: Effective Date: 03/21/1988 Make: The Boeing Company Model: DC-6 | DC-6A | DC-6B | Navy R6D-1 | Navy R6D-1Z | USAF C-118A Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Large Airplane Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: Office of Primary Responsibility: CFR Part Reference: Part 39 Comments: AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 88-04-01 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: 39-5845 AD NUMBER: 88-04-01 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-6, -6A, -6B, R6D, and C-118A Series Airplanes ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: Effective March 21, 1988. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 88-04-01 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-5845. Applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-6, -6A, -6B, R6D, and C-118A series airplanes, certificated in any category. Compliance required as indicated, unless previously accomplished. To detect cracks and prevent failure of the vertical stabilizer rear spar attach fittings, accomplish the following: A. Within the next 3 months after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished within the last 9 months, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed one year or before further flight, whichever occurs later, inspect the vertical stabilizer rear spar attach fittings, front and rear, right and left, in accordance with Douglas DC-6 Service Bulletin 723, dated May 27, 1957, or later revisions approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, After each inspection, apply LPS-3 corrosion inhibiting oil, or equivalent, to each fitting. B. If a crack is found, accomplish the following: 1. Replace the fitting(s) before further flight for each of the following conditions: a. a crack is found that matches the description in paragraph 1. of Douglas DC-6 Service Bulletin 723, dated May 27, 1957, or later revisions approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region; b. more than 1 fitting per airplane is cracked; c. the crack is chordwise. 2. Replace the fitting within the next 3 months after the crack is found, or before further flight, whichever occurs later, if the crack matches the description of paragraph 2. of Douglas DC-6 Service Bulletin 723, dated May 27, 1957, or later revisions approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region. C. Alternate means of compliance which provide an acceptable level of safety may be used when approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region. D. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a base to comply with the repair requirement of this AD when approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region. All persons affected by this directive who have not already received the appropriate service information from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Director of Publications, C1-L00 (54-60). These documents may be examined at the FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, 17900 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, Washington, or the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 4344 Donald Douglas Drive, Long Beach, California. This Amendment becomes effective March 21, 1988. FOOTER:
Document Text
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AD Final Rules - DRS_88-04-01.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 88-04-01 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-6, -6A, -6B, R6D, and C-118A Series Airplanes Subject: Vertical Stabilizer Spar Fittings Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: Effective Date: 03/21/1988 Make: The Boeing Company Model: DC-6 | DC-6A | DC-6B | Navy R6D-1 | Navy R6D-1Z | USAF C-118A Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Large Airplane Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: Office of Primary Responsibility: CFR Part Reference: Part 39 Comments: AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 88-04-01 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: 39-5845 AD NUMBER: 88-04-01 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; MCDONNELL DOUGLAS DC-6, -6A, -6B, R6D, and C-118A Series Airplanes ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: Effective March 21, 1988. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 88-04-01 MCDONNELL DOUGLAS: Amendment 39-5845. Applies to McDonnell Douglas Model DC-6, -6A, -6B, R6D, and C-118A series airplanes, certificated in any category. Compliance required as indicated, unless previously accomplished. To detect cracks and prevent failure of the vertical stabilizer rear spar attach fittings, accomplish the following: A. Within the next 3 months after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished within the last 9 months, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed one year or before further flight, whichever occurs later, inspect the vertical stabilizer rear spar attach fittings, front and rear, right and left, in accordance with Douglas DC-6 Service Bulletin 723, dated May 27, 1957, or later revisions approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, After each inspection, apply LPS-3 corrosion inhibiting oil, or equivalent, to each fitting. B. If a crack is found, accomplish the following: 1. Replace the fitting(s) before further flight for each of the following conditions: a. a crack is found that matches the description in paragraph 1. of Douglas DC-6 Service Bulletin 723, dated May 27, 1957, or later revisions approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region; b. more than 1 fitting per airplane is cracked; c. the crack is chordwise. 2. Replace the fitting within the next 3 months after the crack is found, or before further flight, whichever occurs later, if the crack matches the description of paragraph 2. of Douglas DC-6 Service Bulletin 723, dated May 27, 1957, or later revisions approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region. C. Alternate means of compliance which provide an acceptable level of safety may be used when approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region. D. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a base to comply with the repair requirement of this AD when approved by the Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region. All persons affected by this directive who have not already received the appropriate service information from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to McDonnell Douglas Corporation, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, Long Beach, California 90846, Attention: Director of Publications, C1-L00 (54-60). These documents may be examined at the FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, 17900 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, Washington, or the Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office, 4344 Donald Douglas Drive, Long Beach, California. This Amendment becomes effective March 21, 1988. FOOTER:
Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026
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