Is AD 97-9710 a recurring Airworthiness Directive?

No — AD 97-9710 is a one-time directive. Verify it was complied with in the aircraft's records.

Which aircraft does AD 97-9710 apply to?

AD 97-9710 applies to Mcdonnell Douglas — models MD-88. Serial/part conditions may narrow it to specific aircraft.

Airworthiness Directive 97-9710

one-time

AD 97-9710 · 1997-04-22 · airframe

Airworthiness Directives; McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 Series Airplanes and Model MD-88 Airplanes

What this AD requires

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain McDonnell Douglas Model DC-9-80 series airplanes and Model MD-88 airplanes, that currently requires an inspection to determine the type of fluorescent light ballasts installed in the cabin sidewall; and installation of a protective cover on the ballast, replacement, or removal/disconnection of the ballast, if necessary. That action also requires, for some airplanes, removal of the dust barriers from the outboard ceiling panels, and installation of modified outboard ceiling panels. This amendment would add a requirement to replace certain ballasts on which a protective cover is installed with other ballasts, or removal/disconnection of the ballast. This amendment is prompted by additional reports of heavy smoke and fumes emitting from the ceiling panels in the forward passenger cabin due to the failure of the fluorescent light ballasts. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent a fire in the passenger compartment, which could result from failure of the fluorescent light ballast of the upper and lower cabin sidewall, and consequent failure of the dust barriers of the outboard ceiling panel.

Which aircraft AD 97-9710 applies to

MakesMcdonnell Douglas

ModelsMD-88

certain

Whether AD 97-9710 actually applies to your aircraft (by serial and installed parts) and whether it’s already complied with comes from that aircraft’s records.

How AD compliance is recorded

A valid compliance record (14 CFR 43.9) states:

Method of compliance — The specific action taken (inspected, replaced, modified) and to what revision.

Date — When the work was done.

Aircraft time — Total time in service / tach at compliance — how recurring next-due is computed.

Signature & certificate — The A&P/IA who returned it to service, with certificate number.

Is AD 97-9710 complied with on your aircraft?

Tailplate reads a tail number’s logbooks and matches every applicable AD — including this one — to its compliance evidence, with recurring next-due dates computed.

Look up a tail number →Read the full directive (Federal Register)

Applicability is derived from the FAA directive corpus and is advisory, not a legal airworthiness determination. Compliance is established only from an aircraft’s actual records.