AD 2001-20-12 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757 Series Airplanes

Models named: 757 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model 757 series airplanes having line numbers 1 through 764 inclusive, certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR Part 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR part 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of this AD. The request should include a description of the changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular (AC) 25-1529.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To ensure continued structural integrity of these airplanes, accomplish the following: Revision of Airworthiness Limitations and Certification Maintenance Requirements (a) Within 3 years after the effective date of this AD, revise Section 9 of the Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document entitled “Airworthiness Limitations and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs)” to incorporate Subsection B. of Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision “May 1997,” or Revision “November 1998.” Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, the terms Principal Structural Elements (PSEs) as used in this AD, and Structural Significant Items (SSIs) as used in Section 9 of Boeing 757 MPD Document, are considered to be interchangeable. Reporting Requirements (b) Although Subsection B. of Boeing Document D622N001-9, dated November 1998, references a requirement that cracks found during the specified inspections be reported with 10 days, this AD requires that those reports be submitted to the Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, within 20 days after the inspection. Information collection requirements contained in this regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq. ) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Alternative Methods of Compliance (c) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this AD: After the actions required by paragraph (a) of this AD have been accomplished, no alternative inspections or inspection intervals shall be approved for the PSEs contained in Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision “May 1997” or “November 1998.” (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO. Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Seattle ACO. Special Flight Permits (e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. Incorporation by Reference (f) The MPD revision shall be done in accordance with Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Data Document, Section 9, Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision “MAY 1997;” or Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Data Document, Section 9, Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision “November 1998.” Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Data Document, Section 9, Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision “MAY 1997” contains the following effective pages:   Page No. Revision shown on page List of Effective Pages—Page 9.0-4 May 1997. Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Data Document, Section 9, Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision “November 1998” contains the following effective pages:   Page No. Revision shown on page List of Effective Pages—Page 9.0-5 November 1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. Effective Date (g) This amendment becomes effective on November 20, 2001. Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 4, 2001. Vi L. Lipski, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 01-25617 Filed 10-15-01; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P