AD 2003-18-10 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER Series Airplanes

Models named: 767-200, -300, -300F, -400ER series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes having line numbers 1 through 895 inclusive, certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e)(1) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To ensure that fatigue cracking of various principal structural elements, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of these airplanes, is detected and corrected, accomplish the following: Restatement of Requirements of AD 2001-08-28 Revise Section 9 of the Boeing 767 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document (a) For Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes having line numbers 1 through 669 inclusive: Within 3 years after June 1, 2001 (the effective date of AD 2001-08-28, amendment 39-12205), revise Subsection B, Section 9, of Boeing 767 MPD Document D622T001-9, entitled “Airworthiness Limitations and Certification Maintenance Requirements,” to incorporate Revision June 1997, June 2000, February 2001, or October 2002. Note 2: The referenced Subsection B contains a requirement that cracks found during the specified inspections be reported to the Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. 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. Note 3: 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 Model 767 MPD Document, are considered to be interchangeable. Alternative Inspections and Inspection Intervals (b) Except as provided by paragraph (e)(1) 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 SSIs contained in Section 9 of Boeing 767 MPD Document D622T001-9, Revision June 1997, June 2000, or February 2001. New Requirements of This AD Revise Section 9 of the Boeing 767 MPD (c) For Model 767-200, -300, -300F, and -400ER series airplanes having line numbers 1 through 895 inclusive: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, revise Subsection B, Section 9, of Boeing 767 MPD Document D622T001-9, entitled “Airworthiness Limitations and Certification Maintenance Requirements,” to incorporate Revision October 2002; and Appendix B of Boeing 767 MPD Document D622T001, Revision December 2002. Accomplishment of this paragraph terminates the requirements in paragraph (a) of this AD. Alternative Inspections and Inspection Intervals (d) Except as provided by paragraph (e)(1) of this AD: After the actions required by paragraph (c) of this AD have been accomplished, no alternative inspections or inspection intervals shall be approved for the SSIs contained in Section 9 of Boeing 767 MPD Document D622T001-9, Revision October 2002. Alternative Methods of Compliance (e)(1) 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. (2) Alternative methods of compliance, approved previously in accordance with AD 2001-08-28, amendment 39-12205, are approved as alternative methods of compliance with paragraphs (a) and (c) of this AD. Note 4: 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 (f) 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 (g) The actions shall be done in accordance with the applicable documents listed in Table 1 of this AD, as follows: Table 1.—Service Documents Document Page numbers Revision Appendix B of Boeing 767, Maintenance Planning Data Document D622T001 Forward, Pages A-N December 2002. Subsection B of Boeing 767 Maintenance Planning Data Document D622T001-9 List of Effective Pages, Page 9.0-5 June 1997. Subsection B, Section 9, of Boeing 767, Maintenance Planning Data Document D622T001-9 List of Effective Pages, Page 9.0-6 June 2000. Subsection B, Section 9, of Boeing 767 Maintenance Planning Data Document D622T001-9 List of Effective Pages, Page 9.0-6 February 2001. Subsection B, Section 9, of Boeing 767 Maintenance Planning Data Document D622T001-9 List of Effective Pages, Page 9.0-7 October 2002. (1) The incorporation by reference of Appendix B of Boeing 767 Maintenance Planning Data Document D622T001, Revision December 2002; Subsection B, Section 9, of Boeing 767 Maintenance Planning Data Document D622T001-9, Revision June 2000; Subsection B, Section 9, of Boeing 767 Maintenance Planning Data Document D622T001-9, Revision February 2001; and Subsection B, Section 9, of Boeing 767 Maintenance Planning Data Document D622T001-9, Revision October 2002; is approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) The incorporation by reference of Subsection B of Boeing 767 Maintenance Planning Data Document D622T001-9, Revision June 1997, was approved previously by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 1, 2001 (66 FR 21077, April 27, 2001). (3) 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 (h) This amendment becomes effective on October 16, 2003. Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 4, 2003. Ali Bahrami, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 03-22990 Filed 9-10-03; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P