AD 2005-06-09 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, and 747SR Series Airplanes Equipped With General Electric (GE) CF6-45 or -50 Series Engines

Models named: 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, and 747SR series airplanes; certificated in any category; equipped with General Electric CF6-45 or -50 series engines.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Modification (f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Modify the side cowl assemblies on the engines by replacing existing wear plates with new extended wear plates and installing new stop fittings, by doing all actions according to the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71-2300, Revision 1, dated October 30, 2003. Any applicable corrective actions must be done before further flight. On Condition: Removal of Bulb Seals and Other Specified Actions (g) If bulb seals were installed on the trailing edge of the fan thrust reverser in accordance with Boeing Service Letter 747-SL-71-045: Concurrently with or before further flight after accomplishing paragraph (f) of this AD, remove the bulb seals, plug the open holes in the trailing edge of the fan thrust reverser, and adjust the cowl latches as applicable, in accordance with Boeing Service Letter 747-SL-71-045-C, dated April 10, 2003. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (h) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 747-71-2300, Revision 1, dated October 30, 2003; and Boeing Service Letter 747-SL-71-045-C, including Attachment, dated April 10, 2003; as applicable, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of those documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For copies of the service information, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. For information on the availability of this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. You may view the AD docket at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC. Issued in Renton, Washington, on March 8, 2005. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 05-5298 Filed 3-18-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD was prompted by reports of a gap at the interface of the lower portion of the side cowl and the aft flange of the thrust reverser. We are issuing this AD to prevent an excessive quantity of air from entering the fire zone that surrounds the engine, which, in the event of an engine fire, could result in an inability to control or extinguish the fire.