AD 2005-22-07 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, and -300 Series Airplanes

Models named: 757-200, -200PF, -300 series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-24A0099 and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-24A0100, both dated March 25, 2004.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Inspection of Ground Connections (f) Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, perform a general visual inspection for damage of the ground brackets, ground wires, and terminal lugs of the APU battery and APU start TRU, and do any corrective and related investigative actions; by doing all the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-24A0099 (for Model 757-200 and -200PF series airplanes) or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-24A0100 (for Model 757-300 series airplanes), both dated March 25, 2004, as applicable. Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is “A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual access to all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normal available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight or drop-light and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.” Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (g)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. Material Incorporated by Reference (h) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-24A0099, dated March 25, 2004; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-24A0100, dated March 25, 2004; as applicable; to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov ; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 18, 2005. Kevin M. Mullin, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 05-21311 Filed 10-25-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD was prompted by reports indicating that during inspections on two airplanes, the ground brackets for the auxiliary power unit (APU) battery were found damaged. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct a damaged electrical bonding surface of the APU battery and APU start transformer rectifier unit (TRU) ground connections, which could cause overheating of the ground connections and lead to possible consequent ignition of the adjacent insulating blankets.