AD 2006-06-10 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747SR Series Airplanes

Models named: 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747SR series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to all Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, and 747SR series airplanes, certificated in any category.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Service Bulletin Reference (f) The term “service bulletin,” as used in this AD, means the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2512, Revision 1, dated August 11, 2005. Inspection for Steel Doublers (g) Prior to the accumulation of 10,000 total flight cycles or within 1,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Do a general visual inspection of the lower forward and upper aft corners of the fuselage cutout at MEDs number 3 to determine whether a small, a large, or no steel doubler is installed, and do the applicable action in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD. Do all actions in accordance with the service bulletin. (1) If a large steel doubler is installed, or if no steel doubler is installed at the lower forward corner, no further action is required by this AD for that cutout corner, except the requirements of paragraph (m) of this AD continue to apply. Note 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2512 refers to Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53-2218, Revision 5, dated March 26, 1992, as an additional source of service information for inspecting airplanes that are determined by the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD to have no steel doubler (large or small) installed at the lower forward corner of the fuselage cutout at MEDs number 3. (2) For all doubler configurations except those specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, do the actions in paragraph (h) of this AD at the applicable time in that paragraph. Inspections for Cracks, and Related Investigative and Corrective Actions (h) For the doubler configurations specified in paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, at the times specified in paragraph 1.E. “Compliance” of the service bulletin (except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD): Do the applicable inspections for cracks in the skin, bearstrap, and small steel doubler (if installed), at the upper aft corner and at the lower forward corner of the fuselage cutout at MEDs number 3, and do all applicable related investigative actions and corrective actions before further flight by doing all the actions in accordance with the service bulletin. Repeat the inspections thereafter at the intervals specified in paragraph 1.E, “Compliance” of the service bulletin. Where the service bulletin specifies to contact the manufacturer for instructions on how to repair certain conditions, do the repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (n) of this AD. (i) Where the service bulletin specifies compliance times relative to the date of issuance of the service bulletin, this AD requires compliance relative to the effective date of this AD. Terminating Action (j) Installing a large steel doubler in accordance with the service bulletin terminates the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD for the corner of the fuselage cutout at MEDs number 3 at which the large steel doubler is installed. No Reporting Required (k) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. Actions Done in Accordance With Original Issue of Service Bulletin (l) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2512, dated May 5, 2005, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions of this AD. Parts Installation (m) After the effective date of this AD, no person may install on any airplane a small steel doubler as a repair for cracks or as a modification at the lower forward corner of the fuselage cutout of MEDs number 3, in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53-2218. Note 2: Although AD 92-27-04, amendment 39-8437, has a terminating action of installing a small steel doubler in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53-2218, that action is not allowed after the effective date of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (n)(1) 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. (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with § 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. (3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (o) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2512, Revision 1, dated August 11, 2005, 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 this 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 March 9, 2006. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 06-2676 Filed 3-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD was prompted by reports of cracks in the skin and bearstrap at the upper aft corner and at the lower forward corner of the fuselage cutout at MEDs number 3. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the skin, bearstrap, and small steel doubler (if installed), which could propagate and result in rapid decompression of the airplane.