AD 2006-10-02 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 Airplanes

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

This AD applies to all Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F, 747SR, and 747SP 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. Repetitive Detailed Inspection/Lubrication/Freeplay Measurement and Corrective Action (f) Do all the applicable actions, including any applicable corrective action, specified in Work Packages 1, 2, and 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2396, Revision 1, dated August 4, 2005. Do the actions at the applicable compliance time specified in Table 1 of paragraph 1.E. “Compliance” of the service bulletin; except, where the service bulletin specifies a compliance time relative to the original issue date of the service bulletin, this AD requires compliance relative to the effective date of this AD. Where the service bulletin specifies a compliance time relative to the delivery date of the airplane, this AD requires compliance relative to the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness. Do any applicable corrective action before further flight. Repeat the actions at the applicable repeat interval specified in Table 1 of paragraph 1.E “Compliance” of the service bulletin. Note 1: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2396, Revision 1, dated August 4, 2005, refers to the airplane maintenance manuals (AMMs) in Table 1 of this AD as additional sources of service information for accomplishing the detailed visual inspections, lubrications, freeplay measurements, and corrective actions. Table 1.—Additional Sources of Service Information Boeing AMM Subject 747-100/200/300 AMM 12-21-19 747-100/200/300 AMM 27-41-06 747-400 AMM 12-21-19 747-400 AMM 27-41-06 Previously Accomplished Actions (g) Initial inspections accomplished before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2396, dated September 4, 2003, are considered acceptable for compliance with the corresponding action specified in this AD. For airplanes on which the drive mechanism of the horizontal stabilizer was replaced before the effective date of this AD with a drive mechanism that was not new or overhauled, and the detailed and freeplay inspections were not accomplished in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2396, dated September 4, 2003: Within 4,000 flight hours or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever is first, accomplish the inspections, and perform any applicable corrective action before further flight, in accordance with Work Package 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2396, Revision 1, dated August 4, 2005. Parts Installation (h) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install on any airplane a horizontal stabilizer trim actuator unless it is new or has been overhauled in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2396, Revision 1, dated August 4, 2005 (which refers to the applicable overhaul manual); or has been inspected, lubricated, and measured in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Airplane Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 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 (j) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-27A2396, Revision 1, dated August 4, 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 document 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 April 28, 2006. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 06-4230 Filed 5-5-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a report of extensive corrosion of a ballscrew in the drive mechanism of the horizontal stabilizer on a similar airplane model. We are issuing this AD to prevent an undetected failure of the primary load path for the ballscrew in the horizontal stabilizer and subsequent wear and failure of the secondary load path, which could lead to loss of control of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent loss of control of the airplane.