AD 2007-01-10 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. Restatement of Requirements of AD 2004-16-05 Inspection To Determine Part Number (f) Within 36 months after September 14, 2004 (the effective date of AD 2004-16-05), perform a one-time inspection to determine the part number (P/N) of the outer cylinder of the wing landing gear on both sides of the airplane, per the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-32-2472, dated November 30, 2000; or Revision 1, dated February 23, 2006. Instead of inspecting the outer cylinder of the wing landing gear, a review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable if the detailed part number of the outer cylinder of the wing landing gear (not just a higher-level assembly) can be positively determined from that review. (1) If no outer cylinder having P/N 65B01212-( ) (where “( )” is any dash number of that part number), 65B01430-3, or 65B01430-4 is found: No further action is required by this paragraph. (2) If any outer cylinder having P/N 65B01212-( ) (where “( )” is any dash number of that part number), 65B01430-3, or 65B01430-4 is found: Accomplish paragraph (g) of this AD. Replacement of Outer Cylinder (g) For any outer cylinder identified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD: Within 36 months after September 14, 2004, replace the outer cylinder on the wing landing gear with a new, improved part or a part that has been inspected and reworked per the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-32-2472, dated November 30, 2000; or Revision 1, dated February 23, 2006, except as provided by paragraph (k) of this AD. The rework procedures described in the service bulletin, if accomplished, include performing a one-time nital etch inspection of the upper inner surface of the outer cylinder for chrome plating; removing any chrome plating that is present; performing a one-time magnetic particle inspection for cracking of the outer cylinder; performing a nital etch inspection for heat damage of the outer cylinder; reworking the outer cylinder, as applicable; and marking the outer cylinder to indicate that the service bulletin has been accomplished. Removal of the Load Evening System (h) For airplanes identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-32-2131, Revision 2, dated March 15, 1974: Before performing the requirements of paragraph (g) or (j) of this AD, as applicable, remove the load evening system installed on the wing and body landing gears, per the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. New Requirements of This AD Inspection To Determine Outer Cylinder Part Number on Certain Airplanes (i) For Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-100B SUD, and 747SR series airplanes: Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do a one-time inspection to determine the part number of the outer cylinder of the wing landing gear on both sides of the airplane, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-32-2472, Revision 1, dated February 23, 2006. Instead of inspecting the outer cylinder of the wing landing gear, a review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable if the detailed part number of the outer cylinder of the wing landing gear (not just a higher-level assembly) can be positively determined from that review. (1) If no outer cylinder having P/N 65B01382-( ) is found: No further action is required by this paragraph. (2) If any outer cylinder having P/N 65B01382-( ) is found: Accomplish paragraph (j) of this AD. Replacement of a Certain Outer Cylinder (j) For any outer cylinder identified in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD: Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the outer cylinder on the wing landing gear with a new, improved part or with a part that has been reworked in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-32-2472, Revision 1, dated February 23, 2006, as applicable; except as provided by paragraph (k) of this AD. The rework, if applicable, must be done by accomplishing all of the related investigative actions and applicable corrective actions in paragraph 3.B.3. of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. If applicable, do the actions specified in paragraph (h) of this AD before accomplishing the actions specified in this paragraph. Exception to Revision 1 of the Service Bulletin (k) Where Boeing Service Bulletin 747-32-2472, Revision 1, dated February 23, 2006, specifies that the related investigative and corrective actions may be accomplished using an operator's “equivalent procedure:” The related investigative and corrective actions must be accomplished in accordance with the chapter(s) of the applicable Boeing 747 Standard Overhaul Practices Manual (SOPM) or Overhaul Manual (OHM) specified in the service bulletin. Parts Installation (l) As of September 14, 2004, no person may install, on any airplane, an outer cylinder of the wing landing gear if the outer cylinder has P/N 65B01212-( ), 65B01430-3, or 65B01430-4, unless the outer cylinder has been inspected, reworked, and marked to indicate that Boeing Service Bulletin 747-32-2472, dated November 30, 2000; or Revision 1, dated February 23, 2006; has been accomplished. As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an outer cylinder, P/N 65B01382-( ), of the wing landing gear on any airplane, unless the outer cylinder has been inspected, reworked, and marked to indicate that Boeing Service Bulletin 747-32-2472, Revision 1, dated February 23, 2006, has been accomplished. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (m)(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. (4) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2004-16-05 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (n) You must use the service information listed in Table 1 of this AD, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. Table 1.—Material Incorporated by Reference Service Bulletin Revision level Date Boeing Service Bulletin 747-32-2131 2 March 15, 1974. Boeing Service Bulletin 747-32-2472 Original November 30, 2000. Boeing Service Bulletin 747-32-2472 1 February 23, 2006. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-32-2472, Revision 1, dated February 23, 2006, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) On September 14, 2004 (69 FR 48359, August 10, 2004), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-32-2472, dated November 30, 2000; and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-32-2131, Revision 2, dated March 15, 1974. (3) 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 December 26, 2006. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-1077 Filed 1-25-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from identification of an additional unsafe outer cylinder of the wing landing gear. We are issuing this AD to prevent fracture of the outer cylinder of the wing landing gear, which could result in collapse of the wing landing gear.