AD 2007-02-23 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER Series Airplanes

Models named: 777-200, -300, -300ER series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Boeing Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0073, dated March 30, 2006.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Replacement of Gimbal Plates (f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the gimbal plates of the left and right outboard trailing edge flaps with improved gimbal plates, and do the other specified actions before further flight after the replacement, by accomplishing all the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0073, dated March 30, 2006. Note 1: Pay particular attention that grease or lubricant is not applied to the gimbal plate bolts, bushings, washers, or nuts. Yielding or failure of the bolts could occur due to overtorquing a lubricated attachment that was intended to be installed without lubricant. Parts Installation (g) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a gimbal plate, part numbers 113W1112-3, 113W1112-4, 113W1212-3, and 113W1212-4, on any airplane. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (h)(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 (i) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-27A0073, dated March 30, 2006, 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 January 17, 2007. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E7-1081 Filed 1-25-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a broken pivot link found on the inboard support for the outboard trailing edge flap. We are issuing this AD to prevent disconnection of the drive arm from its drive gimbal, due to a broken pivot link on an outboard flap support, which could result in unexpected roll of the airplane and loss of control of the airplane.