AD 2008-11-13 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER Series Airplanes

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

This AD applies to Boeing Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes; certificated in any category; with an original standard airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued before December 5, 2007. Note 1: Airplanes with an original standard airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or after December 5, 2007, must be already in compliance with the airworthiness limitations (AWLs) specified in this AD because those limitations were applicable as part of the airworthiness certification of those airplanes. Note 2: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) according to paragraph (k) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. Service Information (f) The term “Revision February 2008 of the MPD,” as used in this AD, means Boeing Temporary Revision (TR) 09-014, dated December 2007. Boeing TR 09-014 is published as Section 9 of the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning Document (MPD) D622W001-9, Revision February 2008. Revision of Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) Section (g) Before December 16, 2008, revise the AWLs section of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) by incorporating the information in the subsections specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD; except that the initial inspections specified in paragraph (h) of this AD must be done at the compliance times specified in paragraph (h) of this AD. (1) Subsection D, “AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS—SYSTEMS,” of Revision February 2008 of the MPD. (2) Subsection E, “PAGE FORMAT: FUEL SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,” AWLs No. 28-AWL-01 through No. 28-AWL-20 inclusive, of Revision February 2008 of the MPD. As an optional action, AWLs No. 28-AWL-21 through No. 28-AWL-26 inclusive, as identified in Subsection E of Revision February 2008 of the MPD, also may be incorporated into the AWLs section of the ICA. Initial Inspections and Repair (h) Do the inspections required by paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD at the compliance times specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2), in accordance with the applicable AWLs described in Subsection E of Revision February 2008 of the MPD. If any discrepancy is found during these inspections, repair the discrepancy before further flight in accordance with Revision February 2008 of the MPD. (1) At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) and (h)(1)(ii) of this AD, do a detailed inspection of external wires over the center fuel tank for damaged clamps, wire chafing, and wire bundles in contact with the surface of the center fuel tank, and repair any discrepancy, in accordance with AWL No. 28-AWL-01. Accomplishing AWL No. 28-AWL-01 as part of an FAA-approved maintenance program before the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (h)(1)(i) or (h)(1)(ii) of this AD constitutes compliance with the requirements of this paragraph. (i) Before the accumulation of 16,000 total flight cycles, or within 3,000 days since the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs first. (ii) Within 72 months after the effective date of this AD. Note 3: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: “An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning and elaborate procedures may be required.” (2) At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and (h)(2)(ii) of this AD, do a special detailed inspection (resistance test) of the lightning shield-to-ground termination of the out tank wiring of the fuel quantity indicating system (FQIS) and, as applicable, repair (restore) the bond to ensure the shield-to-ground termination meets specified resistance values, in accordance with AWL No. 28-AWL-03. Accomplishing AWL No. 28-AWL-03 as part of an FAA-approved maintenance program before the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (h)(2)(i) or (h)(2)(ii) of this AD constitutes compliance with the requirements of this paragraph. (i) Before the accumulation of 16,000 total flight cycles, or within 3,000 days since the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certificate or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness, whichever occurs first. (ii) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD. Note 4: For the purposes of this AD, a special detailed inspection is: “An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. The examination is likely to make extensive use of specialized inspection techniques and/or equipment. Intricate cleaning and substantial access or disassembly procedure may be required.” No Alternative Inspections, Inspection Intervals, or Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs) (i) After accomplishing the actions specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, no alternative inspections, inspection intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are part of a later revision of Revision February 2008 of the MPD that is approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO); or unless the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Credit for Actions Done According to Previous Revisions of the MPD (j) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Section 9 of the Boeing 777 MPD Document, D622W001-9, Revision October 2007; or Revision December 2007; are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (k)(1) The Manager, Seattle ACO, FAA, ATTN: Margaret Langsted, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion Branch, ANM-140S, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6500; fax (425) 917-6590; has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (2) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. Material Incorporated by Reference (l) You must use Boeing Temporary Revision (TR) 09-014, dated December 2007, to the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning Document (MPD) Document, D622W001-9, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. Boeing TR 09-014 is published as Section 9 of the Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning Document (MPD) Document, D622W001-9, Revision February 2008. (The List of Effective Pages for Section 9 of Boeing 777 Maintenance Planning Document (MPD) Document, D622W001-9, Revision February 2008, contains numerous errors. However, the revision/date identified on the individual pages of the document are correct.) (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. (3) You may review copies of the service information incorporated by reference at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 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 May 14, 2008. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-11467 Filed 5-28-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank systems. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in fuel tank explosions and consequent loss of the airplane.