AD 2008-13-22 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F Series Airplanes

Models named: 747-400, 747-400D, 747-400F series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-400, 747-400D, and 747-400F series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368, Revision 1, dated July 24, 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 (f) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, replace at least one of the three EIUs, part number (P/N) 622-8589-104, located on the E2-6 shelf of the main equipment center with a new or modified EIU, P/N 622-8589-105, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368, Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006. Note 1: Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368, Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006, refers to Rockwell Collins Service Bulletin EIU-7000-31-502, dated March 21, 2006, as an additional source of service information for modifying an EIU by adding auto restart circuitry, which converts EIU P/N 622-8589-104 to P/N 622-8589-105. Credit for Actions Done According to Previous Service Bulletin (g) Actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368, dated November 22, 2005 (Revision 1 of the service bulletin specifies that the original issue is dated December 1, 2005), are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD. Terminating Action for AD 2004-10-05, Amendment 39-13635 (h) Replacing an EIU with a new or modified EIU in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the EIU replacement of paragraph (d)(1) of AD 2004-10-05, provided that the other two EIUs are replaced with EIUs having P/N 622-8589-104 or P/N 622-8589-105. All other actions required by paragraph (d)(1) of AD 2004-10-05 must be complied with. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (i)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with 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. We will only grant a compliance time extension for this AD if the requestor can show that it is unable to accomplish the minimum requirements of the AD (i.e., one modified EIU for each airplane) by the compliance time for reasons beyond its control, such as the inability to obtain enough parts to comply with the minimum requirements of the AD by the compliance time. Therefore, requests to extend the compliance time for this AD must include the following information: (i) How many airplanes are included in the request, (ii) An inventory of how many modified EIUs the requestor currently has on hand, (iii) A forecast inventory showing that the requestor will not have enough modified EIUs available to accomplish the minimum AD requirements (i.e., one modified EIU for each airplane) by the AD compliance time, based upon the current inventory on hand and delivery rates from the parts supplier, (iv) Documentation of supplier delivery commitments for modified EIUs or conversion kits, as applicable, including firm delivery commitment dates, that will provide the requestor with an adequate number of parts to be able to accomplish the minimum AD requirements on its affected airplanes, and (v) Documentation of maintenance facility schedule availability for accomplishing the AD requirements on all airplanes included in the request. We will not approve AMOC requests that propose replacing or modifying all three EIUs in a time frame longer than 24 months instead of replacing or modifying one EIU within 24 months. 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 (j) You must use Boeing Service Bulletin 747-31-2368, Revision 1, dated July 24, 2006, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (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 June 8, 2008. Michael Kaszycki, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-14188 Filed 7-1-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from two instances where all six integrated display units (IDUs) on the flight deck panels went blank in flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of the IDUs due to failure of all three electronic flight instrument system/engine indicating and crew alerting system (EFIS/EICAS) interface units (EIUs), which could result in the inability of the flightcrew to maintain safe flight and landing of the airplane.