AD 2008-14-11 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER Series Airplanes Approved for Extended-Range Twin-Engine Operational Performance Standards (ETOPS)

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; approved for extended-range twin-engine operational performance standards (ETOPS).

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. Inspection To Determine Part Number of the Filter/Regulator (f) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect the filter/regulator for the fire suppression system in the lower cargo compartment to determine whether a Kidde Aerospace filter/regulator having a part number identified in Table 1 of this AD is installed. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number of the filter/regulator can be conclusively determined from that review. Table 1.—Applicable Kidde Aerospace Filters/Regulators Model Filter/Regulator Part No. (1) 777-200 and -200LR series airplanes 473494-1, -2, or -3; or 473995-1, -2, or -3. (2) 777-300 and 777-300ER series airplanes 473857-1, -2, or -3. Revision of the Operations Specifications (g) Except as provided in paragraph (i) of this AD, if a Kidde Aerospace cargo compartment fire suppression filter/regulator identified in Table 1 of this AD is found installed during the inspection or records check required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Before further flight after doing the inspection or records check required by paragraph (f) of this AD, revise the “Maximum Diversion Time In Minutes,” specified in the FAA-approved Operations Specifications, Document D086, in accordance with the applicable instructions contained in Boeing Model 777 ETOPS Configuration, Maintenance, and Procedures, Document D044W054, Revision K, dated June 12, 2008. Optional Replacement of the Filter/Regulator for Certain Airplanes (h) For Model 777-200, -300, and -300ER series airplanes: Once the cargo compartment fire suppression filter/regulator has been replaced with a new or serviceable filter/regulator in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-26-0044, dated April 24, 2008; or Revision 1, dated June 19, 2008; the “Maximum Diversion Time In Minutes,” specified in the FAA-approved Operations Specifications, Document D086, may be revised in accordance with the applicable instructions contained in Boeing Model 777 ETOPS Configuration, Maintenance, and Procedures, Document D044W054, Revision K, dated June 12, 2008, to restore the airplane's full ETOPS capability. Exception to Operations Specifications Revision (i) The revision to the Operations Specifications specified in paragraph (g) of this AD is not required if, before further flight after a Kidde Aerospace cargo compartment fire suppression filter/regulator identified in Table 1 of this AD is found installed on any airplane, the filter/regulator replacement described in paragraph (h) of this AD is accomplished. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (j)(1) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, ATTN: Robert Hettman, Cabin Safety and Environmental Systems Branch, ANM-150S, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6457; 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 (k) You must use Boeing Model 777 ETOPS Configuration, Maintenance, and Procedures, Document D044W054, Revision K, dated June 12, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. If you accomplish the optional actions specified by this AD, you must use Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-26-0044, dated April 24, 2008; or Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-26-0044, Revision 1, dated June 19, 2008; as applicable; to do those actions, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (The revision date of Boeing Model 777 ETOPS Configuration, Maintenance, and Procedures, Document D044W054, Revision K, is located on the last page of the document; no other page of this document contains the revision date.) (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 25, 2008. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-15371 Filed 7-7-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from a report that the filter/regulator installed in the cargo fire suppression system did not meter the Halon for the certified duration during ETOPS flight tests. We are issuing this AD to prevent ETOPS operation with insufficient cargo fire suppression capability, which could result in an uncontained fire in the cargo compartment.