AD 2011-02-05 Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model 727 Airplanes

Models named: 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, 727-200F series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Inspection (g) At the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010, except as provided in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD, do detailed inspections for scribe lines of skin lap joints, skin butt joints, around external approved repairs, external features, and fairings, and at locations where external decals may have been cut, and do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions at the times specified in the service bulletin, by accomplishing all actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010, except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD. Note 1: The inspection exemptions noted in paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010, apply to this AD. Exceptions to Service Bulletin Specifications (h) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010, specifies a compliance time after “the original issue date on this service bulletin,” this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD. (i) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010, specifies to calculate the flight-cycle time for an airplane “as of the original issue date on this service bulletin,” this AD requires the airplane flight-cycle time to be calculated as of the effective date of this AD. (j) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action, accomplish applicable actions before further flight using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (m) of this AD. Report (k) At the applicable time specified in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this AD: Submit a report of positive crack findings of the inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD. Operators may use the reporting form contained in Appendixes B and C, as applicable, of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010. Send the report to Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. The report must contain, at a minimum, the inspection results, a description of any discrepancies found, the airplane serial number, and the number of flight cycles and flight hours on the airplane. Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements contained in this AD and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. (1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection. (2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD. Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement (l) A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200. 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 using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to Attn: Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6577; fax (425) 917-6590. Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov. (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 principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD. (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 the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that 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. Related Information (n) For more information about this AD, contact Berhane Alazar, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6577; fax (425) 917-6590. Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov . Material Incorporated by Reference (o) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010, 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 Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207; telephone 206-544-5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; e-mail me.boecom@boeing.com; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com . (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. (4) You may also review copies of the service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at an NARA facility, 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 5, 2011. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2011-464 Filed 1-24-11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from reports of scribe lines found at skin lap joints, butt joints, around external repairs and external features such as antennas, and at locations where external decals had been cut. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to detect and correct scribe lines, which can develop into fatigue cracks in the skin and cause rapid decompression of the airplane.