AD 2011-06-12 Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Model MD-90-30 Airplanes

Models named: MD-90-30. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model MD-90-30 airplanes, certificated in any category.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. Inspections (g) Before the accumulation of 20,000 total flight cycles, or within 3,778 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, do eddy current inspections to detect cracking of the left and right upper center skin panels of the horizontal stabilizer, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD90-55A015, dated July 16, 2010. (1) If no crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, repeat the applicable inspections thereafter at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD90-55A015, dated July 16, 2010. (2) If any crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight, replace the skin panel with a serviceable skin panel, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD90-55A015, dated July 16, 2010. Within 20,000 flight cycles after the replacement, do eddy current inspections as required by paragraph (g) of this AD. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (h)(1) The Manager, Los Angeles 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. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/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 the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and 14 CFR 25.571, Amendment 45, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD. Related Information (i) For more information about this AD, contact Roger Durbin, Aerospace Engineer, Los Angeles ACO, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5233; fax: 562-627-5210; e-mail: Roger.Durbin@faa.gov. Material Incorporated by Reference (j) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD90-55A015, dated July 16, 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 MD90-55A015, dated July 16, 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, 3855 Lakewood Boulevard, MC D800-0019, Long Beach, California 90846-0001; phone: 206-544-5000, extension 2; fax: 206-766-5683; e-mail: dse.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 March 9, 2011. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2011-6249 Filed 3-21-11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD was prompted by a report of a crack found in the upper center skin panel at the aft inboard corner of a right horizontal stabilizer. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the upper center skin panel of the horizontal stabilizer. Uncorrected cracks might ultimately lead to the loss of overall structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer.