AD 99-18-03 Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 747 Series Airplanes

Models named: 747-100B, -200, -300, SP series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

Model 747-100B, -200, -300, and SP series airplanes, equipped with Rolls Royce RB211-524B2, C2, and D4 engines; certificated in any category, as listed in the following service bulletins: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-78A2148, dated June 1, 1995; Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78A2148, Revision 1, dated July 20, 1995; Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78-2136, dated May 11, 1995; and Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78-2156, dated October 31, 1996. Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (f) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously. To prevent inadvertent deployment of a thrust reverser during flight and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following: Repetitive Inspections and Tests (a) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD: Perform the applicable inspections and tests of the thrust reverser control and indication system on each engine, in accordance with Part III.A. through III.G. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-78A2148, dated June 1, 1995, or Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78A2148, Revision 1, dated July 20, 1995. Repeat the applicable inspections and tests thereafter at intervals not to exceed 18 months, until accomplishment of paragraph (c) of this AD. Corrective Actions (b) If any inspection or test required by paragraph (a) of this AD cannot be successfully performed as specified in the service bulletin, or if any discrepancy is detected during any inspection or test, accomplish paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD. (1) Prior to further flight, deactivate the associated thrust reverser in accordance with Section 78-1 of Boeing Document D6- 33391, ``Boeing 747-100/-200/-300/SP Dispatch Deviations Procedures Guide,'' Revision 22, dated January 30, 1998. No more than one reverser on any airplane may be deactivated under the provisions of this paragraph. Note 2: The airplane may be operated in accordance with the provisions and limitations specified in the operator's FAA-approved Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL), provided that no more than one thrust reverser on the airplane is inoperative. (2) Within 10 days after deactivation of any thrust reverser in accordance with this paragraph, the thrust reverser must be repaired in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-78A2148, dated June 1, 1995, or Boeing Service Bulletin 767-78A2148, Revision 1, dated July 20, 1995. Additionally, the inspections and tests required by paragraph (a) of this AD must be successfully accomplished as specified in the service bulletin; once this is accomplished, the thrust reverser must then be reactivated. Modification (c) Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, install an additional locking system on the thrust reversers in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78-2156, dated October 31, 1996. Prior to or concurrent with accomplishment of Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78-2156, dated October 31, 1996: Accomplish Boeing Service Bulletin 747-78-2136, dated May 11, 1995; and Rolls-Royce Service Bulletins RB.211-71- B545, Revision 2, dated August 8, 1997, RB.211-71-B551, Revision 1, dated March 20, 1998, and RB.211-78-B552, dated June 21, 1996. Accomplishment of these actions constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections and tests required by paragraph (a) of this AD. Operational Checks (d) Within 3,000 flight hours after accomplishing the modification required by paragraph (c) of this AD, or within 1,000 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Perform operational checks of the number 2 and number 3 gearbox locks and of the air motor brake, in accordance with the procedures described in Chapter 78-30-00, Section 5, of the FAA- approved Boeing 747 Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM). Corrective Actions (e) If any operational check required by paragraph (d) of this AD cannot be successfully performed as specified in the procedures described in Chapter 78-30-00, Section 5, of the AMM, or if any discrepancy is detected during any operational check, accomplish paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD. Repeat the operational checks thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight hours. (1) Prior to further flight, deactivate the associated thrust reverser in accordance with Section 78-1 of Boeing Document D6- 33391, ``Boeing 747-100/-200/-300/SP Dispatch Deviations Procedures Guide,'' Revision 22, dated January 30, 1998. No more than one reverser on any airplane may be deactivated under the provisions of this paragraph. Note 3: The airplane may be operated in accordance with the provisions and limitations specified in the operator's FAA-approved MMEL, provided that no more than one thrust reverser on the airplane is inoperative. (2) Within 10 days after deactivation of any thrust reverser in accordance with this paragraph, the thrust reverser must be repaired in accordance the AMM. Additionally, the operational checks required by paragraph (d) of this AD must be successfully accomplished as specified in the AMM; once this is accomplished, the thrust reverser must then be reactivated. Alternative Methods of Compliance (f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used if approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO. [[Page 47368]] Note 4: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Seattle ACO. Special Flight Permits (g) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. Incorporation by Reference (h) Except as provided by paragraphs (b)(1), (d), (e), (e)(1), and (e)(2) of this AD, the actions shall be done in accordance with the applicable service bulletins, which contain the specified list of effective pages: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Service bulletin referenced Revision level shown and date Page No. shown on page on page Date shown on page ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Boeing 747-78-2136, May 11, 1-161...................... Original.............. May 11, 1995. 1995. Boeing 747-78A2148, June 1, 1-50....................... Original.............. June 1, 1995. 1995. Boeing 747-78A2148, Revision 1-50....................... 1..................... July 20, 1995. 1, July 20, 1995. Boeing 747-78-2156, October 1-283...................... Original.............. October 31, 1996. 31, 1996. Rolls-Royce, RB.211-78-B552 1-33....................... Original.............. June 21, 1996. June 21, 1996. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Supplement ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1, 2....................... Original.............. June 21, 1996. Rolls-Royce, RB.211-71-B545, 1, 4....................... 2..................... August 8, 1997. Revision 2, August 8, 1997. 2, 3, 5-45................. Original.............. December 22, 1995. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Supplement ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1, 2....................... 2..................... August 8, 1997. Rolls-Royce, RB.211-71-B551, 1, 5, 85................... 1..................... March 20, 1998. Revision 1, March 20, 1998. 2-4, 6-84, 86-106.......... Original.............. June 21, 1996. Supplement ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1-5........................ 1..................... March 20, 1998. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC. (i) This amendment becomes effective on September 15, 1999. Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 19, 1999. Vi L. Lipski, Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 99-22193 Filed 8-30-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U