AD 2010-13-03

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 28, 2010.

(b) None.

(c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200LR and -300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0069, dated November 5, 2009.

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57: Wings.

(e) This AD results from reports of cracks emanating from the keyway of the fuel tank access door cutout of the lower wing skin between wing rib numbers 8 and 9. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to prevent loss of the lower wing skin load path, which could cause catastrophic structural failure of the wing.

(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

(g) At the applicable time specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, do a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection for cracking of the keyway of the fuel tank access door cutout on the left and right wings between wing rib numbers 8 (wing station 387) and 9 (wing station 414.5), and do all applicable corrective actions including applicable related investigative action (an HFEC inspection for cracking of machined areas), in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0069, dated November 5, 2009, except as required by paragraph (h) of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before further flight.

(1) For Group 1, Configuration 1 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0069, dated November 5, 2009: Before the accumulation of 3,500 total flight cycles, or within 500 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(2) For Group 1, Configuration 2 airplanes and Group 2 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0069, dated November 5, 2009, on which a crack was found in the cutout keyway when the cutout keyway was changed: Within 1,125 days after the effective date of this AD.

Note 1:

For Group 1, Configuration 2 airplanes and Group 2 airplanes, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0069, dated November 5, 2009, on which no crack was found in the cutout keyway when the cutout keyway was changed: No further action is required by this AD.

(h) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by this AD, and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0069, dated November 5, 2009, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair the crack using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD.

(i)(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: Duong Tran, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 917-6452; fax (425) 917-6590. Or, e-mail information 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.

(j) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-57A0069, dated November 5, 2009, 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, 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 NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.