AD 2011-05-12

(a) This AD is effective April 14, 2011.

(b) None.

(c) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-55A0017, dated May 20, 2010.

(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 55: Stabilizers.

(e) This AD results from a report indicating that a Karon-lined bushing with the liner broken into five pieces was found during a scheduled inspection of the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA) components; the broken liner had worn and disbonded from the bushing. The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to detect and correct discrepancies of the HSTA attachment locations, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the horizontal stabilizer and consequent loss of controllability of the airplane.

(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) Before the accumulation of 32,000 total flight cycles, or within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Do a detailed inspection for disbonding and tearing, and a measurement for wear of the internal diameter (ID) of the Karon-lined bushings of the bulkhead support jackscrew fitting and of the jackscrew fitting of the horizontal stabilizer; replace bushings with new bushings, as applicable; do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions; and install either a known serviceable or overhauled HSTA. Do the actions in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-55A0017, dated May 20, 2010, except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions before further flight. Repeat the actions required by this paragraph thereafter at intervals not to exceed 16,000 flight cycles.

(h) If, during any inspection or measurement required by this AD, any damage is found, or the inner diameter is greater than the allowable hole diameter, and Part 1, Step 3.B.2.a.(1)(a)1)a) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-55A0017, dated May 20, 2010, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before further flight, do the repair 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. 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. Information may be e-mailed to: 9-ANM-Seattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.

(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, Seattle ACO to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis of the airplane.

(j) For more information about this AD, contact 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; email duong.tran@faa.gov.

(k) You must use Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-55A0017, dated May 20, 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 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 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 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.