AD 2012-12-08

This AD is effective July 30, 2012.

None.

This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200 and -S300 series airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-32-0083, Revision 1, dated February 17, 2011.

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32: Main landing gear.

This AD was prompted by reports of cracked retract actuator fuse pins that can fail earlier than the previously determined safe life limit of the pins. A fractured retract actuator fuse pin can cause the main landing gear (MLG) to extend without restriction and attempt to lock into position under high dynamic loads. We are issuing this AD to prevent structural damage to the side and drag brace lock assemblies, which could result in landing gear collapse during touchdown, rollout, or taxi.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD: Inspect the part number of the fuse pins of the left and right MLG retract actuators, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-32-0083, Revision 1, dated February 17, 2011. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the part number of the installed actuator fuse pin can be conclusively determined from that review.

(1) If any retract actuator fuse pin having part number 112W1769-3 is found installed, no further action is required by this paragraph for that fuse pin.

(2) If any retract actuator fuse pin having part number 112W1769-1 is found installed and the pin has accumulated more than 10,000 total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the fuse pin with a new part number 112W1769-3 fuse pin, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-32-0083, Revision 1, dated February 17, 2011.

(3) If any retract actuator fuse pin having part number 112W1769-1 is found installed and the pin has accumulated 8,000 or more total flight cycles, but fewer than or equal to 10,000 total flight cycles, as of the effective date of this AD: Before the accumulation of 10,000 total flight cycles on the pin, or within 18 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, replace the fuse pin with a new part number 112W1769-3 fuse pin, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-32-0083, Revision 1, dated February 17, 2011.

(4) If any retract actuator fuse pin having part number 112W1769-1 is found installed and the pin has accumulated fewer than 8,000 total flight cycles as of the effective date of this AD: Before the accumulation of 8,000 total flight cycles on the pin, or within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, replace the fuse pin with a new part number 112W1769-3 fuse pin, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-32-0083, Revision 1, dated February 17, 2011.

As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a retract actuator fuse pin having part number 112W1769-1 on any airplane.

This paragraph provides credit for actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-32-0083, dated February 5, 2009.

(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 emailed 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 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.

For more information about this AD, contact James Sutherland, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120S, FAA, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; phone: 425-917-6533; fax: 425-917-6590; email: james.sutherland@faa.gov.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) You must use the following service information to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(i) Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 777-32-0083, Revision 1, dated February 17, 2011.

(3) 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; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com.

(4) 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.

(5) 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.