AD 81-07-04

81-07-04 LOCKHEED-CALIFORNIA: Amendment 39-4073. Applies to Model L-1011 series airplanes certificated in all categories. Compliance required as indicated. To prevent possible failures of the main landing gear wheels, accomplish the following:

Inspect Goodrich main landing gear wheel assemblies for cracks, pits and corrosion in accordance with Lockheed Service Bulletin 093-32-184 dated February 5, 1981, and Goodrich Service Bulletin 393, Revision 1, dated February 20, 1981, in accordance with the following schedule:

A. All in service Goodrich wheel assembly part numbers 3-1311-3 and 3-1365 (wheel outboard half P/N 10-1323 below change G, and wheel inboard half P/N 10-1324 and 10-1324-1 below change G) must be inspected at the next tire change on a main landing gear wheel/tire assembly after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter reinspected at each subsequent tire change.

B. All in service Goodrich wheel assembly part numbers 3-1365 (wheel outboard half P/N10-1323 change G and up, and wheel inboard half P/N 10-1324-1 change G and up), 3-1365- 1, 3-1375, and 3-1375-1 must be inspected at the fourth tire change on a main landing gear wheel assembly after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter reinspected at each subsequent fourth tire change.

C. Wheel halves found to have confirmed defects shall be replaced with an appropriate wheel-half inspected and found to be satisfactory in accordance with this AD or with a new or unused wheel half; except that if an inspected or new or unused wheel-half is not available, an uninspected wheel/tire assembly may be installed and the airplane operated to the next airport where the inspections can be accomplished, but in no event shall the uninspected wheel exceed ten landings. NOTE: Wheel half assemblies specified in paragraph B of this AD are considered new or unused until the fourth tire change.

D. If a tire change is required at a station where the inspections required by this AD cannot be accomplished, an uninspected wheel/tire assembly may be installed and the airplane may be operated to the next airport where the inspections can be accomplished, but in no event shall the uninspected wheel exceed ten landings.

E. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base in order to comply with the inspection requirements of this AD.

F. Alternative means of compliance, or other actions which provide an equivalent level of safety, may be used when approved by the Chief, Los Angeles Area Aircraft Certification Office, FAA Northwest Region. The manufacturer's specification and procedures identified and described in this directive and incorporated herein are made a part hereof pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1).

All persons affected by this directive who have not already received these documents may obtain copies upon request to Lockheed-California Company, P.O. Box 551, Burbank, California 91520, Attention: Commercial Support Contracts. These documents may also be examined at FAA Northwest Region, 9010 East Marginal Way South, Seattle, Washington 98108, or 15000 Aviation Boulevard, Hawthorne, California 90261.

This amendment becomes effective April 15, 1981.