AD 87-04-15

87-04-15 BOEING: Amendment 39-5544. Applies to Model 727 series airplanes listed in Boeing Service Bulletin 727-57-103, Revision 3, dated June 19, 1981, certificated in any category.

Compliance is required within the next 6,000 landings after March 31, 1983; or prior to accumulating 30,000 landings; or 30,000 landings after repair or modification in accordance with Service Bulletin 727-57-103; whichever occurs latest, unless already accomplished.

To ensure the structural integrity of the wing rear spar terminal fitting, accomplish the following:

A. Inspect the wing rear spar terminal fittings for cracks, using x-ray, eddy current and close visual techniques, in accordance with the procedures listed in Table I of the Addendum, Flight Safety Section, Boeing Service Bulletin 727-57-103, Revision 3, dated June 19, 1981, or later FAA-approved revisions. Repeat the inspection at intervals not to exceed 20,000 landings.

NOTE: Terminal fittings listed in the above referenced service bulletin as not requiring modification need not be inspected in accordance with the requirements of this AD.

B. Cracked structure must be repaired before further flight in accordance with Service Bulletin 727-57-103, original issue, or later FAA-approved revisions.

C. For the purpose of this AD, and when approved by an FAA maintenance inspector, the number of landings may be computed by dividing each airplane's time in service by the operator's fleet average time from takeoff to landing for the aircraft type.

D. An alternate means of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time, which provides an acceptable level of safety and which has the concurrence of an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, may be used when approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Northwest Mountain Region.

E. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base for the accomplishment of inspections and/or modifications required by this AD.

All persons affected by this directive who have not already received the appropriate service documents from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to the Boeing Commercial Airplane Company, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. These documents may be examined at the FAA, Northwest Mountain Region, 17900 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, Washington, or the Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 9010 East Marginal Way South, Seattle, Washington.

This supersedes AD 83-04-01, Amendment 39-4570. This amendment, 39-5544, becomes effective March 13, 1987.