AD 88-15-04

88-15-04 BOEING: Amendment 39-5979. Applies to Model 767 series airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-32A0071, dated June 2, 1988, certificated in any category. Compliance required as indicated, unless previously accomplished.

To preclude failure of the main landing gear to fully extend and lock due to faulty actuator piston seals or obsolete configuration rod seals, accomplish the following:

A. Within the next 300 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, inspect the main landing gear drag brace actuators in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-32A0071, dated June 2, 1988.

B. If any actuator has accumulated less than 200 hours total time-in-service at the time of inspection, repeat the inspection required by paragraph A., above, at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service until the actuator has accumulated more than 200 hours time- in-service, at which time the inspections may be terminated.

C. If anyactuator is found to have swollen seals or obsolete configuration seals, before further flight, replace or modify the actuator, in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 767-32A0071, dated June 2, 1988.

D. Accomplishing the piston seal replacement, and the rod seal inspection and replacement, if necessary, in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 767-32A0071, dated June 2, 1988, constitutes terminating action for the initial and repetitive inspections required by paragraphs A. and B., above.

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

NOTE: The request should be forwarded through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI), who may add any comments and then send it to the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office.

F. 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 the inspections required by this AD.

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

This amendment, 39-5979, becomes effective August 3, 1988.