AD 89-16-03

89-16-03 BOEING: Amendment 39-6277. Applicability: Models 727-100C and 727C (cargo) series airplanes, as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0177, Revision 1, dated August 27, 1987, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless previously accomplished.

To prevent in-flight loss of the main cargo door, accomplish the following:

A. Prior to the accumulation of 25,000 flight cycles or within the next 3,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, conduct a close visual or an eddy current inspection of the eight main cargo door latch support fittings, in accordance with Figure 1 of the Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0177, Revision 1, dated August 27, 1987.

B. If a cracked latch support fitting is found, prior to further flight, replace the fitting with a fitting made of 7075-T73 material, in accordance with Figure 2 or 3 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0177, Revision 1, dated August 27, 1987.

C. Repeat the inspection required in paragraph A., above, at intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight cycles.

D. Replacement of a latch support fitting with the 7075-T73 fitting specified in Figure 2 or 3 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0177, Revision 1, dated August 27, 1987, constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections required for that fitting.

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 will either concur or comment 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 in order to comply with the requirements ofthis 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 Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124. These documents may be examined at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 (39-6277, AD 89-16-03) becomes effective on August 31, 1989.