AD 92-12-03

92-12-03 BOEING: Amendment 39-8263. Docket No. 91-NM-70-AD. Supersedes AD 90-06-16, Amendment 39-6545.

Applicability: Model 727 airplanes, certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished previously.

To prevent cracking in the fuselage aft lower lobe frames between body stations (BS) 950 and BS 1166, accomplish the following:

(a) Conduct a detailed visual inspection of the fuselage frames in accordance with Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0195, dated May 4, 1989; or Revision 1, dated September 19, 1991; prior to the time specified in subparagraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this AD, whichever occurs first.

(1) Prior to the time specified in subparagraph (a)(1)(i) or (a)(1)(ii) of this AD, whichever occurs later:

(i) Within the next 3,000 flight cycles or 15 months after April 24, 1990 (the effective date of AD 90-06-16, Amendment 39-6545), whichever occurs first; or

(ii) Prior to the accumulation of 40,000 flight cycles.

(2) Prior to the time specified in subparagraph (a)(2)(i) or (a)(2)(ii) of this AD, whichever occurs later:

(i) Within the next 3,000 flight cycles or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first; or

(ii) Prior to the accumulation of 28,000 flight cycles.

(b) Repeat the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 4,000 flight cycles or 36 months, whichever occurs first.

(c) If any cracks are detected, repair prior to further flight, in accordance with Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0195, dated May 4, 1989; or Revision 1, dated September 19, 1991. Skin repairs must be accomplished in accordance with Section 53-30-3 of the Boeing 727 Structural Repair Manual.

(d) Accomplishment of repairs in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0195, dated May 4, 1989; or Revision 1, dated September 19, 1991; constitutes terminating action for the inspections required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this AD for the repaired areas only.

(e) Accomplish the preventive modification in accordance with Part I, Paragraph B., of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0195, Revision 1, dated September 19, 1991, prior to the time specified in subparagraph (e)(1) or (e)(2) of this AD, whichever occurs later:

(1) Within the next 7,500 flight cycles or 45 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first; or

(2) Prior to the accumulation of 47,500 flight cycles.

(f) Accomplishment of the preventive modification required by paragraph (e) of this AD constitutes terminating action for the inspections required by this AD for the modified area only.

(g) An alternative method 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 (ACO), FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington. The request shall be forwarded through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may concur or comment and then send it to the Manager, Seattle ACO.

(h) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(i) The inspections, repairs, and modifications shall be done in accordance with Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0195, dated May 4, 1989; or Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0195, Revision 1, dated September 19, 1991. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies may be obtained from Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 1100 L Street NW., Room 8401, Washington, DC.

(j) This amendment becomes effective on July 23, 1992.