Summary
We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-8F and 747-8 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of delamination damage to leading edge (LE) variable camber krueger (VCK) flaps. This proposed AD would require repetitive inspections to detect delamination damage of the lightning strike applique (LSA) on the LE VCK flaps, and corrective actions if necessary. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct delamination damage to the LE VCK flaps, which can reduce the lightning strike protection capability on the LE VCK flaps and result in an uncommanded motion of the trailing edge flap system. Such uncommanded flap motion, without shutdown of the trailing edge or leading edge flaps, may cause unexpected changes in lift, potentially resulting in asymmetric lift and loss of control of the airplane.