Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-14111 · Boeing Model 727-200 Series Airplanes Equipped With a No. 3 Cargo Door
Boeing Model 727-200 Series Airplanes Equipped With a No. 3 Cargo Door
This AD applies to Boeing Model 727-200 series airplanes, equipped with a No. 3 cargo door, as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-52-0149, dated October 16, 2003; certificated in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 727-200 series airplanes equipped with a No. 3 cargo door. This AD requires repetitive detailed and high frequency eddy current inspections for cracking of the forward, lower corner frame and forward end of the lower beam of the No. 3 cargo door, and corrective actions if necessary. The AD provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This AD is prompted by reports of cracking at the forward, lower corner frame and lower beam of the No. 3 cargo door. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the forward, lower corner frame and forward end of the lower beam of the No. 3 cargo door, which could result in failure of the affected door stops, loss of the cargo door, and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Do detailed and HFEC inspections for cracking of the forward, lower corner frame and forward end of the lower beam of the No. 3 cargo door by accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-52-0149, dated October 16, 2003. Do the inspections at the times specified in the applicable table in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of the service bulletin, except as required by paragraph (g) of this AD. Repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 4,500 flight cycles. Doing the applicable actions in paragraph (h) or (j) of this AD terminates the repetitive inspections.
(g) Where the service bulletin specified in paragraph (f) of this AD provides a threshold relative to the release date of the service bulletin, this AD requires compliance within the applicable threshold following the effective date of this AD, if the “total airplane flight cycles” or “total replaced door flight cycles” threshold has been exceeded.
For airplanes on which cracking is found during any inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Before further flight, do all of the applicable corrective actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-52-0149, dated October 16, 2003. Repairing any affected area terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD.
(i) Any replacement No. 3 cargo door installed on any airplane after the effective date of this AD must be inspected or modified in accordance with either paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD, as applicable.
(1) If the number of total flight cycles on the door can be positively determined: Do the actions required by paragraphs (f) and (h) of this AD, as applicable, or paragraph (j) of this AD. Do the actions at the times specified in Table 2 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-52-0149, dated October 16, 2003.
(2) If the number of total flight cycles on the door cannot be positively determined: Do the actions required by paragraphs (f) and (h) of this AD, as applicable, or paragraph (j) of this AD, before installing the door.
Concurrently with doing the inspection required by paragraph (f) of this AD, if no cracking is found, doing the preventative modification specified in paragraph 3.B.2. of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 727-52-0149, dated October 16, 2003, terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD.
