Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-14307 · Boeing Model 727 Airplanes

AD 2005-20-13

Boeing Model 727 Airplanes

Mentions a repeat actionAirplane

Published: October 5, 2005
Effective: November 9, 2005
Maker: Boeing
Supersedes: Nothing

Applies to

This AD applies to all Boeing Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated in any category.

The FAA's summary

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 727 airplanes. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the lower lobe frames of body section 43 to find open holes between stringers 17L and 17R and to record their location; repetitive high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for cracks of all open holes; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD also includes an optional terminating action of installing rivets in all open tooling holes and all unused lining holes, which would terminate the repetitive open-hole HFEC inspections once a hole is plugged with a rivet. This AD results from reports of cracks at open tooling holes in the lower lobe frames of body section 43. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the frames, which could result in cracks in the skin panels and rapid decompression of the airplane.

What it requires

Compliance

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.

Service Bulletin Reference

The term “service bulletin,” as used in this AD, means the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0227, dated September 16, 2004.

Inspections

Before the accumulation of 40,000 total flight cycles, or within 3,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Do a one-time general visual inspection of the lower lobe frames to find open holes between stringer 17L and stringer 17R of body section 43, record their locations, and keep these records for future reference when accomplishing the actions in this AD; and do a high-frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection for cracks of all open holes, including lining holes. Repeat the HFEC inspection at intervals not to exceed 3,500 flight cycles until the optional terminating action in paragraph (i) of this AD is accomplished. Do all inspections in accordance with the service bulletin.

Corrective Action

If any crack is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) or (j) of this AD: Before further flight, do the applicable corrective action in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD.

(1) If the crack is less than 0.063 inch in length, do the corrective action and related investigative action in Figure 6 of the service bulletin.

(2) If the crack is 0.063 inch in length or greater, repair the crack using a method approved in accordance with paragraph (k) of this AD. Chapters 51-40-3 and 53-10-4 of the Boeing 727 Structural Repair Manual (SRM) are approved methods. Except for these SRMs, for a repair method to be approved, the approval must specifically reference this AD.

Optional Terminating Action

(i) Installing rivets in all open tooling holes, and all unused lining holes, according to Part 2 of the Work Instructions of the service bulletin terminates the repetitive inspection requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD only for those holes plugged with rivets. Terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD is not permitted for all lining holes without installed rivets, except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD.

Extended Intervals for Repetitive HFEC Inspections

For open holes that are in use for lining installation only: Doing the applicable actions in Table 1 of this AD extends the intervals of the repetitive HFEC inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

Table 1.—Extended Intervals for Repetitive HFEC Inspections

If the modification specified in paragraph C. of AD 90-20-14—	Then—
(1) Was done before the effective date of this AD	Do the initial HFEC inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD at the time specified in that paragraph. Do the repetitive HFEC inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 20,000 flight cycles.
(2) Has not been done before the effective date of this AD	Do the modification specified in paragraph C. of AD 90-20-14 at the same time as the initial HFEC inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, and repeat the HFEC inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 20,000 flight cycles.

Official sources

The Federal Register document · document 05-19842, the legal text
FAA Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) · search 2005-20-13 for its current status and any corrections

If the modification specified in paragraph C. of AD 90-20-14—

Then—

(1) Was done before the effective date of this AD

Do the initial HFEC inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD at the time specified in that paragraph. Do the repetitive HFEC inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to exceed 20,000 flight cycles.

(2) Has not been done before the effective date of this AD

Do the modification specified in paragraph C. of AD 90-20-14 at the same time as the initial HFEC inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, and repeat the HFEC inspection thereafter at intervals not to exceed 20,000 flight cycles.