Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16578 · Fuselage
The Boeing Company Model 727 Airplanes
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 727, 727C, 727-100, 727-100C, 727-200, and 727-200F series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD requires inspections for scribe lines in the fuselage skin at skin lap joints and butt joints, the skin at certain external approved repairs, the skin around external features such as antennas, and the skin at decals and fairings; and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by reports of scribe lines found at skin lap joints and butt joints, around external repairs and antennas, and at locations where external decals had been cut. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct scribe lines, which can develop into fatigue cracks in the skin and cause 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.
At the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010, except as provided in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD, do detailed inspections for scribe lines of skin lap joints, skin butt joints, around external approved repairs, external features, and fairings, and at locations where external decals may have been cut, and do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions at the times specified in the service bulletin, by accomplishing all actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010, except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD.
Note 1: The inspection exemptions noted in paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010, apply to this AD.
Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010, specifies a compliance time after “the original issue date on this service bulletin,” this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
(i) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010, specifies to calculate the flight-cycle time for an airplane “as of the original issue date on this service bulletin,” this AD requires the airplane flight-cycle time to be calculated as of the effective date of this AD.
(j) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action, accomplish applicable actions before further flight using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (m) of this AD.
At the applicable time specified in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this AD: Submit a report of positive crack findings of the inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD. Operators may use the reporting form contained in Appendixes B and C, as applicable, of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-53A0233, dated February 19, 2010. Send the report to Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. The report must contain, at a minimum, the inspection results, a description of any discrepancies found, the airplane serial number, and the number of flight cycles and flight hours on the airplane. Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements contained in this AD and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
(1) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the inspection.
(2) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
