Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17415 · Fuselage
The Boeing Company Airplanes
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010.
We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. That AD currently requires inspecting for scribe lines in the skin along lap joints, butt joints, certain external doublers, and the large cargo door hinges, and doing related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD adds an inspection for scribe lines where external decals have been applied or removed across lap joints, large cargo door hinges, and external doublers, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary. This AD was prompted by a determination that scribe lines could occur where external decals are installed or removed across lap joints, large cargo door hinges, or external doublers. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct scribe lines, which can develop into fatigue cracks in the skin. Undetected fatigue cracks can grow and cause sudden decompression of the airplane.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2009-24-08, Amendment 39-16096 (74 FR 62217, November 27, 2009), with new service information and a new exception.
(1) At the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, dated August 7, 2008, except as provided in paragraphs (h) and (j) of this AD: Do detailed exploratory inspections for scribe lines in the skin along lap joints, butt joints, certain external doublers, and the large cargo door hinges, except as specified in paragraph (n)(3) of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions at the times specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, dated August 7, 2008, by accomplishing all actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, dated August 7, 2008; or Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010; except as specified in paragraphs (i) and (n)(3) of this AD. As of the effective date of this AD, use only Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010, to do the actions required by this paragraph.
(2) The inspection exceptions described in NOTES 1.- 5. in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, dated August 7, 2008; and NOTES 1. through 6. in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010; apply to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2009-24-08, Amendment 39-16096 (74 FR 62217, November 27, 2009). Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, dated August 7, 2008, specifies a compliance time after the date on that service bulletin, paragraph (g) of this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after January 4, 2010 (the effective date of AD 2009-24-08).
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2009-24-08, Amendment 39-16096 (74 FR 62217, November 27, 2009), with new service information. Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, dated August 7, 2008; and Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010; specify to contact Boeing for appropriate action, accomplish applicable actions using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (q) of this AD.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD 2009-24-08, Amendment 39-16096 (74 FR 62217, November 27, 2009). Where paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, dated August 7, 2008, specifies to “contact Boeing for inspection requirements for operation beyond 60,000 total flight-cycles after first repaint,” for those airplanes, this AD requires contacting the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), for all inspection requirements of this AD and for doing the requirements.
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (k) of AD 2009-24-08, Amendment 39-16096 (74 FR 62217, November 27, 2009). At the applicable time specified in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this AD: Submit a report of positive findings of cracks found during the inspection required by paragraphs (g) and (m) of this AD to the Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207. Alternatively, operators may submit reports to their Boeing field service representatives. 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.
(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.
Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD; or at the applicable time specified for inspection of external doubler, lap joint, or large cargo door hinge locations in Tables 1 through 6 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010; whichever is later: Inspect to determine the locations where external decals have been applied or removed across affected lap joints, large cargo door hinges, and external doublers, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010, except as specified in paragraph (n)(3) of this AD. A review of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if a record of all decal activities (installation or removal locations) can be conclusively determined from that review.
If, during the inspection required by paragraph (l) of this AD, any location is found where external decals have been applied or removed across lap joints, large cargo door hinges, or external doublers: Before further flight, do a detailed exploratory inspection for scribe lines at all affected locations, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010, except as specified in paragraph (n)(3) of this AD. Do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions at the times specified in Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010, by accomplishing all actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010, except as provided by paragraphs (i) and (n)(3) of this AD.
(1) Where Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010, specifies a compliance time after the date on that service bulletin, paragraphs (l) and (m) of this AD require compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Where paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010, specifies to “contact Boeing for inspection requirements for operation beyond 60,000 total flight-cycles after first repaint,” for those airplanes, this AD requires contacting the Manager, Seattle ACO, for all inspection requirements of this AD and for doing the requirements.
(3) Where Boeing Service Bulletin 777-53A0054, Revision 1, dated November 4, 2010, specifies to “Put the airplane back to a serviceable condition,” this AD does not require that action.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
