2006-11-11: Fatigue cracking of PSEs

2006-11-11 Boeing: Amendment 39-14615. Docket No. FAA-2005-23213; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-192-AD. \n\nEffective Date \n\n\t(a) This AD becomes effective June 30, 2006. \n\nAffected ADs \n\n\t(b) This AD supersedes AD 2001-20-12. \n\nApplicability \n\n\t(c) This AD applies to all Boeing Model 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category. \n\n\tNote 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to incorporate new inspections for fatigue cracking of principal structural elements (PSEs). Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to incorporate the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance according to paragraph (j) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued damage tolerance of the affected structure. The FAA has provided guidance for this determination in Advisory Circular (AC) 25-1529. \n\nUnsafe Condition \n\n\t(d) This AD results from a new revision to the Airworthiness Limitations section of the maintenance manual (757 Airworthiness Limitations Instructions (ALI)). We are issuing this AD to ensure that fatigue cracking of various PSEs is detected and corrected; such fatigue cracking could adversely affect the structural integrity of these airplanes. \n\nCompliance \n\n\t(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. \n\nRequirements of AD 2001-20-12 \n\nRevision of Airworthiness Limitations and Certification Maintenance Requirements \n\n\t(f) For Model 757 series airplanes having line numbers 1 through 764 inclusive, and subject to the requirements of AD 2001-20-12: Within 3 years after November 20, 2001 (the effective date of AD 2001-20-12), revise Section 9 of the Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Data (MPD) Document entitled "Airworthiness Limitations and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs)" to incorporate Subsection B. of Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision "May 1997" or Revision "November 1998." Accomplishing the requirements in paragraph (h) of this AD ends the requirements in this paragraph. \n\n\tNote 2: For the purposes of this AD, the terms PSEs as used in this AD, and Structural Significant Items (SSIs) as used in Section 9 of Boeing 757 MPD Document, are considered to be interchangeable. \n\nNo Alternative Inspections/Inspection Intervals \n\n\t(g) Except as provided in paragraph (j) of this AD: After the actions required by paragraph (f) of this AD have been accomplished, no alternative inspections or inspection intervals shall be approved for the PSEs contained in Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision "May 1997" or "November 1998." \n\nNew Actions Required by This AD \n\n\t(h) For all airplanes: Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, revise Section 9, "Airworthiness Limitations and CMRs" of the Boeing 757 MPD Document to incorporate Subsection B. of Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision "May 2003;" or Revision "June 2005," as applicable. Accomplishing the requirements in this paragraph ends the requirements in paragraph (f) of this AD. \n\nNo Alternative Inspections/Inspection Intervals \n\n\t(i) Except as provided in paragraph (j) of this AD: After the actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD have been accomplished, no alternative inspections or inspection intervals shall be approved for the PSEs contained in Boeing 757 MPD Document D622N001-9, Revision "May 2003" or Revision "June 2005." \n\nAlternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\t(j) The Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD,if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. \n\n\t(1) AMOCs approved previously in accordance with AD 2001-20-12, are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD. \n\n\t(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec. 39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards Certificate Holding District Office. \n\n\t(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair required by this AD, if it is approved by an Authorized Representative for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the repair must meet the certification basis of the airplane. \n\nMaterial Incorporated by Reference \n\n\t(k) The actions required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Data Document, Section 9, "Airworthiness Limitations and Certification Maintenance Requirements," Subsection B. of Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision "May 2003;" Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Data Document, Section 9, "Airworthiness Limitations and Certification Maintenance Requirements," Subsection B. of Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision "June 2005;" Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Data Document, Section 9, Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision "May 1997;" or Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Data Document, Section 9, Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision "November 1998;" as applicable; unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Data Document, Section 9, "Airworthiness Limitations and Certification Maintenance Requirements," Subsection B. of Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision "May 2003;" and Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Data Document, Section 9, "Airworthiness Limitations and Certification Maintenance Requirements," Subsection B. of Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision "June 2005;" in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\n\t(2) On November 20, 2001 (66 FR 52492, October 16, 2001), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Data Document, Section 9, Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision "May 1997;" and Boeing 757 Maintenance Planning Data Document, Section 9, Boeing Document D622N001-9, Revision "November 1998." \n\n\t(3) Contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, P.O. Box 3707, Seattle, Washington 98124-2207, for a copy of this service information. You may review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call (202)741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html .