AD/B727/176 - Horizontal Stabiliser - Elevator Hinge Support Ribs (Cth)

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Boeing 727 Series Aeroplanes

AD/B727/176 Horizontal Stabiliser - Elevator Hinge Support Ribs

9/2002

Applicability: All Model 727 series aircraft.

Requirement: Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2002-12-13 Amdt 39-12785.

Note: Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 727-55A0091, including Appendix A refers.

Compliance: As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 5 September 2002.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 5 September 2002.

Background: The manufacturer received numerous reports of stress corrosion cracks on the elevator hinge support ribs made from 7079-T6 material. Excessive rib damage at multiple rib locations can continue to extend in size until the elevator support stiffness is decreased, and may lead to in-flight vibration and consequential damage to the elevator and horizontal stabiliser.

David Alan Villiers Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 24 July 2002