AD 81-03-53 R1 ACTIVE

81-03-53 R1 LOCKHEED-CALIFORNIA COMPANY: Amendment 39-4243 as amended by Amendment 39-4301. Applies to Lockheed Model L-188 airplanes certificated in all categories. Compliance required as indicated, unless previously accomplished:

A. Compliance Schedule

1. For airplanes with more than 25,000 hours time-in-service on the effective date of this AD, compliance required within 48 hours calendar time after the effective date of this AD.

2. For airplanes with less than 25,000 hours time-in-service on the effective date of this AD, compliance required prior to reaching 25,000 hour time-in-service or within 48 hours calendar time after the effective date of this AD whichever is later.

B. Accomplishment Instructions

To detect cracks and prevent failure of the lower wing planks and fuel leakage, accomplish the following:

1. Visually check the lower Butt Line (B.L.) 65 splice joints for signs of fuel leakage prior to each takeoff.

(NOTE: This check maybe performed and recorded by flightcrew if properly instructed in conducting the inspection.)

2. Aircraft exhibiting surface wet with fuel seeps, dripping, and/or running leaks shall be inspected for cracks per Paragraph 6 below prior to further flight.

3. Aircraft exhibiting dry fuel stains that do not become wet shall be inspected for cracks per Paragraph 6 below within the next 500 flight hours time-in-service. Fuel stains that become wet must be inspected for cracks per Paragraph 6 below prior to further flight.

4. Aircraft showing no fuel stains shall be inspected for cracks per Paragraph 6 below within the next 2,000 flight hours time-in-service.

5. Repetitive inspections shall be conducted at intervals not to exceed 2000 flight hours time-in-service if the inspection procedures specified in Paragraph 6(a) or (b) below are used and alternatively at 4000 flight hours time-in-service if the inspection procedure in Paragraph 6(c) below is used. For aircraftthat have been repaired in accordance with Lockheed- California Drawing No. 842394, this repetitive inspection requirement begins only after 15000 flight hours time-in-service from the time of the repair have been attained.

6. (a) X-ray inspect both sides of each splice joint front to rear spar per Lockheed-California L-188 Service Bulletin 88/SB-707A dated November 12, 1981 (hereinafter referred to as 88/SB-707A) paragraph 2.A(3).

(b) As an alternate to paragraph 6(a) above, X-ray procedure per 88/SB-707A paragraph 2.A(4) may be substituted.

(c) As an alternate to paragraph 6(a) or 6(b) above, the ultrasonic inspection per 88/SB-707A paragraph 2.A(5) may be substituted.

7. Visual examination of lower surface B.L. 65 splice joint for fuel leakage prior to each takeoff per paragraph B(1) may be discontinued when inspection per Paragraph 6 and repair, if necessary, per paragraph C below are accomplished.

C. All cracks found per Paragraph B.6. must be repaired prior to further flight in accordance with a method approved by the Chief, Los Angeles Area Aircraft Certification Office, Northwest Mountain Region.

D. Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate airplanes to a base for the accomplishment of inspections and repairs required for the purposes of this AD when approved by the Chief, Los Angeles Area Aircraft Certification Office, Northwest Mountain Region.

E. Equivalent inspections and repairs may be used when approved by the Chief, Los Angeles Area Aircraft Certification Office, Northwest Mountain Region.

The manufacturer's specifications and procedures identified and described in this directive are incorporated herein and made a part hereof pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1).

All persons affected by this directive who have not already received these documents from the manufacturer may obtain copies upon request to Lockheed-California Company, P.O. Box 551, Burbank, California 91520, Attention: Commercial Support Contracts, Dept. 63-11, U-33, B-1. These documents also may be examined at FAA Northwest Mountain Region, 9010 East Marginal Way South, Seattle, Washington 98108, or 4344 Donald Douglas Drive, Long Beach, California 90808.

Amendment 39-4243 became effective November 5, 1981 to all persons except those to whom it was made immediately effective by telegraphic AD T81-03-53 dated January 30, 1981.

This Amendment 39-4301 becomes effective February 2, 1982.