Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767 Series Airplanes

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) T97-08-51 that was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Boeing Model 767 series airplanes by individual telegrams. This AD requires an inspection to ensure that all bolts of the hinge fitting assembly support beam on both the left-and right-hand outboard trailing edge flaps are the correct length and type, and correction of any discrepancy found. This action is prompted by a report indicating that a 20-foot section of the right-hand outboard trailing edge flap separated from the airplane due to failure of four bolts of the most inboard hinge fitting. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct such failed bolts, which could result in loss of an outboard trailing edge flap, and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.