Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 777-200 Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 777-200 series airplanes. This action requires repetitive torquing of the bushing retainer nuts of the pivot pins in the horizontal stabilizer hinge assembly to tighten loose nuts to the new torque value; and repetitive visual inspections, if necessary, to detect bushing migration or damage to adjacent structures, and repair of any damage. This proposal also provides for an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This amendment is prompted by a report of a loose bushing retainer nut, which may be attributed to low nut torque. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and correct loose bushing retainer nuts of the pivot pins in the horizontal stabilizer hinge assembly, which could result in bushing migration and consequent damage to the adjacent structure, and reduced controllability of the airplane.