That Malaysian 777... Anybody seen brand new AD 2014-5-3? Note that it's not even effective yet.
2014-05-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-17776; Docket No. FAA-2013-0830; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-128-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective April 9, 2014. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, -300ER, and -777F series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of cracking in the fuselage skin underneath the satellite communication (SATCOM) antenna adapter. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking and corrosion in the fuselage skin, which could lead to rapid decompression and loss of structural integrity of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Repetitive Inspections (1) For Groups 1-4 airplanes, and Group 5, Configurations 3 and 4 airplanes, identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013: Except as required by paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, within the applicable compliance times specified in paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013, do internal detailed and surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections of the visible fuselage skin, and doubler if installed, for cracking; do external detailed and surface HFEC inspections of the visible fuselage skin, and doubler if installed, for cracking, corrosion, and any indication that shows a contact of a certain fastener to a bonding jumper; and do all applicable repairs; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013, except as required by paragraph (h)(3) of this AD. Thereafter, repeat the inspections at the applicable intervals specified in paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013. Do all applicable repairs before further flight. (2) For Group 5, Configurations 1, 2, and 5 airplanes, identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 777-53A0068, dated June 12, 2013: No action is required by this AD.
That's still a pretty remote and rather backward part of the world. If they were out of VHF and primary radar coverage, SATCOM would have been their only means of voice and data communication. Now if the SATCOM blew off the plane, that could explain why they went silent.
