2016-20-02: Fuselage

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): \n\n2016-20-02 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-18668; Docket No. FAA- 2015-6538; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-031-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective November 25, 2016. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tThis AD affects AD 2012-18-13 R1, Amendment 39-17429 (78 FR 27020, May 9, 2013) (''AD 2012-18-13 R1''). \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\t(1) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category, identified as Group 2 in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1214, Revision 5, dated January 30, 2015. \n\t(2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01219SE (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/EBD1CEC7B301293E86257CB30045557A?OpenDocument&Highlight=st01219s) does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01219SE is installed, a ''change in product'' alternative method of compliance (AMOC) approval request is not necessary to comply with the requirements of 14 CFR 39.17. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tAir Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. \n\n(e) Unsafe Condition \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder indicating that the aft pressure bulkhead is subject to widespread fatigue damage. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead web at the ''Y''-chord, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane and rapid decompression of the fuselage. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Repetitive Inspections of the Aft Pressure Bulkhead Web at the ''Y''-Chord Upper Bulkhead \n\n\n\tWithin 76,000 total flight cycles, or within 4,500 flight cycles since the most recent low frequency eddy current (LFEC) inspection accomplished in accordance with AD 2012-18-13 R1, or within 9,500 flight cycles since the most recent high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection accomplished in accordance with AD 2012-18-13 R1, whichever occurs latest: Do detailed and LFEC inspections from the aft side of the aft pressure bulkhead web, or do detailed and HFEC inspections from the forward side of the aft pressure bulkhead web, for any cracking, incorrectly drilled fastener hole, and elongated fastener hole, and do all applicable related investigative and corrective actions, in accordance with Part I of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1214, Revision 5, datedJanuary 30, 2015, except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD. Do all related investigative and corrective actions before further flight. If any cracking, incorrectly drilled fastener hole, or elongated fastener hole is found, before further flight, repair the aft pressure bulkhead web using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD. Thereafter, repeat the inspections at the applicable times specified in table 10 of paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1214, Revision 5, dated January 30, 2015. \n\n(h) Repetitive Inspections of the Aft Pressure Bulkhead Web at the ''Y''-Chord Below S-15 \n\n\n\tWithin 76,000 total flight cycles, or within 4,500 flight cycles since the most recent LFEC inspection accomplished in accordance with AD 2012-18-13 R1, or within 9,500 flight cycles since the most recent HFEC inspection accomplished in accordance with AD 2012-18-13 R1, whichever occurs latest: Do detailed and LFEC inspections from the aft side of the aft pressure bulkhead, or do detailed and HFEC inspections from the forward side of the aft pressure bulkhead, for any cracking, incorrectly drilled fastener hole, and elongated fastener hole, and do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with Part III of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1214, Revision 5, dated January 30, 2015, except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD. Do all corrective actions before further flight. If any cracking, incorrectly drilled fastener hole, or elongated fastener hole is found, before further flight, repair the aft pressure bulkhead web using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD. Thereafter, repeat the inspections at the applicable times specified in table 11 of paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1214, Revision 5, dated January 30, 2015. \n\n(i) Exception to the Service Information \n\n\n\tWhere Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1214, Revision 5, dated January 30, 2015, specifies to contact Boeing for repair instructions: Before further flight, repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (l) of this AD. \n\n(j) Terminating Action for Other Rulemaking \n\n\n\t(1) For Group 2 airplanes specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1214, Revision 5, dated January 30, 2015: Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD terminates the inspections required by paragraph (k) of AD 2012-18- 13 R1, except for stringer S-5L to S-7L and stringer S-5R to S-9R. \n\t(2) For Group 2 airplanes specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1214, Revision 5, dated January 30, 2015: Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (h) of this AD terminates the inspections required by paragraph (l) of AD 2012-18- 13 R1. \n\n(k) Credit for Previous Actions \n\n\n\tThis paragraph provides credit for the actions required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, if the actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1214, Revision 4, dated December 16, 2011. \n\n((Page 72515)) \n\n(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Los Angeles Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (m)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. \n\t(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding districtoffice. \n\t(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD if it is approved by the Boeing Commercial Airplanes Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO, to make those findings. To be approved, the repair method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD. \n\t(4) AMOCs approved previously for AD 2012-18-13 R1, Amendment 39-17429 (78 FR 27020, May 9, 2013), are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD. \n\n(m) Related Information \n\n\n\t(1) For more information about this AD, contact Payman Soltani, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ANM-120L, FAA, Los Angeles ACO, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood CA 90712-4137; telephone: 562- 627-5313; fax: 562-627-5210; email: [email protected]. \n\t(2) Service informationidentified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (n)(3) and (n)(4) of this AD. \n\n(n) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1214, Revision 5, dated January 30, 2015. \n\t(ii) Reserved. \n\t(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Data & Services Management, P.O. Box 3707, MC 2H-65, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; telephone 206-544- 5000, extension 1; fax 206-766-5680; Internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. \n\t(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221. \n\t(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.