2018-06-07: 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\n2018-06-07 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-19227; Docket No. FAA- 2017-0711; Product Identifier 2017-NM-003-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective May 3, 2018. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, dated November 14, 2016. \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 a report of fatigue cracking found in the fuselage frame at station (STA) 1640, which severed the inner chord and web. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the fuselage frame at STA 1640, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Actions Required for Compliance \n\n\n\t(1) For all airplanes except those identified in paragraphs (g)(2) and (g)(3) of this AD: Do all applicable actions identified as ''RC'' (required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757- 53A0108, dated November 14, 2016; except as provided by paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(4) of this AD. Do the actions at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, dated November 14, 2016, except as provided by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD. \n\t(2) For airplanes on which Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) Alert Service Bulletin AP757-53-001, Revision 1, dated June 21, 2017, blended or scimitar blended winglets are installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate ST01518SE: Do all applicable actions identified as ''RC'' (required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of APB Alert Service Bulletin AP757-53-001, Revision 1, dated June 21, 2017; and Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, dated November 14, 2016; except as provided by paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(4) of this AD. Do the actions at the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of APB Alert Service Bulletin AP757-53-001, Revision 1, dated June 21, 2017, except as provided by paragraph (h)(3) of this AD. \n\t(3) For airplanes that have been converted from passenger to freighter configuration in accordance with VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering (VT MAE) Supplemental Type Certificate ST03562AT: Do all applicable actions identified as ''RC'' in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, dated November 14, 2016; except as provided by paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(4) of this AD. Do the actions at the \n\n((Page 13401)) \n\napplicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ''Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, dated November 14, 2016, except as provided by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD. Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, dated November 14, 2016, refers to Group 1 airplanes, the tasks identified under Group 2 airplanes must be done instead; where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757- 53A0108, dated November 14, 2016, refers to Group 4 airplanes, the tasks identified under Group 5 airplanes must be done instead. \n\n(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications \n\n\n\t(1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, dated November 14, 2016, specifies contacting Boeing for instructions, and specifies that action as RC: This AD requires using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD. \n\t(2) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this AD: Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, dated November 14, 2016, uses the phrase ''the original issue date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires using ''the effective date of this AD.'' \n\t(3) For purposes of determining compliance with the requirements of this AD: Where APB Alert Service Bulletin AP757-53-001, Revision 1, dated June 21, 2017, uses the phrase ''the original issue date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires using ''the effective date of this AD.'' \n\t(4) Where Figures 5 and 6, Step 2, Note (a), of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, dated November 14, 2016, specify a high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection for any crack in the fuselage frame inner chord forward bend radius and around the fasteners, between thetwo fasteners above and below the edges of the intercostal strap, this AD does not require inspecting around the two fasteners located below the lower edge of the intercostal strap at stringer 13. \n\n\n\t(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) \n\n\n\t(1) The Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) 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 district office. \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 Branch, 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) Except as required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD: For service information that contains steps that are labeled as RC, the provisions of paragraphs (i)(4)(i) and (i)(4)(ii) of this AD apply. \n\t(i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ''RC Exempt,'' then the RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and identified figures. \n\t(ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy condition. \n\n(j) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Chandra Ramdoss, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627- 5239; fax: 562-627-5210; email: [email protected]. \n\n(k) 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) Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) Alert Service Bulletin AP757- 53-001, Revision 1, dated June 21, 2017. \n\t(ii) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0108, dated November 14, 2016. \n\t(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740; telephone: 562-797-1717; internet: https://www.myboeingfleet.com. \n\t(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. \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.