2021-25-05: Fuselage

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-23-02, Amendment 39-19096 (82 FR 52835, November 15, 2017); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2021-25-05 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-21848; Docket No. FAA-2021-0665; Project Identifier AD-2021-00270-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 22, 2022. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2017-23-02, Amendment 39-19096 (82 FR 52835, November 15, 2017) (AD 2017-23-02). (c) Applicability (1) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, Revision 1, dated February 26, 2021. (2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01219SE 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. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder indicating that the fuselage crown skin panels are subject to widespread fatigue damage. This AD was also prompted by a determination that certain airplane configurations and inspection locations need to be revised, and that additional airplanes are subject to the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the fuselage crown skin panels. Multiple adjacent cracks in the fuselage crown skin could link up and lead to decompression or loss of structural integrity of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Actions for Group 43 Airplanes For airplanes identified as Group 43 in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, Revision 1, dated February 26, 2021, within 120 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect the airplane and do all applicable on-condition actions using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD (h) Required Actions for Groups 1 Through 42 Airplanes For airplanes identified as Groups 1 through 42 in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, Revision 1, dated February 26, 2021, except as specified by paragraph (i) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., "Compliance," of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, Revision 1, dated February 26, 2021, do all applicable actions identified as "RC" (required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, Revision 1, dated February 26, 2021. Actions identified as terminating action in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, Revision 1, dated February 26, 2021, terminate the applicable required actions of this AD, provided the terminating action is done in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, Revision 1, dated February 26, 2021. (i) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications (1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, Revision 1, dated February 26, 2021, uses the phrase "the original issue date of this service bulletin," this AD requires using "December 20, 2017" (the effective date of AD 2017-23-02). (2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, Revision 1, dated February 26, 2021, specifies contacting Boeing for repair instructions or for work instructions, this AD requires doing the repair, or doing the work instructions and applicable on-condition actions using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD. (3) Part 7 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, Revision 1, dated February 26, 2021, specifies post-modification airworthiness limitation inspections in compliance with 14 CFR 25.571(a)(3) at the modified locations to support compliance with 14 CFR 121.1109(c)(2) or 129.109(b)(2). Although Part 7 is identified as RC, this AD does not require accomplishment of Part 7. As airworthiness limitations, these inspections are required by maintenance and operational rules. It is, therefore, unnecessary to mandate them in this AD. Deviations from these inspections require FAA approval, but do not require an AMOC. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in Related Information. Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (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 Company Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Los Angeles ACO Branch, FAA, 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. (4) AMOCs approved for AD 2017-23-02 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, Revision 1, dated February 26, 2021, that are required by paragraph (h) of this AD. (5) Except as specified by paragraph (i)(2) of this AD: For service information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (j)(5)(i) and (ii) of this AD apply. (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. (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. (k) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact James Guo, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5357; email: [email protected]. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (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. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, Revision 1, dated February 26, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (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 90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; internet https://www.myboeingfleet.com. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. (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, email [email protected] , or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on November 30, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-00588 Filed 1-14-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P