2022-13-04: 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) 2017-24-10, Amendment 39-19114 (82 FR 57343, December 5, 2017); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2022-13-04 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22090; Docket No. FAA-2021-1073; Project Identifier AD-2021-01252-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 12, 2022. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2017-24-10, Amendment 39-19114 (82 FR 57343, December 5, 2017) (AD 2017-24-10). (c) Applicability (1) This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category. (2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01518SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01518SE 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 reports of cracking found at the fuselage station (STA) 1380 frame inner chord and by reports of new crack findings outside of the AD 2017-24-10 inspection area, which the existing inspections will not detect. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct such cracks, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane and the inability to sustain loads required for continued safe flight and landing. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Retained Inspection for Group 1 Airplanes, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (g) of AD 2017-24-10, with no changes. For Group 1 airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0101, dated November 8, 2016: At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., "Compliance," of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0101, dated November 8, 2016; except as specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, do a surface high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspection for any cracking of the fuselage STA 1380 frame inner chord, and do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0101, dated November 8, 2016; except as specified in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight. Repeat the surface HFEC inspection, thereafter, at the times specified in paragraph 1.E., "Compliance," of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0101, dated November 8, 2016. (h) Retained Inspection for Group 2 Airplanes, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 2017-24-10, with no changes. For Group 2 airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0101, dated November 8, 2016: At the applicable time specified in paragraph 1.E., "Compliance," of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0101, dated November 8, 2016, except as specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, identify the material of the fuselage STA 1380 frame inner chord, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0101, dated November 8, 2016. (1) If the fuselage STA 1380 frame inner chord material 2024-T42 aluminum alloy is found during any identification required by paragraph (h) of this AD: No further action is required by this paragraph for that airplane. (2) If the fuselage STA 1380 frame inner chord material 7075-T73 aluminum alloy is found during any identification required by the introductory text of paragraph (h) of this AD: Before further flight, do a surface HFEC inspection for any cracking of the fuselage STA 1380 frame inner chord, and do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0101, dated November 8, 2016; except as specified in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD. Do all applicable corrective actions before further flight. Repeat the surface HFEC inspection thereafter at the times specified in paragraph 1.E., "Compliance," of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0101, dated November 8, 2016. (i) Retained Exceptions to the Service Information, With No Changes This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 2017-24-10, with no changes. (1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0101, dated November 8, 2016, specifies a compliance time "after the original issue date of this service bulletin," this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after January 9, 2018 (the effective date of AD 2017-24-10). (2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0101, dated November 8, 2016, specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action and identifies that action as "RC" (Required for Compliance): Before further flight, repair the crack using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (m) of this AD. (j) New Required Actions Except as specified by paragraph (k) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0118 RB, dated October 22, 2021, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0118 RB, dated October 22, 2021. Note 1 to paragraph (j): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0118, dated October 22, 2021, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0118 RB, dated October 22, 2021. (k) New Exceptions to Service Information Specifications (1) Where the Compliance Time column of the tables in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0118 RB, dated October 22, 2021, uses the phrase "the original issue date of the Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0118 RB," this AD requires using "the effective date of this AD." (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0118 RB, dated October 22, 2021, specifies contacting Boeing for repair instructions or for alternative inspections: This AD requires doing the repair, or doing the alternative inspections and applicable on-condition actions using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (m) of this AD. (3) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0118 RB, dated October 22, 2021, states that 757-200 SRM 53-00-07 Repair 4 is for "757-200 Special Freighter STC ST00916WI-D only," for this AD, 757-200 SRM 53-00-07 Repair 4 is for "757-200 Special Freighter STC ST00916WI-D and VT Mobile Aerospace Engineering (VT MAE) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST03562AT only." (l) Terminating Action for Certain Inspections Accomplishment of the applicable initial inspections and corrective actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0118 RB, dated October 22, 2021, terminates the inspections required by paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD. (m) 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 paragraph (n) of this AD. 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 previously for AD 2017-24-10 are not approved as AMOCs with this AD. (5) Except as specified by paragraph (i) of this AD: For service information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (m)(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. (n) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Peter Jarzomb, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Los Angeles ACO Branch, 3960 Paramount Boulevard, Lakewood, CA 90712-4137; phone: 562-627-5234; email: [email protected]. (o) 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 this AD specifies otherwise. (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on August 12, 2022. (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0118 RB, dated October 22, 2021. (ii) [Reserved] (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on January 9, 2018 (82 FR 57343, December 5, 2017). (i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0101, dated November 8, 2016. (ii) [Reserved] (5) 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. (6) 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. (7) 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 June 13, 2022. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-14490 Filed 7-7-22; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P