2023-06-15: 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-06-15 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22401; Docket No. FAA-2022-0815; Project Identifier AD-2021-00679-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 30, 2023. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability (1) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1402 RB, dated July 2, 2021. (2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST00830SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST00830SE 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 missing shims, a wrong type of shim, shanked fasteners, fastener head gaps, and incorrect hole sizes common to the left and right side station (STA) 727 frame inner chord and S-18A web. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the left and right side of STA 727 frame inner chord and S-18A web before it reaches a critical length. This condition, if not addressed, could result in cracks in fatigue critical baseline structure (FCBS) and the inability of a principal structural element (PSE) to sustain limit load, which could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1402 RB, Revision 1, dated January 30, 2023, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1402 RB, Revision 1, dated January 30, 2023. Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1402, Revision 1, dated January 30, 2023, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1402 RB, Revision 1, dated January 30, 2023. (h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications (1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1402 RB, Revision 1, dated January 30, 2023, use the phrase "the Original Issue date of the Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1402 RB," this AD requires using "the effective date of this AD." (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1402 RB, Revision 1, dated January 30, 2023, 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 (j) of this AD. (i) Credit for Previous Actions (1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1402 RB, dated July 2, 2021. (2) This paragraph provides credit for accomplishment of the most recent inspection and report as specified in the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1385 RB, dated August 16, 2019. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Seattle 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 (k) 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, Seattle 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. (k) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Bill Ashforth, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Section, FAA, Seattle ACO Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3520; 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 Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1402 RB, Revision 1, dated January 30, 2023. (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; website 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 protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on March 24, 2023. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-08477 Filed 4-21-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P