2024-01-06: 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: 2024-01-06 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22657; Docket No. FAA-2023-1041; Project Identifier AD-2022-01223-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 7, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-600, 737-700, and 737-800 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1217, Revision 1, dated September 8, 2022. (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 (DAH) indicating the fuselage skin repairs at the double row of fasteners centered on certain stringers have inadequate inspection requirements for continuing airworthiness following repair accomplishment, which could result in fatigue cracking of the repair going undetected. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the inadequacy of post-repair inspection requirements at certain repair fastener locations centered on stringer S-17L and S-17R, at station (STA) 360 to STA 380 and at STA 888 to STA 907. Such inspection inadequacy could result in post-repair fatigue cracks going undetected. Fatigue cracking, if not addressed, could grow to a critical length, which could result in rapid decompression and loss of 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 in paragraph (h) of this AD: For Group 1 through 3, Configuration 3 airplanes as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1217, Revision 1, dated September 8, 2022, at the applicable times specified in Tables 3 through 6 of paragraph 1.E., "Compliance," of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1217, Revision 1, dated September 8, 2022, do all applicable actions identified as "RC" (required for compliance) in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1217, Revision 1, dated September 8, 2022. (h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications (1) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1217, Revision 1, dated September 8, 2022, 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 (i) of this AD. (2) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1217, Revision 1, dated September 8, 2022, specifies using corrosion inhibiting compound (CIC) compound BMS 3-23, this AD also allows use of CIC compound BMS 3-35. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) 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, AIR-520 Continued Operational Safety 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) Except as specified by paragraph (h) of this AD: For service information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (i)(4)(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. (j) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Bill Ashforth, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3520; email [email protected]. (k) 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 737-53A1217, Revision 1, dated September 8, 2022. (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 material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected] . Issued on January 6, 2024. Caitlin Locke, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-01968 Filed 1-31-24; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P