2024-05-09: 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: 2024-05-09 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22700; Docket No. FAA-2023-1046; Project Identifier AD-2023-00253-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 8, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0121 RB, dated September 28, 2022. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code: 53, Fuselage. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a crack at fuselage station (STA) 1640 frame web common to the lower hinge intercostal tee clip center hole of the upper fastener row. This condition, if not addressed, could result in the inability of a principal structural element to sustain limit loads, 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 757-53A0121 RB, dated September 28, 2022, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0121 RB, dated September 28, 2022. Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0121, dated September 28, 2022, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0121 RB, dated September 28, 2022. (h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications (1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0121 RB, dated September 28, 2022, use the phrase "the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0121 RB," this AD requires replacing those words with "the effective date of this AD." (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0121 RB, dated September 28, 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. (3) For airplanes modified in accordance with Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01518SE, with or without blended or scimitar blended winglets installed: This AD requires dividing the applicable compliance times and repeat intervals specified in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0121 RB, dated September 28, 2022, by a factor of two. (4) For Group 1 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0121 RB, dated September 28, 2022, that have been converted from passenger to freighter configuration using VT MAE STC ST03562AT or ST03952AT and that have a long inner chord strap part number 146N8711-65 at the STA 1640 fuselage frame: The actions specified in paragraph (g) of this AD are not required. (5) For Group 3 airplanes identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0121 RB, dated September 28, 2022, that have been converted from passenger to freighter configuration using VT MAE STC ST03562AT: Do all applicable actions for Group 4, as identified in, and in accordance with, Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0121 RB, dated September 28, 2022, at the applicable times for Group 4 as specified in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0121 RB, dated September 28, 2022. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, 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 of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) 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, 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. (j) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Wayne Ha, Aviation Safety Engineer, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 562-627-5238; email: [email protected]. (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (k)(3) of this AD. (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 Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0121 RB, dated September 28, 2022. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For material identified in this AD, contact Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services (C&DS), 2600 Westminster Boulevard, MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600; telephone 562-797-1717; website: myboeingfleet.com . (4) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th Street, 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 protected]. Issued on March 4, 2024. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-06995 Filed 4-2-24; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P