2025-02-02: 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: 2025-02-02 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22935; Docket No. FAA-2024-1467; Project Identifier AD-2023-01241-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 17, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability (1) This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category. (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 a report indicating cracks in the frame inner chord and web at station (STA) 727. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracks in the left and right frames at STA 727 before they reach a critical length. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, may result in the inability of a principal structural element 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 for Group 1 Airplanes For airplanes identified as Group 1 in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1416 RB, dated July 21, 2023: Within 120 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect for existing repairs and cracking of the frame inner chord and web at STA 727, between S-11 and S-13, left and right sides, using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD. (h) Required Actions for Group 2 Airplanes For airplanes identified as Group 2 in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1416 RB, dated July 21, 2023: Except as specified by paragraph (i) of this AD, at the applicable times specified in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1416 RB, dated July 21, 2023, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1416 RB, dated July 21, 2023. Note 1 to paragraph (h): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53A1416, dated July 21, 2023, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1416 RB, dated July 21, 2023. (i) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications (1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1416 RB, dated July 21, 2023, refers to the original issue date of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1416 RB, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1416 RB, dated July 21, 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, before further flight using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (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 of the certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k)(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, 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. (k) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Muoi Vuong, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone: 562-627-5205; email: [email protected]. (2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the address specified in paragraph (l)(3) of this AD. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1416 RB, dated July 21, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For Boeing 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 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 [email protected]. Issued on January 14, 2025. Suzanne Masterson, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-02383 Filed 2-7-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P