2025-05-16: Fuselage

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2025-05-16 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-22988; Docket No. FAA-2024-2315; Project Identifier AD-2023-00537-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 22, 2025. (b) Affected ADs This AD affects AD 2019-11-06, Amendment 39-19652 (84 FR 27193, June 12, 2019) (AD 2019-11-06). (c) Applicability (1) This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-800 series airplanes, certificated in any category, that have been converted to a freighter configuration using Boeing Drawing 800A0003 before April 1, 2021, and are identified as Group A in Section 5.2.1, "Effectivity," of Boeing 737-800BCF Airworthiness Limitations, D140A006, Revision L, dated April 1, 2021. Note 1 to paragraph (c)(1): Airplanes with a 737-800BCF designation are Model 737-800 series airplanes that have been converted to a freighter configuration using Boeing Drawing 800A0003. (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 a determination that the compliance time for the initial ultrasonic inspection of the skin under the drag link assembly required by AD 2019-11-06 must be reduced for certain airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking found in the station (STA) 540 bulkhead chord and skin, which could result in the inability of a primary structural element to sustain limit load. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in possible 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 (1) For airplanes identified as Group 1, Configuration 2, 3, 4, or 5, or as Group 5 in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018: At the compliance time specified in paragraph (g)(1)(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of this AD, whichever occurs last, perform an ultrasonic inspection of the skin under the drag link assembly in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Part 2, of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018. Do all applicable on-condition actions for the Part 2 inspection at the times specified in paragraph 1.E., "Compliance," of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, except where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, specifies contacting Boeing for repair instructions, this AD requires doing the repair using a method approved in accordance with paragraph (j) of this AD. (i) Before the airplane accumulates 17,000 total flight cycles. (ii) Within 5,000 flight cycles after July 17, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-11-06). (iii) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD. (iv) Within 1,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. (2) For airplanes identified as Group 1, Configuration 1, 3, or 4 in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018: At the compliance time specified in paragraph (g)(2)(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of this AD, whichever occurs last, perform an ultrasonic inspection of the repair tripler under the drag link assembly in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions, Part 6, of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018. Do all applicable on-condition actions for the Part 6 inspection at the times specified in paragraph 1.E., "Compliance," of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, except where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018, specifies contacting Boeing for repair instructions, this AD requires doing the repair using a method approved in accordance with paragraph (j) of this AD. (i) Before the airplane accumulates 30,000 total flight cycles. (ii) Within 5,000 flight cycles after July 17, 2019 (the effective date of AD 2019-11-06). (iii) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD. (iv) Within 1,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD. (i) Terminating Action for Certain Requirements of AD 2019-11-06 Accomplishing the actions required by this AD replaces the corresponding initial ultrasonic inspections and on-condition actions required by paragraph (g) of AD 2019-11-06 for Model 737-800 series airplanes converted to a freighter configuration using Boeing Drawing 800A0003 only. (j) 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 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, 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 For more information about this AD, contact Owen Bley-Male, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3992; email: [email protected]. (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 737-800BCF Airworthiness Limitations, D140A006, Revision L, dated April 1, 2021. (ii) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1368, dated February 27, 2018. (3) For Boeing material 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 material 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 March 7, 2025. Peter A. White, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division,Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-04319 Filed 3-17-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P