2025-07-03: 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: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-09-06, Amendment 39-21519 (86 FR 23595, May 4, 2021); and b. Adding the following new AD: 2025-07-03 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-23004; Docket No. FAA-2024-0028; Project Identifier AD-2023-00919-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 13, 2025. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2021-09-06, Amendment 39-21519 (86 FR 23595, May 4, 2021) (AD 2021-09-06). (c) Applicability (1) This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, -900, and -900ER series airplanes, certificated in any category. (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 cracking in the station (STA) 663.75 frame fitting outboard chords and failsafe straps adjacent to the stringer S-18A area and a determination that additional inspections are needed to address the unsafe condition. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the STA 663.75 frame fitting outboard chords and failsafe straps adjacent to the stringer S-18A straps, which could result in failure of a principal structural element (PSE) to sustain limit load. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could adversely affect the structural integrity of the airplane and result in loss of control 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 737-53A1414 RB, Revision 1, dated November 20, 2023, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1414 RB, Revision 1, dated November 20, 2023. Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1414, Revision 1, dated November 20, 2023, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1414 RB, Revision 1, dated November 20, 2023. (h) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications (1) Where the Condition and Compliance Time columns of the tables in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1414 RB, Revision 1, dated November 20, 2023, use the phrase "the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1414 RB," or "the Revision 1 date of Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1414 RB," this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1414 RB, Revision 1, dated November 20, 2023, specifies contacting Boeing for repair instructions: This AD requires doing the repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this AD. (3) For airplanes on which the left- and right-side STA 663.75 frame fitting assembly was replaced using instructions approved via FAA Form 8100-9, the airplane is to be considered Configuration 2 of the applicable group as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1414 RB, Revision 1, dated November 20, 2023. (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 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: AMOC@faa.gov . (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) AMOCs previously approved for replacement of the STA 663.75 frame fitting assembly and related work requirements of AD 2021-09-06 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1414 RB, Revision 1, dated November 20, 2023, that are required by paragraph (g) of this AD, except for AMOCs that include any defined initial (also known as 'threshold') and repetitive inspections, which must also meet the conditions specified in paragraphs (i)(4)(i) and (ii) of this AD. (i) The inspection areas and methods in figure 1 and figure 2 of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1414 RB, Revision 1, dated November 20, 2023, are included in all initial (also known as 'threshold') and repetitive inspections. (ii) The initial (or threshold) inspection is the applicable time specified in paragraph (i)(4)(ii)(A) or (B) of this AD. (A) For airplanes identified as Group 1 airplanes in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1414 RB, Revision 1, dated November 20, 2023: Within 30,000 flight cycles from the date of the applicable FAA Form 8100-9 approval. (B) For airplanes identified as Group 2 airplanes in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1414 RB, Revision 1, dated November 20, 2023: Within 18,000 flight cycles from the date of the applicable FAA Form 8100-9 approval. (j) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Owen Bley-Male, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3992; email owen.f.bley-male@faa.gov . (2) Material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses 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 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 this AD specifies otherwise. (i) Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1414 RB, Revision 1, dated November 20, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (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; 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov . Issued on March 25, 2025. Victor Wicklund, Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-06005 Filed 4-7-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P