2026-18-07: 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: 2026-18-07 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-23462; Docket No. FAA-2025-3439; Project Identifier AD-2025-00463-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 22, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 737-8, 737-9, and 737-8200 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1420 RB, dated February 13, 2025. (d) Subject Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports indicating cracks in the bear strap and stub frame at the forward galley door cutout, from station (STA) 290 to STA 296 and between stringer S-8R and stringer S-9R. The FAA is issuing this AD to address any crack in the fuselage skin, bear strap, and stub frame at the forward galley door cutout from STA 290 to STA 296 and between stringer S-8R and stringer S-9R, before it reaches 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 Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: At the applicable times specified in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1420 RB, dated February 13, 2025, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1420 RB, dated February 13, 2025. Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1420, dated February 13, 2025, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1420 RB, dated February 13, 2025. (h) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications (1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1420 RB, dated February 13, 2025, refer to the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1420 RB, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1420 RB, dated February 13, 2025, 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) Where flag note (a) of Figure 6 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 737-53A1420 RB, dated February 13, 2025, specifies "Use the probe to scan internal surface of the bear strap at the specified area", this AD requires replacing that text with "Use the probe to scan the internal surface of the stub frame at the specified area". (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 Continued Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. (2) 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. (j) Additional Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Luis Cortez-Muniz, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 206-231-3958; email: luis.a.cortez-muniz@faa.gov. (2) Material 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 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 737-53A1420 RB, dated February 13, 2025. (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; 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 fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on September 2, 2026. Brian Knaup, Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-19082 Filed 9-16-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P