2026-20-04: 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: 2026-20-04 The Boeing Company: Amendment 39-23477; Docket No. FAA-2026-2730; Project Identifier AD-2025-01579-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 5, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability (1) This AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 757-300 series airplanes, certificated in any category. (2) Installation of Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01518SE does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01518SE 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 crack growth analysis that indicated that the existing maintenance planning data and supplemental structural inspection program tasks do not provide adequate inspection opportunities to detect cracks in the upper frames around the uppermost fastener common to the fail-safe chord at certain fuselage frame splices. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the upper frames around the uppermost fastener common to the fail-safe chord at certain fuselage frame splices, which could lead to multiple upper frame failures. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in the inability of a principal structural element to sustain limit loads and the loss of continued safe flight and landing. (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 757-53A0122 RB, dated September 26, 2025, do all applicable actions identified in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0122 RB, dated September 26, 2025. Note 1 to paragraph (g): Guidance for accomplishing the actions required by this AD can be found in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 757-53A0122, dated September 26, 2025, which is referred to in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0122 RB, dated September 26, 2025. (h) Exceptions to Requirements Bulletin Specifications (1) Where the Compliance Time column of the tables in the "Compliance" paragraph of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0122 RB, dated September 26, 2025, refers to the original issue date of Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0122 RB, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (2) Where Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0122 RB, dated September 26, 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 Table 2 in the "Compliance" paragraph and the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 757-53A0122 RB, dated September 26, 2025, states "S-13L and S-14L", for this AD replace that text with "S-13R and S-14R". (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 Wayne Ha, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: 562-627-5238; email: wayne.ha@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 757-53A0122 RB, dated September 26, 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 22, 2026. Brian Knaup, Acting Deputy Director, Integrated Certificate Management Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-20120 Filed 9-30-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P