Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15136 · Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP Series Airplanes
Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP Series Airplanes
This AD applies to Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2542, dated February 16, 2006.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 747-100, 747-100B, 747-200B, 747-200C, 747-200F, 747-300, 747SR, and 747SP series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive high frequency eddy current inspections for cracks of the fuselage skin at stringer 5 left and right between stations 340 and 350, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from reports of fatigue cracks in the fuselage skin near stringer 5 between stations 340 and 350. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the fuselage skin near stringer 5. Cracks in this area could join together and result in in-flight depressurization of the airplane.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
For any airplane that has not had external skin doublers installed around the left- or right-side Number 3 flight deck window in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53-2272, Revision 18, dated May 16, 2002, or an earlier revision: Do the applicable actions described in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD. Do all the actions in and in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2542, dated February 16, 2006. Do the actions at the compliance times specified in paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2542, dated February 16, 2006, on the side(s) of the airplane on which the doubler installation has not been done; except where the service bulletin specifies compliance times after the date on the service bulletin, this AD requires compliance times after the effective date of this AD. Installing external skin doublers around the left- or right-side Number 3 flight deck windows in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53-2272, Revision 18, or an earlier revision, ends the repetitive high-frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections required by this paragraph on the side of the airplane on which the doublers are installed. After the effective date of this AD, only Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53-2272, Revision 18, may be used to install the external skin doublers around the left- and right-side Number 3 flight deck windows.
(1) Do a HFEC inspection for cracks of the fuselage skin at stringer 5, between body stations 340 and 350; and do all applicable corrective actions before further flight.
(2) Repeat the HFEC inspection thereafter at the applicable interval specified in paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2542, dated February 16, 2006.
For Group 1 airplanes only: External skin doublers installed around the left- or right-side Number 3 flight deck windows in accordance with the requirements of AD 90-06-06, amendment 39-6490, end the repetitive HFEC inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD on the side of the airplane on which the doublers are installed.
For Group 2 airplanes only: Before accumulating 24,000 total flight cycles, or within 250 flight cycles after the effective date of the AD, whichever occurs later, install external skin doublers around the left- and right-side Number 3 flight deck windows; in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Boeing Service Bulletin 747-53-2272, Revision 17, dated November 18, 1999, and Revision 18, dated May 16, 2002, describe one approved method of compliance for doing the required actions. After the effective date of this AD, only Revision 18 is acceptable as an approved method of compliance. Accomplishing this action ends the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD.
