Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17043 · Fuselage
The Boeing Company Airplanes
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-53A0139, dated November 12, 2009.
Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) ST01920SE (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/082838ee177dbf62862576a4005cdfc0/$FILE/ST01920SE.pdf) does not affect the ability to accomplish the actions required by this AD. Therefore, for airplanes on which STC ST01920SE 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.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 767-200 and -300 series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of multiple site damage cracks in the radial web lap and tear strap splices of the aft pressure bulkhead at station (STA) 1582 due to fatigue. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead at STA 1582, repair or replacement of any cracked bulkhead, and eventual replacement of the aft pressure bulkhead at STA 1582 with a new bulkhead. Accomplishing the replacement terminates the repetitive inspections required by this AD. We are issuing this AD to prevent fatigue cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane and possible damage or interference with the airplane control systems that penetrate the bulkhead, and consequent loss of controllability of the airplane.
Except as provided by paragraph (h) of this AD: Before the accumulation of 43,000 total flight cycles, or within 1,600 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, do detailed, low-frequency eddy current, and mid-frequency eddy current inspections for cracking of the aft pressure bulkhead at STA 1582, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-53A0139, dated November 12, 2009. If any crack is found, before further flight, replace the bulkhead as required by paragraph (h) of this AD, or repair the crack in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-53A0139, dated November 12, 2009, and repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,600 flight cycles. If no crack is found, repeat the inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,600 flight cycles. Accomplishing the inspections required by this paragraph terminates the inspections required by paragraph (f) of AD 2005-03-11, Amendment 39-13967 (70 FR 7174, February 11, 2005), corrected on March 11, 2005 (70 FR 12119).
Except as provided by paragraph (g) of this AD: Before the accumulation of 43,000 total flight cycles, or within 5,000 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Replace the aft pressure bulkhead at STA 1582 with a new bulkhead, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 767-53A0139, dated November 12, 2009. Accomplishing the replacement in this paragraph terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g) of this AD. Accomplishing the replacement in this paragraph also terminates the inspections required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of AD 2004-05-16, Amendment 39-13511 (69 FR 10917, March 9, 2004), and paragraphs (f) and (h) of AD 2005-03-11, Amendment 39-13967 (70 FR 7174, February 11, 2005), corrected on March 11, 2005 (70 FR 12119).
