Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11245 · Boeing Model 747-400 Series Airplanes
Boeing Model 747-400 Series Airplanes
Model 747-400 series airplanes as listed in Flight Structures Alert Service Bulletins 92FS082-53-A1, 92FS024-53- A1, and 94FS409-53-A2, all dated March 2, 1999, and 94FS448-53-A1, dated February 12, 1999; certificated in any category.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 747-400 series airplanes. This action requires repetitive inspections of the E-42 satellite communications (SATCOM) rack and fuselage (supporting) structure to detect fatigue cracking of the area surrounding the fastener holes, and to detect broken or missing fasteners; and corrective actions, if necessary. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that fatigue cracking and broken and/or missing fasteners were found on the E-42 SATCOM equipment rack structure that attaches to the fuselage structure. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and repair fatigue cracking of the E-42 SATCOM rack and its supporting structure, which could result in the SATCOM equipment falling from the rack, loss of SATCOM capabilities, injury to passengers, and reduced controllability of the airplane.
