EASA AD US-2019-14-15
Fuselage - Stub Beams - Inspection
Summary
Airworthiness Directive 2019-14-15 issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) addresses inspection requirements for the stub beams of the fuselage on all Boeing 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This directive mandates repetitive inspections for cracking in the webs and chords of the stub beams at specified fuselage stations, including new inspection locations, and requires applicable on-condition corrective actions to maintain airworthiness.
What Changed
This AD supersedes AD 2017-25-12 by expanding the inspection requirements to include additional fuselage stations, specifically fuselage station 685, and introduces repetitive inspections for existing repairs at certain locations. It also clarifies that installation of Supplemental Type Certificate ST01219SE does not affect compliance with the AD. The directive maintains the requirement for repetitive inspections and on-condition actions to address cracking issues.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses structural integrity concerns related to cracking in the fuselage stub beams, which if uncorrected, could lead to loss of airframe structural integrity, main landing gear collapse, and pressure deck failure. Operators, maintenance, and compliance teams must ensure adherence to these inspection requirements to prevent potential in-flight structural failures and maintain regulatory compliance.
What To Do
Operators of affected Boeing 737-100 through -500 series airplanes must perform repetitive inspections for cracking at specified fuselage stations, including the newly added STA 685, and inspect existing repairs as required. They must also carry out any on-condition corrective actions identified during inspections. Compliance with this AD is mandatory by the effective date of September 19, 2019, and inspections must be repeated as specified in the Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1364, Revision 1.
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