Fuselage - Underwing Longerons - Inspection

Published: Oct 29, 2019
Effective: Nov 27, 2019
Deadline: Nov 27, 2019

Boeing 747 400 400F

AI-generated summary of the official EASA document. Verify against the PDF before acting.

What to do

Operators of affected Boeing 747-400 and 747-400F airplanes must perform repetitive inspections of the underwing longerons and adjacent fuselage skins as specified in Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2900 RB. Any cracks found must be repaired following FAA-approved methods. Compliance with this AD is required starting November 27, 2019.

Summary

Federal Register Volume 84, Number 205 (October 23, 2019) Final Rule titled 'Fuselage - Underwing Longerons - Inspection' is an FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD 2019-19-02) applicable to certain Boeing 747-400 and 747-400F series airplanes. It mandates repetitive inspections of the underwing longerons and adjacent fuselage skins to detect fatigue cracks and requires corrective actions if cracks are found.

What changed

This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory repetitive detailed, ultrasonic, and high frequency eddy current inspections of the underwing longerons and adjacent fuselage skin on Boeing 747-400 and 747-400F airplanes. It also requires on-condition repairs to address any detected cracks. The AD incorporates Boeing Alert Requirements Bulletin 747-53A2900 RB dated April 11, 2019, as the service information for compliance.

Why it matters

This AD is critical for aviation professionals because fatigue cracks in the underwing longerons can lead to fuel leakage into the pressurized fuselage, increasing fire risk, and cracks in the fuselage skin can cause rapid decompression. Operators, maintenance, and compliance teams must address these risks to maintain structural integrity and ensure continued airworthiness of affected Boeing 747-400 series aircraft.

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