EASA AD US-2020-05-25: Fuselage - Fuselage Frames - Inspection

What to do

Operators of affected Boeing 757 airplanes must inspect fuselage frames for existing repairs and conduct repetitive HFEC inspections for cracking as specified. They must also perform any required on-condition repairs promptly. Compliance with this directive is mandatory by May 4, 2020, the effective date of the AD.

Summary

Federal Register Volume 85, Number 61 (March 30, 2020) is a final rule airworthiness directive issued by the FAA addressing all Boeing 757-200, -200PF, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes. It mandates inspections of the aft cargo compartment fuselage frames, specifically at station 1460 frame web and inner chord between stringers, due to discovered cracking during maintenance. The directive requires repetitive surface high frequency eddy current inspections and applicable on-condition corrective actions to ensure structural integrity.

What changed

This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory inspections for cracking in the aft cargo compartment frames of Boeing 757 series airplanes. It requires operators to inspect for existing repairs and perform repetitive HFEC inspections on fuselage frames with cargo liner support channels. The directive also sets compliance times and outlines on-condition actions to address any detected cracks.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a structural safety risk that could lead to rapid decompression if undetected cracks propagate. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply to maintain aircraft airworthiness and prevent potential in-flight failures. The inspections and corrective actions help ensure continued structural integrity of the aft cargo frames, safeguarding passenger and crew safety.

What to do

Summary

What changed

Why it matters

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