EASA AD US-2021-25-05
Fuselage - Crown Skin Panels - Inspection / Replacement
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive 2021-25-05 addresses safety concerns for The Boeing Company Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This directive focuses on inspecting and replacing fuselage crown skin panels that are susceptible to widespread fatigue damage, which could compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft.
What Changed
This AD supersedes AD 2017-23-02 by retaining previous inspection and replacement requirements while revising airplane configurations and inspection locations. It also expands the applicability to include additional Boeing 737 models and clarifies that installation of Supplemental Type Certificate STC ST01219SE does not affect compliance.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses the risk of fuselage crown skin panel cracking that could lead to decompression or structural failure. Operators and maintenance teams must ensure timely inspections and repairs to maintain airworthiness and comply with FAA safety regulations, thereby preventing potential accidents.
What To Do
Operators of affected Boeing 737 models must perform repetitive non-destructive inspections and replace fuselage crown skin panels as specified in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1358, Revision 1. For Group 43 airplanes, inspections and any necessary on-condition actions must be completed within 120 days of February 22, 2022. Compliance with all required actions must follow the specified timelines to ensure continued airworthiness.
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