Fuselage - Aft Pressure Bulkhead - Inspection

Published: Oct 12, 2022
Effective: Oct 31, 2022
Deadline: Oct 31, 2022

Boeing 737 600 700 700C 800 900

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

What to do

Operators of affected Boeing 737 models must perform a general visual inspection for existing repairs and conduct repetitive detailed, HFEC, and LFEC inspections of the aft pressure bulkhead web lap splices. Any detected cracks must be repaired according to Boeing's approved procedures. Compliance with this directive is mandatory by October 31, 2022.

Summary

Airworthiness Directive 2022-18-13 is a final rule issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) addressing certain Boeing 737-600, -700, -700C, -800, and -900 series airplanes. It mandates inspections and repairs of the aft pressure bulkhead center dome apex web lap splices due to susceptibility to widespread fatigue damage. The directive requires visual and eddy current inspections and corrective actions to maintain structural integrity.

What changed

This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory general visual inspections for existing repairs, repetitive detailed, high frequency eddy current (HFEC), and low frequency eddy current (LFEC) inspections of the aft pressure bulkhead web lap splices. It also requires repairs if cracks or damage are found. The directive clarifies that installation of Supplemental Type Certificate ST00830SE does not affect compliance.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses potential fatigue cracks that could compromise the structural integrity of the airplane's aft pressure bulkhead. Operators, maintenance, and repair organizations must comply to ensure continued airworthiness and safety. Failure to comply could lead to unsafe flight conditions and regulatory penalties.

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