EASA AD US-2024-05-09
Fuselage - Station 1640 - Maintenance Records Check / Frame Web - Inspection
Summary
Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Directive 2024-05-09 is a final rule addressing certain Boeing 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes. It mandates inspections and maintenance record checks due to a reported crack at fuselage station 1640 frame web near the lower hinge intercostal tee clip center hole of the upper fastener row. The directive aims to ensure structural integrity by detecting and repairing potential cracks.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces requirements for maintenance records checks for existing repairs at fuselage station 1640, repetitive ultrasonic inspections for cracking of the frame web, and applicable on-condition corrective actions. It clarifies inspection applicability for airplanes modified with certain supplemental type certificates and excludes some converted freighter airplanes from inspection requirements. The directive also corrects the location description of the crack and addresses compliance time concerns raised by stakeholders.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a structural safety issue that could compromise the airplane's ability to sustain limit loads. Operators and maintenance organizations must implement the inspections and repairs to prevent potential structural failures. Compliance ensures continued airworthiness and reduces the risk of unscheduled downtime or costly repairs due to undetected cracking.
What To Do
Affected operators must perform a maintenance records check for prior repairs at fuselage station 1640 and conduct repetitive ultrasonic inspections for cracks in the frame web as specified. Any detected cracks require immediate on-condition corrective actions. Compliance with this directive is mandatory by May 8, 2024, the effective date of the AD.
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