EASA AD US-2024-10-07
Fuselage - Fuselage Skin Door Cutout - Inspection / Maintenance Records Check
Summary
Fuselage - Fuselage Skin Door Cutout - Inspection / Maintenance Records Check is a final rule airworthiness directive issued by the FAA affecting all Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. It addresses potential cracks in hidden areas beneath scuff plates in the fuselage skin and bear strap of certain doors, including passenger entry, crew entry, cargo doors, and main deck cargo doors on cargo-modified aircraft.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces mandatory general visual inspections or maintenance records checks for repairs around the fuselage skin door cutout lower corners of specified doors. It also requires on-condition actions such as repetitive eddy current inspections and crack repairs, particularly for Model 757-200 series airplanes modified to cargo configurations under specific supplemental type certificates.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because it addresses structural fatigue cracks that could compromise the integrity of the fuselage skin around door cutouts. Operators, maintenance organizations, and compliance teams must ensure inspections and repairs are performed to maintain airworthiness and prevent potential safety hazards related to door cutout structural failures.
What To Do
Affected operators must perform a general visual inspection or review maintenance records for repairs in the specified fuselage skin door cutout areas by July 19, 2024. If cracks or repairs are found, applicable on-condition inspections and repairs must be conducted. Operators of Model 757-200 aircraft modified to cargo configurations must also inspect the main deck cargo door and other specified doors as outlined in the directive.