Action
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-18-08, which applies to certain The Boeing Company Model 737-200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. AD 2013-18-08 requires repetitive inspections for cracking of certain upper and lower skin panels of the fuselage, and of the fuselage skin along certain chem- milled lines, and corrective actions if necessary. AD 2013-18-08 also includes a terminating action for the repetitive inspections of certain modified or repaired areas only. Since the FAA issued AD 2013-18-08, there have been reports of additional cracking in certain horizontal and vertical chem-milled step locations outside of those identified in AD 2013-18-08. This proposed AD would continue to require repetitive inspections for cracking of the fuselage skin along certain chem-milled lines and applicable on-condition actions, and would expand the inspection area. This AD would continue to provide terminating action for repetitive inspections of certain modified or repaired areas. This proposed AD would also add airplanes to the applicability. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.