AD/B747/332 Fuselage Stringers at Body Station 460, 480, and 500 Frame Locations (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Boeing 747 Series Aeroplanes

AD/B747/332 Fuselage Stringers at Body Station 460,
480, and 500 Frame Locations 10/2005

Applicability:

Model 747-100B SUD, -200B, -300, -400, and -400D series aircraft; as listed in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2484, dated 26 June 2003.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2005-15-08 Amdt 39-14197.

Note:  Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2484 original issue, or later FAA approved revision, refer.

Compliance:

As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of 29 September 2005.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 29 September 2005.

Background:

The FAA received reports of cracking in fuselage stringers 8L, 8R, 10L, and 10R at body station 460, 480, and 500 frame locations.  Such cracking, if left undetected, could result in fuselage skin cracking that reduces the structural integrity of the skin panel, and consequent rapid depressurisation of the aircraft.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

18 August 2005