AD/B747/342 Main Entry Door No. 3 Fuselage Cutout (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/B747/342 Main Entry Door No. 3 Fuselage Cutout 6/2006

Applicability:

Model 747-100, -100B, -100B SUD, -200B, -200C, -300, -400, -400D, and 747SR series aircraft.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the technical requirements of FAA AD 2006-06-10 Amdt 39-14519.

Note:  Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 747-53A2512 Revision 1, or later FAA approved revision, refers.

Compliance:

As specified in the Requirement document, with a revised effective date of
8 June 2006.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 8 June 2006.

Background:

The FAA received reports of cracks in the skin and bearstrap at the upper aft corner and at the lower forward corner of the fuselage cutout at main entry door 3.  Undetected cracking could propagate and result in rapid decompression of the aircraft. 

Richard Castles
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

18 April 2006