Summary
This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Boeing Model 767 series airplanes. This proposal would require repetitive inspections of certain H-11 tension bolts at each side-of-body kick-load fitting and on the lower splice plate (both located on the wing rear spar) to detect damaged, broken, or improperly sealed bolts; and follow-on actions, if necessary. This proposal also would require eventual replacement of the existing bolts with new, improved bolts, which constitutes terminating action for the repetitive inspections. This proposal is prompted by a report that an operator found two broken H-11 tension bolts on the side-of-body kick-load fitting on one airplane. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent cracking of the bolts due to stress corrosion, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the wing-to-body joint structure.