Summary
The FAA proposes to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Boeing Model 747 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the top and side panel webs and panel stiffeners of the nose wheel well (NWW), and corrective actions if necessary. This proposed AD would reduce the interval for certain repetitive inspections and remove a certain optional inspection. This proposed AD would also require replacing the NWW side and top panels with new panels. The replacement would terminate the repetitive inspections. This proposed AD results from the development of a new modification. We are proposing this AD to prevent fatigue cracks in the top and side panel webs and stiffeners of the NWW, which could compromise the structural integrity of the NWW and could lead to the rapid decompression of the airplane.