Summary
We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to The Boeing Company Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections of the fuselage skin and bear strap at the forward, upper corner of the L1 entry door cutout for cracking, and repair if necessary. That action also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections. Since we issued that AD, we have received reports of additional cracking in the fuselage skin. This proposed AD would add inspections for airplanes having repairs or preventative modifications installed and supplemental inspections for certain airplanes. This proposed AD also would add airplanes to the applicability. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking of the fuselage skin and bear strap at the forward, upper corner of the L1 entry door cutout, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the L1 entry door and consequent rapid decompression of the airplane.