# Proposed AD FAA-2015-0246: The Boeing Company Airplanes

- Type: Proposed airworthiness directive (not in force)
- Status: Became AD 2016-09-13
- Products: Boeing
- Product type: Aircraft
- Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
- Published: February 24, 2015, 80 FR 9667
- Comments due: April 10, 2015
- Became: [AD 2016-09-13](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2016-09-13)
- Docket: FAA-2015-0246 (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2015-0246, where comments are filed)
- Project: 2014-NM-187-AD
- FR document: 2015-03677
- Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/fb/f6/fbf66502286846fede2f9dec45a69460682940d682877b053e42b3a8b922542a (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2015-02-24/pdf/2015-03677.pdf)
- Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/02/24/2015-03677/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/034C48FEE12ADA3F86257DF6005010A3.0001
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/proposed/FAA-2015-0246

## Summary

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of fatigue cracking found at the left-side and right-side upper frame, at a certain area. This proposed AD would require repetitive medium frequency eddy current (MFEC) inspections for cracking of the left-side and right-side upper frame, and repair (including open hole high frequency eddy current (HFEC) inspections for cracking of fastener holes) if necessary. This proposed AD also provides an optional preventative modification which would terminate the repetitive inspections at the modified location. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking, which if not corrected, can grow in size and result in a severed frame, which could lead to rapid decompression and reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

## Notices in this docket

- Feb 24, 2015: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). (first notice), FR document 2015-03677, comments due Apr 10, 2015 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/02/24/2015-03677/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes)

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