# Proposed AD FAA-2015-3984: The Boeing Company Airplanes

- Type: Proposed airworthiness directive (not in force)
- Status: Became AD 2017-04-08
- Products: Boeing
- Product type: Aircraft
- Action: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM); reopening of comment period.
- Published: November 14, 2016, 81 FR 79395
- Comments due: December 29, 2016
- Became: [AD 2017-04-08](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2017-04-08)
- Docket: FAA-2015-3984 (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2015-3984, where comments are filed)
- Project: 2015-NM-033-AD
- FR document: 2016-22699
- Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/aa/52/aa527bd86054d6113fa154c677fb38f14dd82cd4837495fefb0bb8c2a2d63aa8 (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2016-11-14/pdf/2016-22699.pdf)
- Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/11/14/2016-22699/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/A0AE1D12DF3CD63A8625806B00527DE9.0001
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/proposed/FAA-2015-3984

## Summary

We are revising an earlier proposal to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2008-13-12 R1, for certain The Boeing Company Model 737- 100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. AD 2008-13-12 R1 requires various repetitive inspections for cracking of the upper- frame-to-side-frame splice of the fuselage, and other specified and corrective actions if necessary; and also provides for an optional preventive modification, which would terminate the repetitive inspections. This action revises the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) by adding post-repair/post-modification inspections. We are proposing this SNPRM to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the upper-frame-to-side-frame splice of the fuselage, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the frame and adjacent lap joint, causing increased loading in the fuselage skin, which will accelerate skin crack growth and result in decompression of the airplane. Since these actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the chance to comment on these proposed changes.

## Notices in this docket

- Oct 9, 2015: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). (first notice), FR document 2015-25709, comments due Nov 23, 2015 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/10/09/2015-25709/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes)
- Nov 14, 2016: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM); reopening of comment period., FR document 2016-22699, comments due Dec 29, 2016 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/11/14/2016-22699/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes)

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