# Proposed AD FAA-2016-6664: The Boeing Company Airplanes

- Type: Proposed airworthiness directive (not in force)
- Status: Became AD 2017-03-04
- Products: Boeing
- Product type: Aircraft
- Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
- Published: May 13, 2016, 81 FR 29813
- Comments due: June 27, 2016
- Became: [AD 2017-03-04](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2017-03-04)
- Docket: FAA-2016-6664 (https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FAA-2016-6664, where comments are filed)
- Project: 2015-NM-177-AD
- FR document: 2016-11173
- Official PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/de/04/de045eb6526f0847222d0a735848629fa79fb78f86a50768c1dff01b1d5b8eab (from https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2016-05-13/pdf/2016-11173.pdf)
- Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/05/13/2016-11173/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/D2D3F646656E565D86257FB2004F38DA.0001
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/proposed/FAA-2016-6664

## Summary

We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2012-16- 07, which applies to certain Boeing Model 737-500 series airplanes. AD 2012-16-07 currently requires inspections of the fuselage skin at the chem-milled steps, and repair if necessary. Since we issued AD 2012-16- 07, an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicates that the fuselage skin is subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD), and we have received reports of cracks at the chem-milled steps in the fuselage skin. This proposed AD would add new fuselage skin inspections for cracking, inspections to detect missing or loose fasteners and any disbonding or cracking of bonded doublers, permanent repairs of time- limited repairs, related investigative and corrective actions if necessary, and skin panel replacement. We are proposing this AD to detect and correct cracking on the aft lower lobe fuselage skins, which could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.

## Notices in this docket

- May 13, 2016: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). (first notice), FR document 2016-11173, comments due Jun 27, 2016 (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/05/13/2016-11173/airworthiness-directives-the-boeing-company-airplanes)

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