AD NUMBER: 2012-15-15

PRODUCT: Certain Boeing Model 757-200, -200CB, and -300 series airplanes.
SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2012-15-15
ACTION: Final Rule

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. That AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections of the fuselage skin and bear strap at the forward, upper corner of the L1 entrydoor cutout for cracking, and repair if necessary. That action also provides an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

This new AD requires additional inspections for airplanes having repairs or preventative modifications installed and inspections for certain other airplanes. This AD also adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompted by reports of additional cracking in the fuselage skin.

The FAA is issuing 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.

DATES: This AD is effective October 3, 2012.

FMI: AD