AD NUMBER: 2018-19-20

PRODUCT: Certain Boeing Model 737-200, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-25-06, which applied to the aircraft listed above.

AD 2010-25-06 required repetitive inspections for cracking of certain fuselage frames and stub beams, and corrective actions if necessary.

AD 2010-25-06 also provided for an optional repair, which terminated the repetitive inspections. For airplanes on which a certain repair was done, AD 2010-25-06 also required repetitive inspections for cracking of certain fuselage frames and stub beams, and corrective actions if necessary.

This AD retains the actions required by AD 2010-25-06 and expands the inspection area. This AD was prompted by additional cracking found in areas not covered by the inspections in AD 2010-25-06.

DATES: This AD is effective October 31, 2018.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 67 airplanes of U.S. registry. The cost of compliance is estimated as follows:

• Inspections - Up to 67 work-hours × $85 per hour = $5,695 per inspection cycle.
• Repairs/replacements - Up to 76 work-hours × $85 per hour = $6,460* per aircraft

* All required parts are supplied by the operator. This cost is minimal, and the FAA has no way to determine what an operator would pay for these parts. The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable us to provide cost estimates for certain other repairs specified in this AD.

FMI: AD