AD 2022-08-12 Prompted By Reports Of Bolt Rotation In The Engine Drag Fitting Joint...

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-21-17, which applied to all The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes.

AD 2020-21-17 required repetitive inspections for skin cracking and shim migration at the upper link drag fittings, diagonal brace cracking, and fastener looseness; and applicable on-condition actions. This AD was prompted by reports of bolt rotation in the engine drag fitting joint and fastener heads and cracks found in the skin of the fastener holes, and the need to reduce the compliance time for certain groups. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2020-21-17 with reduced compliance times for certain airplane groups. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective June 10, 2022.

Supplementary Information: The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2020-21-17, Amendment 39-21290 (85 FR 79418, December 10, 2020) (AD 2020-2117). AD 2020-21-17 applied to all The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on September 9, 2021 (86 FR 50485). The NPRM was prompted by reports of bolt rotation in the engine drag fitting joint and fastener heads and cracks found in the skin of the fastener holes, and the need to reduce the compliance time for certain groups. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain the requirements of AD 2020-21-17 with reduced compliance times for certain airplane groups. The FAA is issuing this AD to address cracking in the wing upper skin and forward drag fittings, which could lead to a compromised upper link and reduced structural integrity of the engine strut, and possible separation of a strut and engine from the airplane during flight.

FMI: www.regulations.gov