AD NUMBER: 2018-10-08

PRODUCT: Boeing Model 717-200 airplanes.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2016-09-05, which applied to the aircraft listed above.

AD 2016-09-05 required a detailed inspection for distress of the vertical stabilizer leading edge skin, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary.

It also required, for certain airplanes, repetitive inspections of the front spar cap for any loose or missing fasteners, or any cracking, and related investigative and corrective actions if necessary.

This AD requires repetitive inspections for distress, cracking, and loose or missing fasteners in the vertical stabilizer leading edge skin and front spar cap, with new compliance times for certain airplanes.

This AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer and front spar web.

DATES: This AD is effective May 31, 2018. Comments must be received by May 31, 2018.

COST: The FAA estimates  that this AD affects 106 airplanes of U.S. registry. The cost of compliance is estimated as follows:

• Inspections for distress (retained actions from AD 2016-09-05) - $935 per aircraft per inspection cycle.
• Repetitive inspections for cracking and loose or missing fasteners (retained actions from AD 2016-09- 05) - $595 per aircraft per inspection cycle.
• The new requirements of this AD add no additional economic burden.

FMI: AD