FAA Pushes Quick Crack Checks on Boeing 737-800 Skins
Published Date: 7/22/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you fly or fix Boeing 737-800 planes, listen up! The FAA wants to speed up safety checks for cracks on the plane’s skin and add new inspections after certain fixes. This means quicker action to keep everyone safe, and it might affect maintenance schedules and costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Faster Inspections for 737-800s
If you operate or maintain Boeing Model 737-800 airplanes, the FAA proposes to shorten the compliance times in Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-08-15 so required inspections for fuselage skin cracking must be done sooner. The inspections target cracking along chem-mill steps at certain crown skin and shear wrinkle areas and still require repair if cracking is found.
Post-Modification Inspections Required
If you perform an optional terminating action (a modification) for the AD on Boeing 737-800 airplanes, the FAA proposes to require post-modification inspections. Those inspections would apply after completing the optional action described in the AD.
Repetitive Inspections and Repairs Continue
The proposed rule keeps the current AD 2013-08-15 requirement for repetitive inspections for cracking of the fuselage skin on certain Model 737-800 airplanes and still requires repair if cracking is found. The inspections focus on chem-mill steps at certain crown skin and shear wrinkle areas.
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