{"abstract":"The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD), which applies to all Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. That AD currently requires repetitive inspections for discrepancies of the fuselage skin under the dorsal fin assembly, and repairing if necessary. This new AD requires an inspection for any chafing or crack in the fuselage skin and abrasion resistant coating at the dorsal fin landing, an inspection for damage to the dorsal fin seals, attach clip, and seal retainer, and other specified and corrective actions as necessary. The new requirements will end the need for the existing repetitive inspections. This AD results from a report of an 18-inch crack found in the fuselage skin area under the blade seals of the nose cap of the dorsal fin due to previous wear damage, and additional reports of fuselage skin wear. We are issuing this AD to prevent discrepancies of the fuselage skin, which could result in fatigue cracking due to cabin pressurization and consequent rapid in- flight decompression of the airplane fuselage.","action":"Final rule.","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION","name":"Transportation Department","id":492,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/transportation-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/492","parent_id":null,"slug":"transportation-department"},{"raw_name":"Federal Aviation Administration","name":"Federal Aviation Administration","id":159,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/federal-aviation-administration","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/159","parent_id":492,"slug":"federal-aviation-administration"}],"body_html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/html/2009/04/09/E9-7159.html","cfr_references":[{"chapter":null,"citation_url":null,"part":39,"title":14}],"citation":"74 FR 16108","comment_url":null,"comments_close_on":null,"correction_of":null,"corrections":[],"dates":"This AD becomes effective May 14, 2009.","disposition_notes":null,"docket_ids":["Docket No. FAA-2008-0412","Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-346-AD","Amendment 39-15870","AD 2009-07-11"],"dockets":[],"document_number":"E9-7159","effective_on":"2009-05-14","end_page":16111,"executive_order_notes":null,"executive_order_number":null,"explanation":null,"full_text_xml_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/xml/2009/04/09/E9-7159.xml","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2009/04/09/E9-7159/airworthiness-directives-boeing-model-737-300--400-and--500-series-airplanes","images":{},"images_metadata":{},"json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/documents/E9-7159?publication_date=2009-04-09","mods_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/metadata/granule/FR-2009-04-09/E9-7159/mods.xml","not_received_for_publication":null,"page_length":4,"page_views":{"count":100,"last_updated":"2026-04-04 20:15:04 -0400"},"pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2009-04-09/pdf/E9-7159.pdf","presidential_document_number":null,"proclamation_number":null,"public_inspection_pdf_url":null,"publication_date":"2009-04-09","raw_text_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/text/2009/04/09/E9-7159.txt","regulation_id_number_info":{"2120-AA64":{"issue":"202504","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2120-AA64/airworthiness-directives","title":"Airworthiness Directives","xml_url":"http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=202504&RIN=2120-AA64&operation=OPERATION_EXPORT_XML","priority_category":"Routine and Frequent"}},"regulation_id_numbers":["2120-AA64"],"regulations_dot_gov_info":{},"regulations_dot_gov_url":null,"significant":false,"signing_date":null,"start_page":16108,"subtype":null,"title":"Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes","toc_doc":"Boeing Model 737 300,  400, and  500 Series Airplanes","toc_subject":"Airworthiness Directives:","topics":["Air transportation","Aircraft","Aviation safety","Incorporation by reference","Safety"],"type":"Rule","volume":74}