Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-16- 05, which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. AD 2018-16-05 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 retains the actions required by AD 2018-16-05, reduces the compliance times for certain inspections, and adds repetitive inspections at certain fastener hole locations and applicable on-condition actions. This AD was prompted by reports of bolt rotation in the engine drag fitting joint and fastener heads; an inspection of the fastener holes revealed that cracks were found in the skin. This AD was also prompted by a report of multiple cracks in the drag fitting at fastener holes found during an inspection required by AD 2018-16-05. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.