Airworthiness Directives; Boeing Model 767-200 and 767-300 Series Airplanes

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 767-200 and 767-300 series airplanes. This AD requires detailed inspections of the aft pressure bulkhead for damage, mid- frequency eddy current (MFEC) and low frequency eddy current (LFEC) inspections of radial web lap splices, tear strap splices, and super tear strap splices for cracking, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from analysis that indicates fatigue cracks of the web lap splice, tear strap splice, or super tear strap splice of the aft bulkhead are expected to occur on certain Boeing Model 767-200 and 767- 300 series airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracks of the aft pressure bulkhead, which could result in rapid decompression of the passenger compartment and possible damage or interference with airplane control systems that penetrate the bulkhead, and consequent loss of controllability of the airplane.