FAA issues directive to address 13 ""unsafe"" 757-200 jets

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has adopted a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 757-200 aircraft. Around 13 aircraft are estimated to be impacted. An AD is issued when conditions in an aircraft, engine, propeller, or appliance are deemed unsafe and require correction. The FAA said the AD was prompted by reports of cracking in the structure in and around the lavatory service panel. The aircraft will require repeated inspections of the aforementioned service panels, along with inspections of the access pan and attaching structure, for cracks. These parts will need to be reinforced or replaced if necessary, along with the cracked parts being repaired. It said in its directive: ""The stress concentrations in the lavatory service panel access pan, the fuselage skin, and the stringer 22 (S-22R) attachment to the service panel are too high causing fatigue cracking. This condition, if not addressed, could result in an in-flight depressurization of the airplane, and reduced structural integrity of the aircraft."" Boeing is no stranger to the woes of depressurization after the infamous Flight 1282 incident where a 737 MAX 9 jet rapidly depressurized shortly after takeoff on an Alaska Airlines' flight, causing a door plug to blow out. The FAA estimated costs on US operators to be around $8,840 per inspection cycle and reinforcement installation to cost around $92,820. Service pan replacements are expected to cost around $250 for parts and $1,100 per product. The directive will be effective as of July 11, 2024.