AD 59-13-06

final rule

Airworthiness Directives; DOUGLAS DC-6A and DC-6B

AD Number
59-13-06
Status
final_rule
Effective Date
Product Category
aircraft
Docket
Unknown
FR Citation
This information is not available.

Applicability

TypeManufacturerModelDetails
aircraft The Boeing Company DC-6A Airworthiness Directives; DOUGLAS DC-6A and DC-6B
aircraft The Boeing Company DC-6B Airworthiness Directives; DOUGLAS DC-6A and DC-6B

Unsafe Condition

Cracks have been reported in the lower front spar cap at wing Station 30 at the intersection of the lower front spar cap aft tang and wing-to-fuselage attach angle. Cracks could also occur in the lower center spar cap due to structural similarity.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Required Actions

Inspect lower front spar caps within 200 flight-hours of the nearest maintenance inspection period if not inspected within the last 1,250 flying hours. Subsequent inspections must occur every 1,250 flying hours. Enlarge holes and install new attachments using KIT 'A' (Douglas SB A-821 or equivalent) during the first 1,250-hour inspection and next overhaul. If cracks are found, perform temporary rework with KIT 'B' and repeat inspections every 1,250 hours for up to 3,200 flight-hours, then permanent rework with KIT 'C'. All aircraft must complete permanent rework within 6,400 flying hours. After KIT 'C', revert to 3,200-hour inspection intervals.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Compliance Time

Compliance required as indicated.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Affected Aircraft

Douglas DC-6A (serial numbers 43296, 43297, 43817-43819, 43839-43841, 44063, 44064, 44069-44073, 44076, 44257) and DC-6B (serial numbers 43257-43259, 43261-43276, 43291, 43292, 43298-43300, 43518-43537, 43539-43547, 43549-43555, 43557-43564, 43738-43741, 43743-43746, 43748-43750, 43820-43822, 43824-43826, 43828-43834, 43836, 43837, 43842, 43844-43847, 44056-44062, 44080-44083, 44087-44089, 44102-44113, 44165-44168, 44251). Excludes serial numbers 43548 and 43152 under U.S. registry.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Federal Register Abstract

Lower Front Spar Cap

Applicability Source Text

Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_59-13-06.html
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AD Number:
59-13-06
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; DOUGLAS DC-6A and DC-6B
Subject:
Lower Front Spar Cap
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
Effective Date:
Make:
The Boeing Company
Model:
DC-6A | DC-6B
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Large Airplane
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39
Comments:
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 59-13-06
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:  

AD NUMBER:   59-13-06

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; DOUGLAS DC-6A and DC-6B

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:  

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
59-13-06 DOUGLAS: Applies to the Following Aircraft: DC-6A Serial Numbers 43296, 43297, 43817-43819, 43839-43841, 44063, 44064, 44069-44073, 44076, 44257. DC-6B Serial Number 43257-43259, 43261-43276, 43291, 43292, 43298-43300, 43518-43537, 43539-43547, 43549-43555, 43557-43564, 43738-43741, 43743-43746, 43748-43750, 43820-43822, 43824-43826, 43828-43834, 43836, 43837, 43842, 43844-43847, 44056-44062, 44080-44083, 44087-44089, 44102-44113, 44165-44168 and 44251.

Compliance required as indicated.

Several instances of lower front spar cap cracks have been reported. The cracks involved are located at wing Station 30 at the intersection of lower front spar cap aft tang and wing-to-fuselage attach angle. To date no cracks have been found in the lower center spar cap; however, due to the similarity of the structure, it is logical to assume that cracks can occur in this cap as well as in the lower front spar cap. To detect cracking of the lower front and center spar cap tangs at intersection with lower fuselage attach angle, the following must be accomplished on affected aircraft having in excess of 12,000 flying hours.

(a) Inspect lower front spar caps at nearest maintenance inspection period to 200 flight-hours unless similar inspection has been conducted within last 1,250 flying hours.

(b) Inspect lower front and center spar caps at maintenance inspection period nearest to each succeeding 1,250 flying hours.

(1) At first 1,250-hour inspection period, holes in aft tank of front spar lower cap and fuselage attach angle should be enlarged and new attachments installed (KIT "A" of Douglas SB A-821 or equivalent).

(2) At next regularly scheduled overhaul period, holes located in forward tank of front spar lower cap should be enlarged and new attachments installed (KIT "A" of Douglas SB A-821 or equivalent).

(c) In event spar cap cracking is found at the 200-hour initial or 1,250-hour repetitive inspection periods, temporary rework per drawing No. 3645935 (KIT "B"), or equivalent, may be accomplished.

With temporary rework installed, inspection must be repeated at the 1,250-hour intervals for a maximum of 3,200 flight-hours at which time permanent rework per drawing No. 5761922 (KIT "C"), or equivalent, must be accomplished.

(d) All aircraft not already reworked per (c) must have permanent rework per drawing No. 5761922 (KIT "C"), or equivalent, accomplished within the next 6,400 flying hours.

(e) After installation of KIT "C", operators may revert to normal repetitive inspection periods not to exceed 3,200 flying hours.

(Douglas Service Bulletin DC-6 No. A-821 dated March 19, 1960, covers this same subject.)

NOTE: This AD is not presently applicable to aircraft Serial Numbers 43548 and 43152 since they are not currently under U. S. registry. However, compliance with this AD will be required at the time application is made for recertification of such aircraft in the U.S.


FOOTER:

Document Text

Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - DRS_59-13-06.html
Copy URL
Print/Save as PDF
Document Versions
 Feedback
Details
AD Number:
59-13-06
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; DOUGLAS DC-6A and DC-6B
Subject:
Lower Front Spar Cap
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
Effective Date:
Make:
The Boeing Company
Model:
DC-6A | DC-6B
Product Type:
Aircraft
Product Subtype:
Large Airplane
Affected AD:
Superseded AD:
Affected By:
Superseded By:
Service/Office:
Office of Primary Responsibility:
CFR Part Reference:
Part 39
Comments:
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 59-13-06
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:  

AD NUMBER:   59-13-06

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; DOUGLAS DC-6A and DC-6B

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:  

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
59-13-06 DOUGLAS: Applies to the Following Aircraft: DC-6A Serial Numbers 43296, 43297, 43817-43819, 43839-43841, 44063, 44064, 44069-44073, 44076, 44257. DC-6B Serial Number 43257-43259, 43261-43276, 43291, 43292, 43298-43300, 43518-43537, 43539-43547, 43549-43555, 43557-43564, 43738-43741, 43743-43746, 43748-43750, 43820-43822, 43824-43826, 43828-43834, 43836, 43837, 43842, 43844-43847, 44056-44062, 44080-44083, 44087-44089, 44102-44113, 44165-44168 and 44251.

Compliance required as indicated.

Several instances of lower front spar cap cracks have been reported. The cracks involved are located at wing Station 30 at the intersection of lower front spar cap aft tang and wing-to-fuselage attach angle. To date no cracks have been found in the lower center spar cap; however, due to the similarity of the structure, it is logical to assume that cracks can occur in this cap as well as in the lower front spar cap. To detect cracking of the lower front and center spar cap tangs at intersection with lower fuselage attach angle, the following must be accomplished on affected aircraft having in excess of 12,000 flying hours.

(a) Inspect lower front spar caps at nearest maintenance inspection period to 200 flight-hours unless similar inspection has been conducted within last 1,250 flying hours.

(b) Inspect lower front and center spar caps at maintenance inspection period nearest to each succeeding 1,250 flying hours.

(1) At first 1,250-hour inspection period, holes in aft tank of front spar lower cap and fuselage attach angle should be enlarged and new attachments installed (KIT "A" of Douglas SB A-821 or equivalent).

(2) At next regularly scheduled overhaul period, holes located in forward tank of front spar lower cap should be enlarged and new attachments installed (KIT "A" of Douglas SB A-821 or equivalent).

(c) In event spar cap cracking is found at the 200-hour initial or 1,250-hour repetitive inspection periods, temporary rework per drawing No. 3645935 (KIT "B"), or equivalent, may be accomplished.

With temporary rework installed, inspection must be repeated at the 1,250-hour intervals for a maximum of 3,200 flight-hours at which time permanent rework per drawing No. 5761922 (KIT "C"), or equivalent, must be accomplished.

(d) All aircraft not already reworked per (c) must have permanent rework per drawing No. 5761922 (KIT "C"), or equivalent, accomplished within the next 6,400 flying hours.

(e) After installation of KIT "C", operators may revert to normal repetitive inspection periods not to exceed 3,200 flying hours.

(Douglas Service Bulletin DC-6 No. A-821 dated March 19, 1960, covers this same subject.)

NOTE: This AD is not presently applicable to aircraft Serial Numbers 43548 and 43152 since they are not currently under U. S. registry. However, compliance with this AD will be required at the time application is made for recertification of such aircraft in the U.S.


FOOTER:

Source: Official FAA Source ↗

Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026

Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain

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