AD 73-20-02
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | Transcontinental and Western Air, Inc. | Army B-17F | BOEING Model B-17F & G Airplanes |
| aircraft | Transcontinental and Western Air, Inc. | Army B-17G | BOEING Model B-17F & G Airplanes |
Unsafe Condition
Cracking in the front spar lower cap center section, part number 753424-2, around the bolt hole in both the forward and aft wall of the tube, particularly at the top and bottom portions.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Remove the most inboard bolt from the 8 bolt pattern, inspect using eddy current or borescope with dye penetrants for cracks. Replace or repair if cracks found, install access panels as needed, and reinspect at intervals not exceeding 50 hours' time-in-service or 12 months. For reamed holes, reinspect within 1500 flight hours and revert to 150-hour interval thereafter.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
Within the next 25 hours' time-in-service or within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished within the last 25 hours' time-in-service or 6 months.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
BOEING Model B-17F & G airplanes certificated in all categories.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
Front Spar Lower Cap Center Section
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_73-20-02.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 73-20-02 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: BOEING Model B-17F & G Airplanes Subject: Front Spar Lower Cap Center Section Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: Effective Date: 01/26/1979 Make: Transcontinental and Western Air, Inc. Model: Army B-17F | Army B-17G Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Large Airplane Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: Office of Primary Responsibility: CFR Part Reference: Part 39 Comments: AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 73-20-02 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: 39-3393 AD NUMBER: 73-20-02 SUBJECT HEADING: BOEING Model B-17F & G Airplanes ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: Effective January 26, 1979. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 73-20-02 BOEING: Amendment 39-1722 as amended by Amendment 39-2763 is further amended by amendment 39-3393. Applies to all B-17F & G airplanes certificated in all categories. Compliance required within the next 25 hours' time-in-service or within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished within the last 25 hours' time-in-service or 6 months, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours' time-in-service or 12 months, whichever comes first, (from the last inspection). To detect cracking in the front spar lower cap center section, P/N 753424-2, accomplish the following: (a) Remove the most inboard bolt from the 8 bolt pattern attaching the front spar center section lower chord P/N 753424-2 to the terminal plates, P/N 56-3852-500 (aft) and 46-3852 (forward), left and right-hand sides. The bolt is approximately 8 inches inboard of the inboard jack pad. Using eddy current inspection procedures, or borescope methods in conjunction with dye penetrants, inspect the front spar lower chord center section for cracks around the bolt hole in both the forward and aft wall of the tube. Particular attention should be given to the top and bottom portion of the tube. Removal of the bolt may necessitate installation of an access panel in the wing fillet fairing just forward of the front spar. The access panels may be installed using the procedures of FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-2. (b) If cracks are found, replace the spar cap with a serviceable part of the same part number, or repair in accordance with Army T.O. No. 01-20E-3 or other method approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA Northwest Region. (c) After repairs per (b) have been accomplished, reinspect in accordance with (a) at intervals not to exceed 150 hours time-in-service or every 12 months, whichever comes first. (d) The bolt holes described in paragraph (a) above may be reamed .063 inch oversize for a close tolerance oversize bolt, provided no cracks are detected when the chords are inspected in accordance with paragraph (a) above using the eddy current inspection methods. Any holes reworked with the oversize bolts must be reinspected in accordance with (a) above within 1500 flight hours after such rework. Upon accumulation of 1500 flight hours on the reworked holes, the repeat inspection interval reverts to the interval specified in (c) above. (e) Any new replacement beam chords must be inspected within 2500 flight hours after installation and thereafter at intervals specified in paragraph (c) above. Amendment 39-1722 became effective upon publication in the Federal Register. Amendment 39-2763 became effective November 17, 1976. This amendment 39-3393 becomes effective January 26, 1979. FOOTER:
Document Text
Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - DRS_73-20-02.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 73-20-02 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: BOEING Model B-17F & G Airplanes Subject: Front Spar Lower Cap Center Section Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: Effective Date: 01/26/1979 Make: Transcontinental and Western Air, Inc. Model: Army B-17F | Army B-17G 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: 73-20-02 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: 39-3393 AD NUMBER: 73-20-02 SUBJECT HEADING: BOEING Model B-17F & G Airplanes ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: Effective January 26, 1979. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 73-20-02 BOEING: Amendment 39-1722 as amended by Amendment 39-2763 is further amended by amendment 39-3393. Applies to all B-17F & G airplanes certificated in all categories. Compliance required within the next 25 hours' time-in-service or within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished within the last 25 hours' time-in-service or 6 months, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours' time-in-service or 12 months, whichever comes first, (from the last inspection). To detect cracking in the front spar lower cap center section, P/N 753424-2, accomplish the following: (a) Remove the most inboard bolt from the 8 bolt pattern attaching the front spar center section lower chord P/N 753424-2 to the terminal plates, P/N 56-3852-500 (aft) and 46-3852 (forward), left and right-hand sides. The bolt is approximately 8 inches inboard of the inboard jack pad. Using eddy current inspection procedures, or borescope methods in conjunction with dye penetrants, inspect the front spar lower chord center section for cracks around the bolt hole in both the forward and aft wall of the tube. Particular attention should be given to the top and bottom portion of the tube. Removal of the bolt may necessitate installation of an access panel in the wing fillet fairing just forward of the front spar. The access panels may be installed using the procedures of FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-2. (b) If cracks are found, replace the spar cap with a serviceable part of the same part number, or repair in accordance with Army T.O. No. 01-20E-3 or other method approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA Northwest Region. (c) After repairs per (b) have been accomplished, reinspect in accordance with (a) at intervals not to exceed 150 hours time-in-service or every 12 months, whichever comes first. (d) The bolt holes described in paragraph (a) above may be reamed .063 inch oversize for a close tolerance oversize bolt, provided no cracks are detected when the chords are inspected in accordance with paragraph (a) above using the eddy current inspection methods. Any holes reworked with the oversize bolts must be reinspected in accordance with (a) above within 1500 flight hours after such rework. Upon accumulation of 1500 flight hours on the reworked holes, the repeat inspection interval reverts to the interval specified in (c) above. (e) Any new replacement beam chords must be inspected within 2500 flight hours after installation and thereafter at intervals specified in paragraph (c) above. Amendment 39-1722 became effective upon publication in the Federal Register. Amendment 39-2763 became effective November 17, 1976. This amendment 39-3393 becomes effective January 26, 1979. FOOTER:
Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026
Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA. Always verify with official sources.