A-74-041
NTSB Safety Recommendation — Aviation
Recommendation text
ISSUE AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE WHICH: (A) SPECIFIES NEW TOLERANCES FOR THE VERTICAL DIMENSIONS OF THE BOEING 707/720 STABILIZER TO ELEVATOR FAIR AT THE ELEVATOR HINGE LINE; (B) DESCRIBES PROCEDURES FOR MEASURING AND ESTABLISHING PROPER DIMENSIONS; (C) REQUIRES THAT ALL BOEING 707/720 AIRCRAFT BE INSPECTED, AT THE NEXT SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE VISIT, FOR THE PROPER DIMENSIONAL RELATIONSHIP OF THE STABILIZER TO ELEVATOR FAIR AT THE ELEVATOR HINGE LINE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED, AND (D) REQUIRES THOSE AIRCRAFT FOUND TO HAVE AN OUT-OF-TOLERANCE CONDITION TO BE MODIFIED ACCORDINGTO PRESCRIBED PROCEDURES.
In plain language (FlightFinder summary)
The FAA is urged to issue a mandatory rule requiring all Boeing 707 and 720 aircraft to be inspected during their next scheduled maintenance to check the alignment of the stabilizer and elevator fairing at the hinge line. This directive would establish specific measurement procedures and new allowable limits for this vertical dimension. Aircraft found to be out of specification must then undergo prescribed modifications to correct the issue.
This plain-language summary is written by FlightFinder to explain the recommendation above. It is not the official wording — the verbatim NTSB text is quoted above.
Details
| Status | Closed - Acceptable Action |
|---|---|
| Mode | Aviation |
| Closed | Feb 20, 1975 |
| NTSB number | LAX74AL019 |
| Addressees | FAA |
External links
NTSB safety recommendations are advisory; addressees are not legally required to adopt them. Source: NTSB CAROL (public domain).