ADs
Reported by Flight Global, FAA has issued two ADs (Airworthiness Directives), available publicly as of 3 December, following on to inspections it had proposed in May. As reported, the ADs were “prompted by reports that shimming requirements were not met during the assembly of certain structural joints, which can result in reduced fatigue thresholds” as well as resulting in cracking of some structural joints.
“Fatigue cracking… could weaken primary structure so it cannot sustain limit load" (the article further attributes to the ADs). As reported, one AD requires airlines to inspect “for cracking of certain areas of the aft wheel well bulkhead body chord and… side-fitting and fail-safe straps, and repair of any cracking found”. The other “requires repetitive inspections for cracking of certain areas of the front spar pickle fork and front spar outer chord, and repair”.
Not least, the article notes, however dryly, that the "Chicago airframer" says it “'has determined that these are not immediate safety-of-flight issues'” (Boeing quote exactly as in original).