Week 6

The FAA issued a new airworthiness directive during March of 2014. This Airworthiness Directive was for Boeing 777 model airplanes for structural cracks near an antenna. This AD will require frequent inspections for cracking and corrosion to the fuselage skin which can cause a rapid decompression or structural failures to the aircraft. Once decompression begins, the aircrafts cabin pressure will begin to equalize with the outside ambient pressure, which at altitudes overs 10,000 can prove to be uneventful for crew and passengers.

14 CFR Part 39
"SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report of cracking in the fuselage skin underneath the satellite communication (SATCOM) antenna adapter. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the visible fuselage skin and doubler if installed, for cracking, corrosion, and any indication of contact of a certain fastener to a bonding jumper, and repair if necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking and corrosion in the fuselage skin, which could lead to rapid decompression and loss of structural integrity of the airplane."

Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration. (2014, March 5). Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgad.nsf/0/d91639a24674ca8f86257c920050edf7/$FILE/2014-05-03.pdf

Aloha Airlines flight 243 experienced an explosive decompression at approximately 24,000 feet. The decompression was caused by a large area of the fuselage becoming disconnected with the aircraft due to an exhausted airframe. This aircraft flew in a highly corrosive environment (salt waters) which should have been maintained with proper inspection by the maintenance personnel. Luckily, the pilots were able to initiate and emergency landing and were able to safely land the airplane. Several passengers were inured and some were in critical condition. One flight crew member was ejected out of the aircraft when the explosion happened and was never found.
http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/summary/aar8903.html
Aircraft Accident Report. (n.d.). Retrieved September 15, 2014.

Corrosion and cracking in the airframe is a serious issue and must be treated with the same respect as any other aircraft maintenance. Failure to due so can result in loss of cabin pressurization whether it be slow or explosive and can cause the crew to become hypoxic and non responsive thus resulting in an aircraft accident like Helios Airways 522.