Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11521 · Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes
Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2003-03-05. Comply with the one in force.
Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes; line numbers 1001 through 3063 inclusive; certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.
This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400 and -500 series airplanes, that requires replacement, with new parts, of the existing actuators or the rod ends on the existing actuators at wing leading edge slat positions 1, 2, 5, and 6. This amendment is prompted by reports indicating that the rod ends on several leading edge slat actuators have fractured. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracking of the rod ends of the leading edge slat actuators, which could result in uncommanded deployment of the wing leading edge slat and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.
To prevent fatigue cracking of the rod ends on the leading edge slat actuators, which could result in uncommanded deployment of the wing leading edge slat and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: Replace the leading edge slat actuator with an actuator that has a new rod end, or replace the rod end on the existing slat actuator with a new rod end, at slat positions 1, 2, 5, and 6; in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions in Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1211, dated November 19, 1998, or Revision 1, dated December 9, 1999.
(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall install any part having a part number identified in the “Existing Part Number” column of Section 2.E. of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-27A1211, dated November 19, 1998, on any airplane.
