Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11877 · Boeing Model 737-200 and -300 Series Airplanes Equipped with a Main Deck Cargo Door Installed in Accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2969SO
Boeing Model 737-200 and -300 Series Airplanes Equipped with a Main Deck Cargo Door Installed in Accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2969SO
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2001-08-07. Comply with the one in force.
Model 737-200 and -300 series airplanes equipped with a main deck cargo door installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2969SO, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been otherwise 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 (b) 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 document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting airworthiness directive (AD) 2000-17-51 that was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of certain Boeing Model 737-200 and -300 series airplanes by individual notices. This AD supersedes an existing AD to require a one-time inspection to detect cracks of the lower frames and reinforcing angles of the main deck cargo door where the door latch fittings attach between certain fuselage stations and water lines, and replacement of any cracked part with a new part having the same part number. This action is prompted by reports that, during the inspections required by the existing AD, cracks were found in the reinforcing angles of the main deck cargo door frame. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct cracking of the lower portion of the main deck cargo door frames, which could result in sudden depressurization, loss or opening of the main deck cargo door during flight, and loss of control of the airplane.
To detect and correct cracking of the lower portion of the main deck cargo door frames, which could result in sudden depressurization, loss or opening of the main deck cargo door during flight, and loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within 7 days after the effective date of this AD, perform a one-time high frequency eddy current inspection to detect cracks of the lower frames and reinforcing angles of the main deck cargo door where the door latch fittings attach between fuselage station (FS) 361.87 and FS 498.12 and water line (WL) 202.35 and WL 213.00, in accordance with the inspection procedures specified in paragraph 3.D.(1) of the Accomplishment Instructions of Pemco Service Bulletin 737-52-0037, including Attachment 1, dated August 10, 2000. If any crack is detected, prior to further flight, replace the cracked part with a new part having the same part number, in accordance with paragraph 3.D.(2) of the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.
