Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-14044 · Boeing Model 737-100, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes
Boeing Model 737-100, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes
This AD applies to all Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes; certified in any category.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracks in the fuselage skin, doubler, bearstrap, and frames surrounding the main, forward, and aft cargo doors; and repair of any cracking. This AD also requires inspections of certain existing repairs for cracking, and related corrective action if cracking is found. This AD is prompted by reports of multiple fatigue cracks in the fuselage skin and bonded skin doubler, bearstrap, and doorway frames surrounding the forward and aft cargo doors. We are issuing this AD to find and fix fatigue cracking in the fuselage skin, doubler, bearstrap, and frames, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the frames, possible loss of a cargo door, and consequent rapid decompression of the fuselage.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Do the applicable detailed, general visual, and low-, mid-, and high-frequency eddy current inspections for cracks in the fuselage skin, doubler, bearstrap, and frames surrounding the main, forward, and aft cargo doors, and for cracks in existing repairs, as specified in Tables 1, 2, and 3, as applicable, of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1228, dated July 10, 2003. Do the inspections at the initial compliance times listed in Tables 1, 2, and 3, as applicable, of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of the service bulletin; except, where the service bulletin specifies a compliance time after the service bulletin date, this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD. Do the inspections in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin. Repeat the inspections within the repetitive inspection intervals listed in Tables 1, 2, 3 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of the service bulletin. Accomplishing the requirements in this paragraph ends the requirements in AD 93-14-10, amendment 39-8634 (58 FR 43547. August 17, 1993).
Note 1: At existing repairs around the forward and aft cargo door cutouts: The location for the specified detailed or mid-frequency eddy current inspections for cracking of the skin or bearstrap is at the outer row of fasteners common to the repair, as illustrated in Figures 8, 9, and 10 of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1228, dated July 10, 2003.
(g) If any crack is found during any inspection: Repair before further flight in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-53A1228, dated July 10, 2003. Where the service bulletin specifies contacting the manufacturer for disposition of certain repair conditions, repair before further flight in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or an Authorized Representative for the Boeing Delegation Option Authorization (DOA) Organization who has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make such findings. For a repair method to be approved, the approval must specifically refer to this AD.
Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD recommends reporting any discrepancies to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
