Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-14164 · 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Superseded.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 2012-26-02. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1234, Revision 1, dated March 31, 2005.
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of the crown area of the fuselage skin, and corrective actions if necessary. This AD is prompted by a Model 737 fuselage structure test and fatigue analysis that indicate fuselage skin cracking could occur between 21,000 and 42,000 total flight cycles. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct fatigue cracking of the fuselage skin, which could cause the fuselage skin to fracture and fail, and could result in rapid decompression of the airplane.
You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
The term “service bulletin,” as used in this AD, means Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1234, Revision 1, dated March 31, 2005.
At the later of the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD, perform detailed and eddy current inspections for cracking of the crown area of the fuselage skin in accordance with Part 1, including the “Note,” of the Work Instructions of the service bulletin, except as provided by paragraph (j) of this AD.
(1) Before the accumulation of the applicable total flight cycles specified in the “Threshold” column of Table 1 of Figure 1 of the service bulletin.
(2) Within 4,500 flight cycles after the effective date of this AD.
(h) Repeat either the detailed or eddy current inspections specified in paragraph (g) of this AD at the applicable intervals specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD until paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD has been done, as applicable.
(1) Repeat the detailed inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,200 flight cycles.
(2) Repeat the eddy current inspections thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3,000 flight cycles.
(i) If any cracking is found during any inspection required by paragraph (g) or (h) of this AD, do the actions specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (i)(2) of this AD in accordance with the service bulletin, except as provided by paragraphs (j) and (k) of this AD.
(1) Before further flight, do a permanent repair (including related investigative actions and applicable corrective actions) in accordance with Part 2 of the Work Instructions of the service bulletin. Doing a permanent repair ends the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (h) of this AD for the repaired area only.
(2) Do the actions specified in paragraphs (i)(2)(i) and (i)(2)(ii) of this AD at the time specified in the applicable paragraph. Doing a time-limited repair ends the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (h) of this AD for the repaired area only.
(i) Before further flight, do a time-limited repair (including related investigative actions and applicable corrective actions) in accordance with Part 3 of the Work Instructions of the service bulletin.
(ii) At the times specified in Figure 8 of the service bulletin, do the related investigative and corrective actions in accordance with Part 3 of the Work Instructions of the service bulletin.
Where the service bulletin specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair according to a method approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA; or according to data meeting the certification basis of the airplane approved by an Authorized Representative for the Boeing Delegation Option Authorization Organization who has been authorized by the Manager, Seattle ACO, to make those findings. For a repair method to be approved, the approval must specifically reference this AD.
Although the service bulletin specifies reporting certain information to Boeing, this AD does not require that action.
Actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with Boeing Special Attention Service Bulletin 737-53-1234, dated June 13, 2002, are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions required by this AD.
