Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-14649 · Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes
Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes
This AD applies to certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, line numbers 1 through 3132 inclusive, certificated in any category.
The FAA is superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, - 400, and -500 series airplanes. The existing AD currently requires initial and repetitive inspections of the elevator tab assembly to find any damage or discrepancy; and corrective actions if necessary. This new AD adds certain new inspections and removes certain existing inspections. This AD results from additional reports of airframe vibrations of the elevator tab during flight on airplanes inspected per the existing AD; subsequently, considerable damage was done to the elevator tab, elevator, and horizontal stabilizer. In several incidents, a portion of the elevator tab separated from the airplane. We are issuing this AD to prevent excessive in-flight vibrations of the elevator tab, which could lead to loss of the elevator tab and consequent loss of controllability 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.
Do the applicable initial detailed/free-play inspections of the elevator tab assembly on the left and right sides of the airplane to find any damage or discrepancy per Work Package I of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-55A1070, Revision 1, dated May 10, 2001; at the times specified in paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD, as applicable. Repeat the free-play inspections after that at intervals not to exceed 1,500 flight cycles or 2,000 flight hours, whichever comes first, per either Work Package II or Work Package III of the service bulletin, until paragraph (i) of this AD has been accomplished.
Note 1: There is a one-way interchangeability between the free-play inspections specified in Work Packages II and III. The repetitive free-play inspections specified in Work Package II can be replaced by the repetitive free-play inspections specified in Work Package III at the repetitive inspection intervals specified in paragraph (f) of this AD. But the repetitive free-play inspections specified in Work Package III cannot be replaced by the repetitive free-play inspections specified in Work Package II.
(1) For airplanes having less than 4,500 total flight cycles as of February 19, 2002 (the effective date of AD 2002-01-01): Before the accumulation of 4,500 total flight cycles or within 120 days after February 19, 2002, whichever comes later.
(2) For airplanes having 4,500 or more total flight cycles as of February 19, 2002: Do the inspections at the times specified in paragraph (f)(2)(i) or (f)(2)(ii) of this AD, as applicable.
(i) Within 120 days after February 19, 2002.
(ii) If the initial inspections were done before February 19, 2002, per Boeing All Operator Telex M-7200-00-00034, dated February 15, 2000: Within 1,500 flight cycles or 2,000 flight hours after February 19, 2002, whichever comes later.
Note 2: Initial inspections done before February 19, 2002, per Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-55A1070, dated January 13, 2000, are considered acceptable for compliance with the initial inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD.
(g) Within 4,500 flight cycles or 6,000 flight hours, whichever comes first, after doing the initial inspections required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Do the free-play inspections of the elevator tab assembly on the left and right sides of the airplane to find any damage or discrepancy per Work Package III of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-55A1070, Revision 1, dated May 10, 2001. Repeat the inspections after that at intervals not to exceed 4,500 flight cycles or 6,000 flight hours, whichever comes first, until paragraph (i) of this AD has been accomplished.
If any damage or discrepancy is found after doing any inspection required by paragraph (f) or (g) of this AD, before further flight, do the applicable corrective action per the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-55A1070, Revision 1, dated May 10, 2001.
(i) Do the applicable inspections of the elevator tab assembly on the left and right sides of the airplane to find any damage or discrepancy by doing all the actions, including rework and all corrective actions, as specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-55A1070, Revision 2, dated April 20, 2006, except as provided by paragraphs (j) and (k) of this AD. Do the applicable actions at the applicable time specified in Table 1, Table 2, or Table 3 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of the service bulletin; except that where the service bulletin specifies a time frame “after the release date” of the service bulletin, this AD requires compliance within the specified compliance time after the effective date of this AD. All corrective actions must be done before further flight. Repeat the inspections specified in Table 3 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of the service bulletin at the applicable time specified in the table. Accomplishing the actions required by paragraph (i) of this AD ends the requirements of paragraphs (f), (g), and (h) of this AD.
(j) If any damage or discrepancy is found during any inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD, and the service bulletin specifies to contact Boeing for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph of (m) of this AD.
(k) Where Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-55A1070, Revision 1, dated May 10, 2001, or Revision 2, dated April 20, 2006, specifies reporting the inspection results to the manufacturer, this AD does not require such reporting.
Footnote (a) in Table 1 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin 737-55A1070, Revision 2, specifies the following: “For airplanes on which the initial actions required by Table 1 are due within 30 days after the release date of Service Bulletin 737-55A1070, Revision 2, the inspections and corrective actions defined by Service Bulletin 737-55A1070 Rev. 1 may be used.” This paragraph of this AD provides a corresponding 30-day deferral before Revision 2 must be used to do the initial actions, except that the 30-day time frame begins at the effective date of this AD.
