Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15515 · Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes
Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 Series Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2008-10-09 R1. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD requires revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new inspections. Compliance with these inspections is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in the areas addressed by these inspections, the operator may not be able to accomplish the inspections described in the revisions. In this situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) according to paragraph (k) of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the required inspections that will ensure the continued operational safety of the airplane.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model 737-100, -200, -200C, -300, -400, and -500 series airplanes. This AD requires revising the FAA-approved maintenance program to incorporate new airworthiness limitations (AWLs) for fuel tank systems to satisfy Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 88 requirements. This AD also requires the initial inspection of a certain repetitive AWL inspection to phase in that inspection, and repair if necessary. This AD results from a design review of the fuel tank system. We are issuing this AD to prevent the potential for ignition sources inside fuel tanks caused by latent failures, alterations, repairs, or maintenance actions, which, in combination with flammable fuel vapors, could result in a fuel tank explosion and consequent loss 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 “Revision March 2008 of Document D6-38278-CMR,” as used in this AD, means Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D6-38278-CMR, Revision March 2008.
Before December 16, 2008, revise the FAA-approved maintenance program to incorporate the information specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, as applicable; except that the initial inspection required by paragraph (h) of this AD must be done at the applicable compliance time specified in that paragraph. Accomplishing the revision in accordance with a later revision of Document D6-38278-CMR is an acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.
(1) For Model 737-100, -200, and -200C series airplanes: Section C, “FUEL SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,” including AWLs No. 28-AWL-01 through No. 28-AWL-20 inclusive, of Revision March 2008 of Document D6-38278-CMR. As an optional action, AWLs No. 28-AWL-21 through No. 28-AWL-23 inclusive, as identified in Section C of Revision March 2008 of Document D6-38278-CMR, also may be incorporated into the FAA-approved maintenance program.
(2) For Model 737-300, -400, and -500 series airplanes: Section C, “FUEL SYSTEMS AIRWORTHINESS LIMITATIONS,” including AWLs No. 28-AWL-01 through No. 28-AWL-19 inclusive, Revision March 2008 of Document D6-38278-CMR. As an optional action, AWLs No. 28-AWL-20 through No. 28-AWL-22 inclusive, as identified in Section C of Revision March 2008 of Document D6-38278-CMR, also may be incorporated into the FAA-approved maintenance program.
For the airplanes identified in the “Applicability” column of AWL No. 28-AWL-03 of Section C of Revision March 2008 of Document D6-38278-CMR: At the later of the compliance times specified in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) of this AD, do a special detailed inspection of the lightning shield to ground termination on the out-of-tank fuel quantity indication system (FQIS) wiring to verify functional integrity, in accordance with AWL No. 28-AWL-03 of Section C of Revision March 2008 of Document D6-38278-CMR. If any discrepancy is found during the inspection, repair the discrepancy before further flight in accordance with AWL No. 28-AWL-03 of Section C of Revision March 2008 of Document D6-38278-CMR. Accomplishing the actions required by this paragraph in accordance with a later revision of Document D6-38278-CMR is an acceptable method of compliance if the revision is approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO. Accomplishing AWL No. 28-AWL-03 as part of an FAA-approved maintenance program before the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD constitutes compliance with the requirements of this paragraph.
Note 2: For the purposes of this AD, a special detailed inspection is: “An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. The examination is likely to make extensive use of specialized inspection techniques and/or equipment. Intricate cleaning and substantial access or disassembly procedure may be required.”
(1) Within 120 months since the date of issuance of the original standard airworthiness certification or the date of issuance of the original export certificate of airworthiness.
(2) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.
(i) After accomplishing the actions specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD, no alternative inspections, inspection intervals, or CDCCLs may be used unless the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are part of a later revision of Revision March 2008 of Document D6-38278-CMR that is approved by the Manager, Seattle ACO; or unless the inspections, intervals, or CDCCLs are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
Actions done before the effective date of this AD in accordance with the Boeing 737-100/200/200C/300/400/500 Airworthiness Limitations (AWLs) and Certification Maintenance Requirements (CMRs), D6-38278-CMR, Revision May 2006; Revision September 2006; or Revision November 2007; are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding requirements of paragraphs (g) and (h) of this AD.
