Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16038 · Fuselage
Boeing Model 737-300 and 737-400 Series Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2017-10-08. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Boeing Model 737-300 series airplanes as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1168, Revision 3, dated November 28, 2006.
(2) Boeing Model 737-400 series airplanes as identified in Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1187, Revision 2, dated May 9, 2007.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Boeing Model 737-300 and 737-400 series airplanes. This AD requires repetitive inspections to detect cracking of the aft fuselage skin, and related investigative/corrective actions if necessary. This AD results from reports of cracks in the aft fuselage skin on both sides of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking in the aft fuselage skin along the longitudinal edges of the bonded skin doubler, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
At the applicable times specified in Tables 1 and 2 of paragraph 1.E., “Compliance,” of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1168, Revision 3, dated November 28, 2006 (for Model 737-300 series airplanes); or Table 1 of paragraph 1.E., of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1187, Revision 2, dated May 9, 2007 (for Model 737-400 series airplanes); except as provided by paragraph (k) of this AD: Do the applicable inspections and related investigative actions to detect cracks in the aft fuselage skin panels, by accomplishing all of the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1168, Revision 3, dated November 28, 2006; or Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1187, Revision 2, dated May 9, 2007; as applicable; including Note (f) of Table 1 of paragraph 1.E. And, do the applicable corrective actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1168, Revision 3, dated November 28, 2006; or Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1187, Revision 2, dated May 9, 2007; as applicable; except as provided by paragraphs (h), (i), and (l) of this AD. Repeat the applicable inspections and related investigative actions thereafter at the applicable intervals specified in Tables 1 and 2 of paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1168, Revision 3, dated November 28, 2006; or Table 1 of paragraph 1.E. of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1187, Revision 2, dated May 9, 2007; as applicable.
(h) If any crack is found during any inspection or corrective action required by this AD, before further flight, repair in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1168, Revision 3, dated November 28, 2006 (for Model 737-300 series airplanes); or Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1187, Revision 2, dated May 9, 2007 (for Model 737-400 series airplanes); except, where Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1168, Revision 3, dated November 28, 2006; or Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1187, Revision 2, dated May 9, 2007; as applicable; specifies to contact Boeing, before further flight, repair according to a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (m) of this AD.
(i) If any cracking of a repaired area is found during any inspection required by this AD, and Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1168, Revision 3, dated November 28, 2006 (for Model 737-300 series airplanes); or Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1187, Revision 2, dated May 9, 2007 (for Model 737-400 series airplanes); specifies contacting Boeing for appropriate action: Before further flight, repair the cracking using a method approved in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (m) of this AD.
Doing the skin panel replacement before the effective date of this AD, in accordance with the service information specified in Table 1 of this AD, as applicable, terminates the inspection requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD for that skin panel only. As of the effective date of this AD, doing the skin panel replacement, in accordance with Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1168, Revision 3, dated November 28, 2006; or Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1187, Revision 2, dated May 9, 2007; as applicable; terminates the inspection requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD for that skin panel only.
| Model | Document |
|---|---|
| Model 737-300 series airplanes | Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1168, dated March 16, 1995. |
| Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1168, Revision 1, dated August 17, 1995. | |
| Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1168, Revision 2, dated November 27, 1996. | |
| Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1168, Revision 3, dated November 28, 2006. | |
| Model 737-400 series airplanes | Part III of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1187, dated November 2, 1995. |
| Part III of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1187, Revision 1, dated January 16, 1997. | |
| Part III of the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1187, Revision 2, dated May 9, 2007. |
Where Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1168, Revision 3, dated November 28, 2006 (for Model 737-300 series airplanes); or Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1187, Revision 2, dated May 9, 2007 (for Model 737-400 series airplanes); specifies compliance times after the release date of those service bulletins, this AD requires that the specified actions be done within the specified compliance times after the effective date of this AD.
Although Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1168, Revision 3, dated November 28, 2006 (for Model 737-300 series airplanes); and Boeing Service Bulletin 737-53-1187, Revision 2, dated May 9, 2007 (for Model 737-400 series airplanes); specify to submit information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include such a requirement.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Aircraft
